Do you ever wonder why certain individuals are just a delight to be in the company of? The secret might not be in their humor or sparkling personality, but in the little things they do.
Small gestures can make a massive difference in how others perceive and feel about you. It’s not about pretending to be someone you’re not, but tweaking your social mannerisms can make you a crowd favorite.
In this article, I’ll share eight simple gestures that don’t just make you likable, but absolutely wonderful to be around. Trust me, it’s simpler than you think!
1) Noticing small changes
Isn’t it strangely heartwarming when someone notices your new haircut or a shirt you’re wearing for the first time? It’s such a minuscule thing, but it sends a big message – this person pays attention to you.
That’s because not being dismissive of tiny details isn’t just about having a sharp eye. It also indicates that you care enough about the other person to notice shifts in their regular pattern.
So the next time you’re with someone, take a moment to observe. Is there something different? A new outfit, haircut, a change in mood perhaps? Comment on it genuinely, and I assure you, it will make the person feel seen and appreciated.
Keep in mind, though, that there’s a fine line between noticing changes and being nosy. The goal isn’t to trace every single shift in the other person’s life, but to show attentiveness and respect. By being able to highlight positive changes, you’re sending the signal that you value that person’s presence in your life.
After all, who wouldn’t want to be around someone who makes them feel valued?
2) Recalling past conversations
Talking from personal experience, it means a lot when someone remembers things from our previous interactions. Just recently, a colleague of mine brought up a book I mentioned in passing a few weeks back. She remembered not only the name of the book but also the context in which I had brought it up.
That pleasantly surprised me, making me feel valued and understood. And it really got me thinking how such a gesture—an effortless act of remembering—can transform an ordinary conversation into a meaningful one.
Remembering details from past conversations says a lot about your listening skills and your genuine interest in the person. So the next time you’re chatting with someone, try to remember some details for future conversations. Trust me, it will definitely make you more likable and pleasant to be around.
3) Making eye contact
Our eyes are powerful tools in communication. It’s something we do naturally when we’re interested in the person we’re talking to. Yet its importance often goes unnoticed, despite us tending to judge trustworthiness of a person based on whether or not they hold eye contact.
Eye contact does more than just convey attentiveness. It can even sync brainwaves between two people, according to a study by the National Institute of Physiological Sciences in Japan!
So maintain a healthy level of eye contact when you’re interacting with others. It exudes a level of confidence, sincerity and shows them that they have your undivided attention – all of which makes you more likable and captivating.
4) Being a good listener
We’ve all heard of the saying, “We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we speak.” There’s a lot of wisdom in that.
Good communication isn’t just about how well you express your thoughts. It’s also about how well you listen to others.
Everyone wants to be heard and validated. The act of listening, genuine listening where you’re not just waiting for your turn to speak but truly absorbing what the other person is saying, can create a sense of trust and comfort.
So the next time you are in conversation with someone, try to really focus on their words, their emotions, and their body language. Prove that you are not just hearing, but truly listening. Believe me, they will feel this warmth, and you will appear immensely likable.
5) Expressing gratitude
There’s something almost magical about the words “thank you”. These two little words can make someone’s day, showing them that their efforts are acknowledged and appreciated.
It’s not just about thanking someone for a favor. It can be as simple as expressing gratitude for their time, their words, or even their mere presence.
As a society, we often focus on the things we lack. A thankful heart challenges this norm by infusing positivity. When you regularly express gratitude, people feel uplifted around you. And who doesn’t crave that feeling?
So go ahead, sprinkle your interactions with healthy doses of gratitude. It’s a beautiful way to share love and positivity while making you more likable instantly.
6) Apologizing sincerely
I messed up once, big time. It was at a project presentation at work. I made a mistake that cost my team a potential lead. There was tension, disappointment, and a load of guilt eating at me.
What I did next, however, was what made the difference. I took a deep breath, faced my team, and sincerely apologized for my mistake. There wasn’t a hint of excuse in my words, just plain ownership of the blunder I’d made.
This didn’t erase my mistake, but it did soften the impact. It showed my team that I acknowledged my mistake and was ready to learn from it.
The ability to apologize sincerely when you’re wrong is a vastly underrated quality. It shows that you’re not afraid to embrace your imperfections and are open to learning and growing. This level of authenticity and humility makes you approachable and easy to be around.
7) Encouraging others
Everyone is fighting battles we know nothing about. A word of encouragement during tough times can feel like spotting a beacon of light on a dark night. It shows the other person that you believe in them and their latent potential.
But it’s not just about uplifting someone when they’re down. Encouragement is equally valuable when someone is trying something new or stepping out of their comfort zone. It could be as simple as cheering them on or letting them know you’re proud of their progress.
A simple sentence or two can go a long way in elevating someone’s spirit. And the person who blesses others with this positivity? They’re an absolute joy to be around.
So, make it a habit to infuse encouragement in your interactions. It won’t just uplift others, it might just make your day a little brighter too.
8) Being yourself
At the end of the day, there’s no substitute for authenticity. People can sense when you’re putting on a facade, and it’s almost always off-putting.
Don’t be afraid to let your true self shine through. Embrace your quirks, your passions, your strengths and even your flaws. They all make up the unique, irreplaceable individual that is you.
Being yourself might not make you likable to everyone, and that’s okay. The right people will be drawn to your authenticity, and these are the relationships that truly enrich our lives.
So, forget the pretenses and the masks. Just be you. Trust me, it’s the most likable thing you can do.
Leaving a lasting impression
We are instinctively wired to respond to interactions that make us feel good about ourselves. These cues often reside in the seemingly insignificant gestures we exchange day to day.
American poet Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
And it’s in this that the crux of likability lies. It’s not in grand gestures or eloquent speeches, but in those small acts of kindness, attentiveness, and unfeigned interest. It’s in the reassurance we offer through our words, our subtle gestures, and our wholehearted presence.
As we navigate through our social circles, let’s strive to leave behind echoes of positivity and warmth. Let’s aim to not just be in the room, but to be the reason the room feels a little lighter, a little happier.
In the end, it’s all about how you make people feel. And let this thought guide you in your quest for likability and, above all, for spreading a dash of kindness around the world.