Have you ever said to yourself "I just don't like him/her"? If you're a woman, you probably say this a lot. But that's a different story....
Essentially, what we're talking about here is likeability. As human beings, we all know how it feels to genuinely "like" someone and on the other end, how it feels to passionately "dislike" someone. It may not be that he or she has done something to you personally, you just get a feeling that is not positive. So we would agree that being likeable is important, right? It's that factor that pushes us over the hump at a job interview, gains us that promotion over our competition, or improves our social status. But how do we capitalize on our likeablility or establish it if we don't posses this charisma? Bruna Matrinuzzi, author of "Likeability: It's An Inside Job," explains that likeability measures how people interact with you and it's something you must work on in order to be successful. Matrinuzzi says: "likeability is a social handicap, one that can hinder your effective functioning in both your personal and professional life."
I enjoyed Matrinuzzi's commentary on this subject. She suggests that one must access his or her likeability, cultivate an emotionally attractive perosnality, address people by name, lead with a smile, be likeable in the online community, handle criticism with velvet gloves, add emotional value to all transactions with clients, don't hire malcontents, and handle complaints with grace. Whew! OK, that's a lot just to make people like you. But it is needed. Let's dissect these suggestions.
Of the nine ways Matrinuzzi suggests for attaining likeability, there are three ways I think I have gained likeability in my personal life and college career. I side with adding emotional value to transactions with clients, handeling complaints with grace and being likeable in the online community the most. Through internships, I have taken note that it's the personal touches that resonate with employers, such as hand-delivered resumes, thank-you cards and letters that show thoughtfulness and appreciation. Handling complaints with grace shows that you are humble and professional. Exhibiting likeability online, implies that you can share the spotlight by commenting positively on others' work while providing your own projects and activities for others to express their criticism.
These characterisitcs show your attention to detail. The time you took to write letters to supervisors, corrections you made to shortcomings and the positive commentary you gave on someonelses' blog because you hope they will do the same for you, are all gestures that contribute to one's overal likeability.
Lastly, Matrunizzi suggests you lead with your smile as a great touch in becoming likeable. She takes this suggestion from Tim Saunders, author of "The Likeability Factor: How to Boost Your L-Factor & Achieve Your's Life's Dreams." Saunders provides four elements to being perceived as more likeable: friendliness, relevance, empathy, and realness. Overall I feel I posses the likeability factor. I am able to connect and communicate with others, have a humorous and creative personality, and project style and professionalism. However, one factor I can work on is relevance. Saunders explains this as "connecting with others' interests, wants and ideas."
I notice at times I dismiss others interests or wants if they are not in line with my own. I do, however, have the ability to empathize with their feelings but not necessarily their logic or how they go about doing things. This is something I should definitely explore improving. As I study to become a great public relations professional, I must be aware of the "big picture." I must undestand and appreciate the wants, needs and feelings of others so that I can positively and effectively communicate with them.
Thanks, Matrunizzi, for helping me realize this....
Essentially, what we're talking about here is likeability. As human beings, we all know how it feels to genuinely "like" someone and on the other end, how it feels to passionately "dislike" someone. It may not be that he or she has done something to you personally, you just get a feeling that is not positive. So we would agree that being likeable is important, right? It's that factor that pushes us over the hump at a job interview, gains us that promotion over our competition, or improves our social status. But how do we capitalize on our likeablility or establish it if we don't posses this charisma? Bruna Matrinuzzi, author of "Likeability: It's An Inside Job," explains that likeability measures how people interact with you and it's something you must work on in order to be successful. Matrinuzzi says: "likeability is a social handicap, one that can hinder your effective functioning in both your personal and professional life."
I enjoyed Matrinuzzi's commentary on this subject. She suggests that one must access his or her likeability, cultivate an emotionally attractive perosnality, address people by name, lead with a smile, be likeable in the online community, handle criticism with velvet gloves, add emotional value to all transactions with clients, don't hire malcontents, and handle complaints with grace. Whew! OK, that's a lot just to make people like you. But it is needed. Let's dissect these suggestions.
Of the nine ways Matrinuzzi suggests for attaining likeability, there are three ways I think I have gained likeability in my personal life and college career. I side with adding emotional value to transactions with clients, handeling complaints with grace and being likeable in the online community the most. Through internships, I have taken note that it's the personal touches that resonate with employers, such as hand-delivered resumes, thank-you cards and letters that show thoughtfulness and appreciation. Handling complaints with grace shows that you are humble and professional. Exhibiting likeability online, implies that you can share the spotlight by commenting positively on others' work while providing your own projects and activities for others to express their criticism.
These characterisitcs show your attention to detail. The time you took to write letters to supervisors, corrections you made to shortcomings and the positive commentary you gave on someonelses' blog because you hope they will do the same for you, are all gestures that contribute to one's overal likeability.
Lastly, Matrunizzi suggests you lead with your smile as a great touch in becoming likeable. She takes this suggestion from Tim Saunders, author of "The Likeability Factor: How to Boost Your L-Factor & Achieve Your's Life's Dreams." Saunders provides four elements to being perceived as more likeable: friendliness, relevance, empathy, and realness. Overall I feel I posses the likeability factor. I am able to connect and communicate with others, have a humorous and creative personality, and project style and professionalism. However, one factor I can work on is relevance. Saunders explains this as "connecting with others' interests, wants and ideas."
I notice at times I dismiss others interests or wants if they are not in line with my own. I do, however, have the ability to empathize with their feelings but not necessarily their logic or how they go about doing things. This is something I should definitely explore improving. As I study to become a great public relations professional, I must be aware of the "big picture." I must undestand and appreciate the wants, needs and feelings of others so that I can positively and effectively communicate with them.
Thanks, Matrunizzi, for helping me realize this....
No comments:
Post a Comment