Pearl Nash
As humans, we are wired to be social creatures. We crave companionship and acceptance, and nothing feels better than being liked by others.
Do you want to have that likeability factor? Of course, you do! Who wouldn’t want to be a person everyone thinks of fondly?
Well, you’re in the right place! In this article, I’ve compiled a list of 10 personality traits that will make you irresistible to others.
Let’s get started!
1) A sense of humor
Every time I meet someone new and they’re funny, I immediately warm up to them. Nothing can brighten up a room like a good sense of humor.
If you can make people laugh, you’re already halfway there. The ability to make people laugh is a gift that keeps on giving, and people will naturally gravitate toward you.
A word of caution, though: make sure you don’t go overboard. You could offend people, or you could make it hard for them to take you seriously. When it comes to humor, timing and context are everything!
2) Positivity
The great thing about having a sense of humor is that it gives you a more positive outlook in life.
And that’s something people will like you for.
Remember, people respond to the energy you give out. Positive vibes attract positive vibes!
When you approach life with a glass-half-full mentality, people will be inspired by your resilience and optimism. Your very presence will be enough to lift the spirits of everyone around you!
3) Empathy
Speaking of uplifting people, an impossibly likable person also has this one other special ability – to put themselves in other people’s shoes and empathize.
Think about it: was there ever a time in your life when someone really made you feel seen and understood? Made you feel special? I bet you couldn’t help but like that person!
I think that empathy is one of the quickest ways to connect with others. I remember when I went on my first solo trip. I was quite nervous. It probably showed because my seatmate on the plane, an old lady, turned to me and asked, “Traveling alone?”
We got to talking, and she told me all about her first solo trip as we shared a turkey sandwich between us. The sandwich was bland, but our conversation wasn’t! All of a sudden, I felt so comforted, and my fears went away.
I stepped off the plane with a newfound sense of confidence, thanks to that stranger who empathized with me.
This leads me to my next point…
4) Kindness
When you have empathy, you have a natural tendency to be kind. This is one of the most important traits a person can possess.
Whether it’s a simple act of holding the door for someone or going out of your way to help someone in need, showing kindness to others will always be appreciated.
And best of all, kindness is contagious! People will naturally want to be around someone who radiates positivity and compassion, instantly earning you points in the likeability department.
5) Authenticity
Now, when I talk about kindness, I don’t mean the fake kind of niceness. People can spot a fake from a mile away, and nobody wants to be friends with someone who isn’t genuine.
See, in a world where everything seems manufactured and curated, it’s so rare to find people who are brave enough to be real.
That’s probably why it’s so easy to be drawn to someone who’s just being themselves, never mind what other people think.
When you’re comfortable in your own skin, people will know you’re not putting on an act. If you ask me, that’s quite a likeable trait!
In her book, “11 Laws of Likability,” author Michelle Tillis Lederman said, “It is through the strength of what is genuine that meaningful connections build into relationships.”
So you see, it pays to take the risk of living life authentically!
6) Humility
Many people think that the quickest way to get people to like them is to toot their own horn and talk about their accomplishments and strengths.
Hold up – that might work if you wanted to impress people (although, honestly, it doesn’t work with me). But if you wanted them to like you? Probably not.
People are naturally turned off by arrogance. On the other hand, humility makes you impossibly likable because it shows that you’re not full of yourself.
When you can laugh at yourself and make fun of your own flaws, you become more relatable and human. It shows you’re willing to be vulnerable, and that’s always a great starting point for connection.
7) Being a good listener
Everyone wants to be heard, and being a good listener is the key to making people feel valued and respected.
Listening is more than just hearing someone’s words; it’s about paying attention to their emotions and body language, and being present in the moment.
I absolutely hate it when I’m telling a story and the other person’s just scrolling on their phone while I speak. It makes me feel disrespected and really puts a dent in my positive feelings for that person.
So, learn how to listen. I assure you, you’ll make the other person feel special! You’ll be totally, impossibly likeable!
And if listening isn’t your strong suit, the next section might help.
8) Curiosity
The key to being a good listener is to be curious. To be genuinely interested in what others have to say.
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it’s also what makes life interesting.
Being curious about the world around you shows that you have a thirst for knowledge and a desire to learn. It also keeps you from being jaded and becoming an insufferable know-it-all! And you know what? When people see you truly want to get to know them, they’ll be more likely to open up and share their experiences with you!
9) Flexibility
Life is unpredictable, that’s for sure. And rolling with the punches is a skill worth learning if you want to be more likeable.
See, being able to adapt to changing circumstances shows that you’re resilient and resourceful, and people will admire your ability to compromise.
When you’re able to go with the flow and make the best of any situation, people will naturally want to be around you.
I’ll give you an example. I have a friend who’s perfectly nice and loyal. But there’s just one problem – she’s pretty set in her ways.
When we go out with other friends, she wants to pick out the restaurant, and it’s always one of just three same choices. If we disagree, she’ll pout and decide not to go.
Isn’t that exasperating?
We do try to accommodate her as much as we can, but ultimately, it makes the group like her a tad less. And I think it’s a shame because she’s otherwise a lovely person!
10) Gratitude
Last but not least, expressing gratitude is a quality that makes you impossible not to like. When you’re thankful for the people and things in your life, it shows that you appreciate the little things and don’t take anything for granted.
Believe me, that’s really disarming!
Gratitude is contagious, and when you express your gratitude toward others, they will feel appreciated and valued.
According to this study, grateful people are happier and more content, and that positivity just radiates outward and leaves everyone feeling uplifted!
Final thoughts
As you can see, being likeable is not just about having good looks or wealth. It’s about having a set of personality traits that make people feel valued and appreciated.
If you can cultivate the ten personality traits on this list, you’ll be irresistible to others. So go ahead, spread some positivity, show kindness, be humble, and make people laugh. People won’t be able to help themselves – they’ll want to be your friend!
