So gushed actress Sally Field in 1985 when she accepted her second Oscar in 5 years for her role in the 1984 film Places in the Heart.
Being liked. If we are totally honest, it is what drives many of us. Sure we may have roles that make us unpopular due to the nature of the decisions we have to make (a shout-out to the CFO’s and Accountants out there), but that doesn’t mean we don’t like being liked. In fact, the fear of displeasing people is a major contributor to anxiety and stress for many people. And it has led to far too many poor decisions that have tried to not upset people instead of doing the right thing.
We cannot control other people’s reactions and emotions, and we would probably “blow a pufher valve” if our goal was to try and keep everyone happy with our every decision and action – totally unrealistic.
I remember two successive but very different CFO’s in an organisation I worked for many years ago. The first one had a reputation as being firm but fair, who was known for giving everyone a fair hearing. People would leave his office with a “No” to their proposal, but still held the man in high regard. Then came his successor, who was much more unpredictable in his behaviour, and really didn’t care much for people. It was legend that people would leave his office, having received a ‘Yes” to their request, but still feeling disdain and hostility towards him.
So why is it that some people seem to have a knack of keeping people happy, while others just alienate them?
A recent article by Peter Economy in Inc. highlights seven things that well-liked people do. Here’s your chance to (as Peter Economy says) make yourself a more likeable and magnetic person.
7 Things Well-liked People Always Do:
- Don’t judge
- Get personal (but not too personal)
- Ask people about themselves
- Listen
- Remember
- Don’t take yourself too seriously
- Be hospitable
How did you do? Maybe this month try just one or two of these that you may not already be doing, and see what happens. What could possibly go wrong?
If you would further information on how Avondale Business School can help your organisation, contact Warrick Long
P: 02 4980 2168