6 Ways to Be More Likable by Saying Very Little
by Danny Forest
1. Bring your notebook to conversations, not your phone
1.1. Listening to others is the greatest compliment you can give them
1.2. Say “I love that, give me a second to write it down,”
1.3. Keep your phone out of sight and instead takes notes about what you are learning and the things that are important to them.
1.4. If you want to be interesting, be interested.
2. Become a master at remembering people’s names
2.1. Simply ask people to repeat their names at the end of the conversation
2.2. Turn it into a bet by telling them drinks are on you the next time you run into each other and you’ve forgotten their name.
2.3. Work hard to remember the names of the partners, kids, and even pets of the people you meet
3. Focus on leaving a memorable last impression
3.1. End the conversation by offering to connect them to someone in your network who you think they may get along with.
3.2. By doing this not only will the person you are speaking with like you more, but so will the person you are connecting them with.
4. Show interest in small talk
4.1. Most people won’t open up to you about the big things in their lives if you don’t express interest in their little day-to-day happenings.
4.2. These conversations may be boring, but they matter.
4.3. When done consistently they open the door for real-talk to eventually take place.
5. Master a few conversation starters
5.1. You only have to get comfortable with a few of them in order to recycle them around with the new people you meet.
5.2. Examples
5.2.1. Ask “I’m writing an article about career advice. What’s your best tip?”
5.2.2. Or “I’m curious, do you think following your passion is good advice or terrible?”