Are You Focused On The Right Thing?

More knowledge, more certifications, more degrees, more credentials.

Technical wizards, scientists, and other professionals seem to believe that more skill leads to successful careers. The goal: become an expert in your chosen field. 

While education and expertise are important, research studies show that people respond positively to those they like. The highest levels of achievement and recognition come to those who mix expertise with like-ability. People prefer to do business with and buy products from people they like.  Mitch Anthony, author of Selling with Emotional Intelligence, says straight out: “Like-ability is as important as ability.” 

While you may not be in sales, your like-ability impacts your credibility and your credibility impacts how influential you become.  

Think on these:

• Accept the fact that developing like-ability is an important success strategy.

• Take time to discover and mention--without expecting anything in return--the connections and similarities you may have with others.

• Initiate small courtesies and expressions of appreciation regardless of the other person’s organizational status.     
  

• Keep gossip and unkind remarks unsaid.

A Quick and Simple Like-ability Inventory

Let's leave the Deltas and statistical probabilities out of this. Your answers to these can give you a darned good idea of where you may be in your like-ability journey:

• Do you like people?
• Do people like you?
• Are you a good listener?
• Do people confide in you?
• Do you compliment others easily?
• Do you smile often?
• Do others seem genuinely happy to see you?
• Do you look on the bright side of things?
• Are you happy with yourself?

Whether you are getting ready for a presentation, a job interview, or a sales call, these diagnostic questions will provide personal insight and remind you where to increase your focus.

Comments

[peter vajda]

Hi Steve,

Here are some additional questions that tell us if we are sabotaging our likeability factor:

-do I have an ego drive/need to be liked? Our likeability ability rises in indirect proportion to our wanting or needing to be liked; wanting and needing to be liked often force us to come across as fake and phony…just the person no one likes.

-do I love others? When I love another in place of efforting to get them to like/love me, my energy changes and actually attracts others to me from a heartfelt place; in this place, folks will really like you rather than live the appearance of liking you.

-do I exhibit humility? True, real and sincere likeability is more often a function of humility than ego; hubris or a grand sense of self often results in walking over others-not the way we attract likeability.

-Can I be self-effacing? Folks like to approach and be around others who are sincerely optimistic and “human” and don't take themselves seriously.

-Do I practice the Golden Rule? Do I treat others with respect and kindness? Enough said.

[Hayli @ Rise Smart]

Do I take note of what's going on around me? Or am I too busy being self-absorbed? For instance, can I take time to appreciate two cute kittens in teacups?

Recent blog post: WEEKLY ROUNDUP: Jobs picture looking up in some fields

Recent blog post: WEEKLY ROUNDUP: Jobs picture looking up in some fields

[Steve Roesler]

Peter,

Nice additions to the self-diagnostic. Thank you.

[Steve Roesler]

Well, Hayli, I've got to admit: I had a choice of two photos, the other being a "business" shot. I thought the choice was a slam-dunk.

[Chris Witt]

Steve,

Great set of questions. Here's another: Do you enjoy other people's accomplishments?

Chris