7 behaviors of people who are genuinely easy to get along with, according to psychology

Some people just have a natural way of making life easier. You know the type—those who seem to get along with everyone, make conversations flow effortlessly, and rarely create any unnecessary drama.

For years, I wondered what their secret was. Was it something they were born with? Or was it a skill they had learned?

As someone who’s spent a lot of time studying psychology and human behavior, I’ve come to realize that being easy to get along with isn’t just about personality—it’s about specific behaviors that anyone can adopt.

And the best part? These behaviors don’t just improve your relationships with others—they also bring more peace, connection, and mindfulness into your own life.

So in this article, I’ll break down 7 behaviors of people who are genuinely easy to get along with, backed by psychology.

Let’s dive in.

1) They listen more than they talk

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who actually listens—not just waiting for their turn to speak, but truly paying attention?

It’s rare, but when you find someone like that, it makes all the difference.

One of the key behaviors of people who are easy to get along with is that they listen more than they talk. They’re not constantly trying to steer the conversation back to themselves or impress you with their opinions. Instead, they make you feel heard and understood.

Psychology backs this up: active listening strengthens relationships, reduces misunderstandings, and makes social interactions more enjoyable for everyone involved.

If you want to be someone others naturally enjoy being around, start by practicing mindful listening. The next time you’re talking to someone, focus entirely on them. Put away distractions, maintain eye contact, and resist the urge to interrupt.

You’ll be surprised how much deeper your conversations become—and how much more people appreciate your presence.

2) They make people feel valued

A few years ago, I worked with someone who had this incredible ability to make everyone around them feel important. Whether it was a quick chat in the break room or a team meeting, they always remembered small details about people’s lives and made an effort to acknowledge others.

I’ll never forget how they once asked me about a side project I had casually mentioned weeks before. It wasn’t anything big, but the fact that they remembered made me feel seen. And that feeling stuck with me.

Everyone wants to feel valued, and the people who effortlessly get along with others know how to do this naturally.

It doesn’t take much. A simple compliment, remembering someone’s name, or just genuinely thanking a person for something they did can go a long way.

If you want to be someone people enjoy being around, start noticing the little things about them—and let them know they matter.

3) They don’t make everything about themselves

I used to have a friend who had a habit of turning every conversation back to himself. If I shared a problem, he’d immediately start talking about how he had it worse. If I mentioned something exciting, he’d one-up me with his own story.

After a while, I realized that talking to him felt more like a competition than a conversation. It was exhausting.

On the other hand, I’ve also met people who do the exact opposite—they show genuine interest in others without constantly shifting the spotlight onto themselves. And those are the people everyone loves being around.

Being easy to get along with isn’t about never talking about yourself—it’s about balance. Instead of always steering conversations back to your experiences, take a step back and let others share theirs. Ask follow-up questions, show curiosity, and resist the urge to make every story about you.

You’ll find that when you stop trying to be the center of attention, people naturally gravitate toward you even more.

4) They express gratitude often

A while back, I made a small favor for a coworker—nothing major, just covering a shift for them. I didn’t think much of it, but the next day, they went out of their way to thank me. Not just a quick “thanks,” but a genuine, thoughtful acknowledgment.

That small moment stuck with me. Why? Because appreciation feels good. And people who are easy to get along with understand this—they regularly express gratitude, making others feel valued and respected.

Science backs this up.

A study published in Emotion found that expressing gratitude strengthens social bonds and increases positive feelings between people. When someone feels appreciated, they’re naturally drawn to the person who made them feel that way.

If you want to build stronger connections, start by making gratitude a habit. Whether it’s thanking a friend for their support or appreciating a stranger’s kindness, those small moments of acknowledgment go a long way in making you someone people genuinely enjoy being around.

5) They don’t take themselves too seriously

I used to be the kind of person who overanalyzed everything I said and did. If I made a silly mistake or said something awkward, I’d replay it in my head for days. But then I noticed something—people who were easy to be around didn’t do this.

Instead of getting caught up in embarrassment, they laughed at themselves. If they tripped over their words or made a dumb joke that didn’t land, they just shrugged it off and moved on.

And because they weren’t overly concerned with looking perfect, it made everyone around them feel more comfortable too.

Nobody enjoys walking on eggshells around someone who takes themselves too seriously. But when you can laugh at yourself and roll with life’s little mishaps, you create an easygoing energy that draws people in.

So the next time you mess up or say something goofy, try not to dwell on it—just smile and let it go. Chances are, nobody else is thinking about it as much as you are.

6) They make others feel at ease

I remember meeting someone at a party who had this natural ability to make people feel comfortable. From the moment we started talking, I felt like I could just be myself—no pressure, no awkwardness.

They weren’t overly charismatic or trying too hard to impress anyone. Instead, they had a relaxed, open energy that put everyone around them at ease. They smiled often, asked thoughtful questions, and never made conversations feel like a performance.

And that’s exactly why people who create a judgment-free space are so easy to get along with. They don’t make others feel self-conscious or on edge. Instead, they offer acceptance, making every interaction feel effortless and natural.

If you want to be that kind of person, focus on being present and approachable. Drop the need to impress and just be. People will naturally feel more comfortable around you.

7) They don’t try to be liked by everyone

This one might seem surprising, but the people who are easiest to get along with aren’t the ones desperately trying to please everyone—they’re the ones who are comfortable being themselves.

I used to think that if I wanted people to like me, I had to agree with everything they said, avoid any kind of conflict, and always be “nice.” But the more I did this, the more drained and disconnected I felt. And ironically, it didn’t make people like me more—it just made my interactions feel forced.

The truth is, people are naturally drawn to those who are genuine. When you’re comfortable with who you are—flaws and all—you give others permission to relax and be themselves too. That’s what makes relationships feel effortless.

A practical way to apply this? The next time you find yourself agreeing just to keep the peace or overthinking how you come across, pause and ask yourself: “Am I being authentic right now?”

When you stop trying so hard to be liked, you actually become far more enjoyable to be around.

Conclusion: small changes make a big difference

Being easy to get along with isn’t about being the most charming, funny, or outgoing person in the room. It’s about small, everyday behaviors that make people feel comfortable, valued, and heard.

The best part? These are all things you can start practicing today.

• Listen more than you talk.
• Show genuine appreciation.
• Let go of the need to impress.
• Be yourself—even if that means not everyone will like you.

The more you focus on these simple habits, the more natural they become.

And before you know it, people will start gravitating toward you—not because you’re trying too hard, but because being around you just feels good.