Being likeable is a secret weapon in business. People tend to remember you and gravitate toward you. As an entrepreneur, CEO, or business owner, likeability is an attribute you can’t survive without. You’re constantly interacting with investors, customers, and employees, and while I’m not saying you have to be everybody’s favorite person, you should be someone people enjoy being around!
If your likeability meter is on the lower side of great, don’t worry. Here are a few simple ways to tilt that meter in the right direction.
Passion Is Contagious
Having a passion for what you do is crucial. It’s hard to listen to someone talk about something they obviously aren’t excited about. Infuse your speeches and interactions with a dose of enthusiasm and charisma and watch what happens. When you’re excited about your product or business venture, other people will be too!
A Smile Goes a Long Way
It’s a simple trick but extremely effective. A smile goes a long way in making people feel comfortable around you. A smile invites connection and the intimacy necessary for networking, fundraising, and growing your business.
Remember People’s Names (and Use Them!)
People love to hear their name. Put effort into remember the names of the people you meet, and work their name into the conversation. They will automatically feel more connected and drawn to you. People love to be acknowledged and remembered, and using their name is a simple way to do both.
Pretend Like You’re Already Friends
One of my favorite tricks for talking to new people is to pretend like we’re already friends. By doing so, you’ll be able to let your guard down a little and relax. Your language will change, your body language will become more easy going, and you’ll feel more comfortable joking around. Of course, maintain professionalism—but pretending like you’ve known the person for years will infuse an authenticity and comfortability to your interaction that will have them walking away thinking, “I like that guy/gal!”
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