8 Tips On How To Be More Likable At Work

Want to know how to be more likable at work?

It comes with so many advantages – it’s easier to get work done, get promoted, and makes for a better working environment. When people like you, they’ll be more subject to get tasks complete for you. When people don’t like you, your requests and emails will get ignored.

Use these 8 tips to learn how to be more likable at work.

Also see: 7 Tips on How to Build Communication Skills

March 2, 2024 by Kazu Fujimoto

Smile at your coworkers

A great smile goes a long way. When you pass by your coworkers or are on zoom calls, make sure to smile often. Don’t force it though.

When you smile and make sure it’s genuine, your coworkers will receive that in a positive manner.

No one wants to work with a Debby Downer.

Talk to your coworkers

You will need to know how to make small banter when you’re in a corporate environment. It will feel very uncomfortable, especially if you’re not good at banter or are an introvert.

Instead of hiding from learning this critical skills, you must learn how to talk to coworkers and make small banter ASAP.

You will be looked at as an awkward or boring person if you don’t learn basic communication skills to be able to talk to others.

Ask how your coworkers’ day is going, how their weekends were, if they have any plans, etc. to start off with.

You can also be more “situational” with things to discuss such as making a comment on a surrounding in which then you can converse with your coworker about.

This is a skill that takes time to learn and the best way to learn this skill is through execution.

Execute by talking to your coworkers.

Additionally, you will work on training your social muscles such that you will be conditioned to respond in any given situation.

Dress well at work

This should be a requirement both on-site and in work from home environments.

Dressing well comes with more benefits than looking good, as it comes with many psychological benefits.

You do not want to be a bum when it comes to professional environments.

Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have – is a very common saying.

On-site

A nice shirt, bottoms, and shoes goes very far both for men and women.

You will gain more respect the nicer you dress.

Look for clothes that fit your frame and body well and don’t focus as much on brands.

Go for more timeless, classic pieces.

Work from home

When you have critical meetings and you’re working from home/remote, dress nicely.

When you dress up in pajamas and sweats and you’re leading a critical meeting…it’s just not right. You just won’t be as psychologically sharp compared to if you were dressing really well.

This is even advised in interviewing in remote environments or phone screens – make sure you’re dressed well and professionally.

Don’t be a bum or dress in pajamas or sweats in important corporate meetings or settings.

Eat with your coworkers during lunch

You 100% need to be taking a lunch! Do not work through lunch – this will have long term negative consequences and you will burn out much more quicker.

Although you may have a crazy amount of work to do, it’s important to take lunches.

Take lunches that are away from your working area and do not think about work during your lunch.

Many people either work through lunch or eat lunch at their desks while working, and talk about how they’re tired all the time.

We are all human and we need breaks – take a lunch.

Additionally, we all need human interaction.

Despite being extroverted or introverted, social interaction is healthy for us all.

We need to know how to communicate with others better.

When you eat lunch with your coworkers, there are plenty of chances to make your coworkers like you more.

Talk about what’s going on in your life, funny stories, and take the chance to use lunches to get to know your coworkers better.

Network = net worth

The networking doesn’t just stop once you get the job, you must maintain the networking as well.

You also learn and pick up on so many different things when you take the time and opportunity to go out to get lunch with your coworkers.

Find similar interests

An easy way to learn how to be more likable at work with your coworkers is to find similar interests with them.

When you’re making casual conversations with your coworkers such as asking about weekends or situational conversations, this opens up opportunities to talk about interests.

If you’re interested in the same things, do something such as go out to a game or go out to eat together.

These relationships will turn into very healthy business/professional/friendly relationships also, which can have a very positive effect on your life.

Go to company outings

Although the thought of going to company outings may scare you, going out to these will make you more likable. Especially if you’re a good time with your coworkers.

When you can go out with your coworkers at ease, this overall makes for a much more loose and relaxed working environment.

You’ll be so much more comfortable to speak up at meetings or request your coworkers for something when you establish very positive rapport through things such as company outings.

Establish your presence

When given any opportunity you can, provide value. There is some nuance associated with this as you don’t want to continuously one-up each and every person you’re talking to, but in general provide value given your feedback and experiences.

When you’re in a meeting and you notice a clear solution to a problem that is being discussed, speak up.

Don’t be afraid of being wrong – each and everyone of us makes mistakes.

Don’t be scared of being embarrassed either, as that will hold you back.

When you do this over and over you will be looked at someone that provides value.

Establishing a solid presence is a great way to know how to be be more likable at work.

Get things done

People that get things done are very hard to come by.

Most people that you come across are just all talk and no action.

When you become someone that gets things done for someone, you will stand out.

You will also become more reliable to others, and as a result more likable.

Get things done, establish a dominant presence, and you will be very dangerous in the corporate world.