Do you want your coworkers to view you in a favorable light? Would you like to be seen as charming, agreeable, and engaging? Well according to author Jeff Haden, it’s not hard to achieve this goal. You simply need to follow these steps:

  • Pay attention – When your coworkers talk to you, pay attention to what they’re saying. Make eye contact, nod, and smile (when appropriate). Show them that you find them interesting and respect what they have to say.
  • Ask questions – Ask your coworkers questions about the things that they’re interested in. Get them to open up and talk about themselves. It will show them that you’re really listening and invested in what they’re saying.
  • Don’t try to “win” – If a coworker is talking about a personal accomplishment, don’t try to “one-up” that person. Don’t start talking about the great things that you’re doing. Just be complimentary. Tell your coworker that you’re impressed. Be genuine.
  • Be vulnerable – Don’t be afraid to admit to your mistakes, and even laugh about them. It’s OK to talk about your weaknesses or shortcomings. No one is perfect, and your coworkers will appreciate your openness and honesty. They’ll also feel more comfortable being honest with you in return.
  • Don’t play “devil’s advocate” – It’s OK to disagree with what a coworker says. But try not to disagree with everything, all the time. Not everyone enjoys a good debate. Instead, figure out the things that you have in common with your coworkers. What interests do you share? What topics do you agree about? Try to focus on those areas.
  • Use people’s names – Research has shown that people really like it when others refer to them by name during a conversation. So use your coworkers’ names when you greet them, and continue to use their names occasionally as you talk.
  • Listen – Spend most of your time listening, rather than talking. Your attention will be appreciated, and you’ll also learn a lot of interesting things about the people you work with.

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Haden, J. (2014, April 1). 10 genuine ways anyone can be exceptionally charming. Inc. Retrieved from: https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/10-genuine-ways-anyone-can-be-exceptionally-charming.html