I was fascinated by an article about Jennifer Hyman, CEO of Rent the Runway, who attributed her business success to just two words: "Be likable."
Hyman made the statement to a group of students at a Stanford Graduate School business event. "Hyman's strategy — being warm, engaging and actively listening — helped sell her ideas as both an intern and a CEO," the CNBC article said.
No matter what business you think you are in, you are in the people business. And the more people like you, the better and easier life becomes.
It's that simple.
Likability can help to get you where you want to go — whether it's a promotion at work, running a company, election to a political office, building a wonderful circle of friends. People like people who are genuine, pleasant, sincere, easy to talk with and friendly.
Since most of us spend more than a third of our lives at work, it's important to be likable, which will allow us to be more successful.
Likability is crucial in the sales game because people buy from people they like.
Motivational author Dale Carnegie provided a helpful hint at being more likable when he said: "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."