10 Ways To Be A More Likeble Person

We all want to be liked by our friends and colleagues, but you don’t want to come off as fake. This is how to be more likable and still be you.

Learning how to be more likable is something we all struggle with. We want to be true to ourselves, but also want to make sure others enjoy being around us.

Finding that balance is not always easy. We can come off as fake if we try too hard, and if we don’t try at all it seems like we don’t care. But it is possible to learn how to be more likable and still be yourself.

Learning how to be more likable does not have to be difficult. You don’t want to put on a show or act a certain way. Simply be self-aware and a person you would want to spend time with.

Here are some steps you can take and some things to consider if you are worried about how to be more likable.

# Try not to be needy

This sounds bad, but hear me out. I am all for being true to yourself and expressing your feelings. But when it comes to being likable, no one likes someone who craves attention or needs approval.

If you ask someone to hang out and they say they can’t, leave it there. If they want to hang out, they will ask you about it another time. Don’t push yourself on to other people. Let friendships form naturally.

# Read the situation

The modern age is all about subtle signs and signals. People are so scared to say or do the wrong thing, so being able to read body language and vibes is vital.

If you walk into a group and can’t feel that it is an inappropriate time to make a joke or interrupt, you will come off not just awkward, but pushy. Timing and being able to read situations can help you become more likable right away.

If this is something you aren’t great at, take it slow. Observe more before you take a step.

# Let go of how others see you

This seems counterintuitive but stick with it. If you are constantly worried about not being likable, you will drive yourself nuts. You will overanalyze every conversation and interaction and being that self-conscious is more obvious than you think.

If you can let go of how others see you, your likability will shoot up immediately. How others see you is usually based more on how they see themselves than who you are. So as long as you’re happy with you, others will be too.

# Gain self-confidence

Additionally, self-confidence and charisma can take you very far in the likability department. Liking who you are sends off a message to the world that you do not need approval from anyone and that is contagious.

People love to be around someone who doesn’t beg for attention or need to be reassured that they are liked. Once you like yourself, others will follow your lead.

# Put in the effort

Being confident and caring more about what you think of yourself than what others think of you is important, but you don’t want to come off as uncaring. Put the effort into relationships, even surface-level ones.

This doesn’t mean you buy everyone a gift on their birthday but go out of your way a bit. Be polite, ask how someone is doing and actually care to listen. Remember people’s birthdays just so you can wish them a wonderful day.

Remember that someone told you their dad had surgery over the weekend or they were getting a new puppy and follow-up. Such small things can really make a difference in how likable you are.

# Don’t gossip

This is something that immediately makes you unlikable. Even if people join in on it and you are following others’ lead, gossiping about others is a bad color on everyone.

Just avoid it all together, and you’re in the clear. Now, celebrity gossip and chatting about what happened last week on your favorite TV show is great, just keep the gossip away from people in your real life. [Read: How to make small talk without feeling awkward]

# Be there for the good and the bad

This is a place a lot of people fall flat. Being likable doesn’t mean always being positive and bubbly. It doesn’t mean only celebrating good news.

Being likable means being there for the hard stuff too. So whether it is your close friend or your coworker, offer to listen and let them vent. Be there when people need you, not just when you want to be.

# Treat others how you want to be treated

Yes, the golden rule you learned in kindergarten is still very much a part of being liked. Would you like to be ignored? Would you like to be interrupted? Would you like someone who was always talking about themselves?

Think about these things before you act. If your answer is no, rethink your next move.

# Be honest

Honesty is the best policy in just about every walk of life. Yes, sometimes it is important to know when to hold your tongue, but for the most part being open and honest with everyone ensures you are genuine and sincere.