Making People Like You

Reputation Management
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When it comes to your business dealings and the relationships that you have been able to build with other people, both online and in person, there are qualities that stand out. Those are qualities that make the other person like you (and eventually trust you) and that make you like the other person.

Your “likeability” factor

In life and in business, people will not be willing to interact with you if they don’t find you pleasant to deal with. That is not to say that you need to be best friends; however, you do need to establish a compatibility with each other that will allow you to understand each other and create some sort of synergy between you. You may think that it is very easy to do but sometimes it may be more challenging than you think. At the very beginning of the relationship (before you have even had a chance to really get to know the other person on any level), you need to like the person enough to want to pursue any sort of relationship with him or her. The only way that you can get people to like you is if you are reliable, you are driven by your integrity, and you are able to empathize with the other person (you can put yourself in that person’s shoes). If you don’t possess those three traits, it just won’t work out.

Reliability: One of the qualities that you must possess as a business owner is reliability. Your clients (and potential clients) must know without a doubt that they can rely on you. If they need you, you must be there for them. If you are able to establish that type of relationship, the next time (and every time) that the person needs that particular thing, you will be the one that will come to mind. That is exactly what you want to happen. Along with reliability, of course, comes dependability and consistency. Your clients must always be able to count on the fact that they can expect the exact quality from you each and every time.

Empathy: Sympathy is good but it isn’t critical in the way that empathy is. You must have the ability to wrap your mind around what the other person is thinking, feeling, and experiencing. If you are empathetic, those people will connect with you on a deep, emotional level and the bond that you share will be indestructible. If you connect with the other person as two human beings who have shared the same experience, you will be golden.

Integrity: Integrity is a critical quality in every aspect of life. Everywhere you turn, integrity is driving people to make the right decisions personally and professionally. Without integrity, the success that you are reaching for will be empty and meaningless. If you allow your decent values to drive everything that you do and everything that you are, you can’t go wrong. Undoubtedly, there will be times when you find it difficult to do that right thing if doing the easy thing is more appealing. However, the result may not be what you hope for if you choose that path. When it comes to integrity, the more you choose to make the right, decent choices, the easier it will be to keep making those choices. Test it out. You will see.

Conclusion

If you can manage to be reliable, empathetic, and allow yourself to be driven by integrity, the more appealing you and your business will be to other people and the more those other people will want to be a part of your inner circle. Another important way to establish that deep connection is to truly listen to what the other person is saying and what they want. If you show them that they are important to you, they will stick with you. If you show the other person that you are genuine and that you are motivated by solving their problems, they will like you and they will want to do business with you.

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Author

  • Michael Cohn

    Michael Cohn is the founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of CompuKol Communications. He has decades of experience in IT and web technologies. Michael founded CompuKol Communications to help small businesses and entrepreneurs increase their visibility and reputation. CompuKol consults, creates, and implements communication strategies for small businesses to monopolize their markets with a unique business voice, vision, and visibility. Mr. Cohn earned a Master’s degree in project management from George Washington University in Washington, DC; and a Master’s degree in computer science and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ.

8 Responses

  1. Marsha says:

    I completely agree with you. You worded that perfectly! I am a firm believer in integrity and having good ethics and principles. These attributes will help you be successful in every area of your life business included!

  2. Rick Grant says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups
    Group: Small Business Accelerator
    Discussion: How Do You Get People to Like You?

    Well said, Michael. Generally, if you focus on truly adding value to the people you want in your inner circle, it will be hard for them not to like you. As long as you’re polite, of course. 🙂
    By Rick Grant

  3. Eddy Woj says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups
    Group: Marketing & Communication Network
    Discussion: How Do You Get People to Like You?

    Listen, be empathetic, share advice… We do business with human beings, not with computers, so just be Human !
    By Eddy Woj

  4. Glyn Roberts says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups
    Group: Client Relationship Management
    Discussion: How Do You Get People to Like You?

    This is a good article as it was make peoples lives easier as a whole…However, easier said than done as you are dealing with various personalities and cultures and behaviors. I believe central you can make it easier by being yourself and integrating with people. You have to listen to people and work as a team and support people in all circumstances. Allow people into your circle and in fact go out of your way to welcome new people and people you do not know…just simply be someone of great values and behaviors.
    By Glyn Roberts

  5. Ash Vekaria says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups
    Group: Client Relationship Management
    Discussion: How Do You Get People to Like You?

    Absolutely agree with the above. Although I should say that listening and knowing what others want isn’t quite enough. You need to understand what they want and why. If you understand what they want they will respect you even if you cannot always provide it.
    By Ash Vekaria

  6. Andrea Prusi says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups
    Group: Marketing to Women Network
    Discussion: How Do You Get People to Like You?

    Sometimes people get so caught up in making a sale that we forget business is truly about building relationships. Thank you for sharing this lovely reminder.
    By Andrea Prusi

  7. Christy Birmingham says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups
    Group: Marketing to Women Network
    Discussion: How Do You Get People to Like You?

    In addition, you also need to be content with knowing not everyone will like you or require that which you are selling.
    By Christy Birmingham

  8. Kimberly Bennetta says:

    Via LinkedIn Groups
    Group: Marketing to Women Network
    Discussion: How Do You Get People to Like You?

    It is not about people liking you for. It is about being your true authentic self. If people like you for who you are than that is great. If they don’t than who cares. By being yourself you will attract the right people into your life.
    By Kimberly Bennetta