This article was co-authored by Guy Reichard. Guy Reichard is an Executive Life Coach and the Founder of HeartRich Coaching & Training, a professional life coaching and inner leadership training provider based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He works with people to create more meaning, purpose, well-being, and fulfillment in their lives. Guy has over 10 years of personal growth coaching and resilience training experience, helping clients enhance and transform their inner worlds, so they can be a more positive and powerful influence on those they love and lead. He is an Adler Certified Professional Coach (ACPC), and is accredited by the International Coach Federation. He earned a BA in Psychology from York University in 1997 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from York University in 2000.
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Everywhere you go in life, it's always helpful to make a good impression on important people such as bosses, college interviewers, or even potential love interests. This means that knowing how to make people like you is an invaluable skill that you will be able to use in every one of your relationships.
Steps
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Learn to be comfortable around yourself. Insecurities such as weight or wealth are overlooked depending on others' opinion of you. If you push past your fear of rejection and accept yourself both physically and morally, it will be much easier to branch out. Realize that you are worthy of love and acceptance, and that you are safe and free to be who you are.
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Go forth and meet people rather than having them come to you. Don't expect them to line up waiting to shake your hand; rather, you must first put yourself in a position where it is easy to start talking to others. Joining clubs, sports, or even simply getting to know your lab partner will open many doors, and future employers may be impressed if you happen to stumble across one.
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Start saying "yes" instead of "no".[1] Someone who is inclined to agree on ideas more often has a more positive connotation in the mind of their peers rather than someone who constantly finds the faults in things. Things to say "yes" to include everything from trying new foods to trying new business ventures, but never things that would make you lose respect (see Step 9).
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Have an interest in everything. Even if you've never had the desire to go to a heavy metal concert, if someone asks you if you'd like to go with them, you really never know until you do it. Besides, having an interest in everything will also give you the advantage of having a shallow knowledge of those things.
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Listen to other people and try to understand their stories. Think of your own story first: You know that you were born and raised in a nice small town, but perhaps your mother left when you were young and so you've always had the tendency to be more clingy. Other people are the same way - many of their traits and quirks can be understood and empathized with if you humanize them enough.
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Practice honesty. Even with an interest in everything, it's okay to voice your opinions, albeit in a non-spiteful manner. Expressing distaste for some things can actually be a positive attribute in the minds of some people; they now know that you will give them an honest opinion when asked.
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Forget all your past reservations and prejudices. Never judge someone before meeting them, as this is the quickest way to lose a potential friend or beneficial relationship, and also the quickest way to lose esteem in someone else's eyes. If faced with inner conflict, always try to imagine yourself on the other end of this prejudice.
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Act as if you're energized even when you feel drained. A deadbeat person is certainly someone you wouldn't want around; therefore, you should always act enthusiastic or at least awake, even if you have the desire to go to sleep at that very moment. Remember that this isn't lying, it's simply displaying a more positive disposition.
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Know when helping someone becomes taking advantage of you. Most people know how it goes - it starts with a small request such as taking a look at someone's PowerPoint presentation, and turns into cleaning their entire house for the company party. This is the time to refuse in a firm manner, which may be difficult but will ultimately make you seem like a more capable and respectable person.
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Keep promises. Irresponsibility is most definitely a turn-off, so forgetting to show up to your coworker's wedding rehearsal will not earn you points on the relationship level. If it helps, keep a planner; that way, you can remember all coffee meet-ups, dinner dates, and movie nights with your new found friends!Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Tips
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Any apologies that need to be made should be done as soon as possibleThanks
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Smile to greet friends and disarm enemiesThanks
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Hygiene is not optional.Thanks