"Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster. Your life will never be the same again."
- Og Mandino
Be Attentive to Others and Never Stop Listening
At the end of the day, people are happy to talk about themselves. Let them. The most interesting people are the ones who let little away.
Compliment People Who Deserve It
Go out of your way to personally acknowledge and complement the people who have gone out of their way to shine. Everybody likes to hear that their efforts are appreciated.
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Make Yourself Approachable
Treat everyone you meet with the same respect and everyone will feel like they can chat to you.
Speak Clearly so People Can Understand You
Nobody likes a mumbler and people HATE having to ask 'what?' more than once.
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Never Try to Be Someone You’re Not
The age old saying 'be yourself' is sometimes easier said than done but it's guaranteed to make for an easier life.
Address People by Their Name
People love the sight and sound of their own name, so make sure you learn to remember names. Use them while speaking and writing to someone.
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Mirror the Person You’re Conversing With
You can mirror someone by imitating their body language, gestures, movements and facial expressions during a one on one conversation. The other person will unconsciously pickup on the familiarity of your mirrored actions, which will provide them with an added sense of comfort as they speak with you. The more comfortable you make them feel, the more they will enjoy being around you.
Always Ask to Help… and Help When Asked
Everyone appreciates the gift of free assistance and those who supply it. Highly likeable people always spare time for others, regardless of how busy their own schedules are.
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Never Get Caught Lying
Better yet, just don't lie. Whatever it is, people can handle it - big or small. Always tell the truth, no matter what the situation and you will gain peoples trust.
Say “Please” and “Thank You”
These 2 simple phrases make demands sound like requests and inject a friendly tone into serious conversations. It can mean the difference between sounding rude and sounding genuinely grateful.
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Use Positive Language (Body and Verbal)
You can use positive language skills to exhibit yourself as a helpful, constructive person rather than a destructive, disinterested one. Positive body language involves the act of maintaining eye contact while speaking, using hand gestures to accentuate important points, leaning in closer while someone else is speaking, smiling, and mirroring the person you’re involved in a conversation with. Positive verbal language concentrates on what can be done, suggests helpful choices and alternatives, and sounds accommodating and encouraging.
Smile
Everyone likes the sight of a genuine smile. Think about how you feel when a complete stranger looks into your eyes and smiles. Suddenly she doesn’t seem like a stranger anymore, does she? Instead she seems warm and friendly, someone you wouldn’t mind being around for a little while longer.
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Keep Unqualified Opinions to Yourself
If you don’t have all the facts, or you’re uneducated on the topic of discussion, it’s in your best interest to spend your time listening. Unqualified opinions just make a person sound foolishly arrogant.
Respect Elders, Respect Minors, Respect Everyone
There are no boundaries or classes that define a group of people that deserve to be respected. Treat everyone with the same level of respect you would give to your grandfather and the same level of patience you would give a small child.
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Make Frequent Eye Contact… but Don’t Stare
There’s little doubt that eye contact is one of the most captivating forms of personal communication. When executed properly, eye contact injects closeness into human interaction, which leads to likeability. The key is to make frequent eye contact without gawking. If you fail to make eye contact you will be seen as insincere and untrustworthy. Likewise, an overbearing stare can make you appear arrogant and egotistical.
Don’t Over-Promise… Instead, Over-Deliver
Some people habitually make promises they are just barely able to fulfill. They promise perfection and deliver mediocrity. Sure, they do deliver something. But it’s not inline with the original expectations, so all it does is drive negative press. If you want people to like you, forget about making promises and simply over-deliver on everything you do.
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Stand Up for Your Beliefs Without Promoting Them
Yes, it is possible to stand up for your beliefs without foisting them down someone else’s throat. Discuss your personal beliefs when someone asks about them, but don’t spawn offensive attacks of propaganda on unsuspecting victims. Stand firm by your values and always keep an open mind to new information. If you don't agree with what someone is saying, ask them how they came to that belief and go from there. Always be open to new opinions, you might learn something!
Make a Firm Handshake
There is a considerable correlation between the characteristics of a firm handshake (strength, duration, eye contact, etc.) and a positive first impression. Be firm but not overpowering and if possible, don't let go until they release first.
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Keep Your Hands Away from Your Face
Putting your hands on your face during a conversation tells the other person that you’re either bored, negatively judging them, or trying to hide something.
Dress Clean
“Clothes and manners do not make the man; but, when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance.” Henry Ward said that, and he knew exactly what he was talking about. People will always judge a book by its cover. While a stylish dress code is not absolutely necessary, it can drastically alter another person’s perception of you.
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Via; MarchandAngel
