These Body Language Tricks Will Make People Instantly Like You

#1 Show excitement

You might not be abnormally thrilled to see a co-worker come in for the day, but showing extra excitement about seeing them in the morning makes a lasting impression, provided you’re sincere in your actions. Humans tend to mirror the actions they see around them, Bradberry explains, meaning that your co-workers are likely to mirror that excitement back on to you.

“It’s an easy way to make a strong first impression and to get people to like you,” Bradberry writes.

Even if you’re not an overly charismatic person, try using warm greetings and a smile each time you see a new person in the morning. Maybe that means getting an extra hour of sleep or another coffee from Starbucks, but do what you need to so that you can be a lively presence in the office.

#2 Attitude and body language

We all have naturally judgmental minds. Our minds instantly place people into boxes of “threat” and “no threat”. So in order to gain a better social standing, you need to pay particular attention to this instinct of the brain. Thinking about the list below will show how you can influence the other person into liking you without saying a word.

#3 Make appropriate eye contact

It’s well known that too much eye contact can be overbearing and seem aggressive – something we’ve warned about in the past. But not maintaining any eye contact is the quickest way to tell other people you’re not interested in what they have to say, which won’t earn you any brownie points.

According to Bradberry, meeting eyes with someone for about 60% of the time is a good balance. “Maintaining eye contact for roughly 60% of a conversation comes across as interested, friendly, and trustworthy,” he said.

#4 Feel secure and confident

If you want to seem confident, you need to believe you’re confident.

Try and get rid of things that make you uncomfortable and nervous. Such things are constant reminders in your life of how you’re not the best. Sure, being humble is great, but having no self-esteem leads to you being under confident and that never helped anybody.

#5 Manipulative sneaky person

Bad people are bad. Bad people who manipulate are problematic. An example of this:

Mean Girl wants to reduce the social standing of Sweet Classmate

She tells the other classmate this person did something horrible

The class likes Sweet Classmate less

Sweet Classmate feels sad now

#6 Friendly manipulation

Manipulation can make everyone in a situation better off.

Party Person is an experienced manipulator.

Party Person bumps into another person.

Party Person smiles disarmingly and apologizes, even though the other person was wrong.

Party Person doesn’t get into a fight and has a great night.

The problem with the Mean Girl example is not the manipulation, the problem is bad intentions and lying.

#7 Ask for a favor

We know that asking for advice from co-workers is a good way to make a positive first impression. Even though it might seem counterintuitive at first, asking for favors even when you’re a well-seasoned employee is a great way to earn people’s trust and fondness.

The reason is that people will unconsciously come up with mental justifications for going out of their way for you. “Typical justifications include things such as ‘he’s my friend,’ ‘I like him,’ and ‘he seems like the kind of person who would return the favor,’ ” Bradberry explains. Not only do these bolster your reputation in that person’s mind, but you also get help with something you’re working on. For you, it’s a win-win.

#8 Posture

You are constantly communicating to the people you meet. Even when you’re silent. Posture is a major part of body language and it directly affects the first image people get about you.

#9 Always have some tension in your core

Your abs, back, and general core should never be flaccid/floppy when you stand or sit. Keep your abs and core in general under some tension. Not only does it reflect well upon your posture, but it also makes it easier to move with grace.

#10 Always think about what you can give others

Always focus on what you can give, instead of what you can get. Helping people goes a long way, and usually, ends up in a win-win situation.

But only give advice when the other person asks for it or really needs it. Trying to help and give advice when it’s not needed is always counter productive.

#11 Convey Care and Eliminate Nervousness

So much nervous energy comes from our social anxiety over whether somebody likes us or not.

The quickest way to convey good will and relaxation:

Put your full attention on the other person.

With a certain stillness, pay attention to their nuances, their tonalities.

Listen to their words for what lights up their delight, what scares them, what inspires them, what they worry about.

Ask deepening questions. Every human carries pain and hurt and we all wear a mask to cover them up. Listen for the real self behind the mask.

Everybody wants to be seen – and seen with compassion.

#12 Position your feet at about hip width apart

The stance of your feet says a lot about you. It’s not an exact science, but putting your feet closer together generally signifies insecurity, whereas a wider stance indicates confidence.

Both holding your feet too close together and too far apart can reflect badly on you.

#13 Stand up straight, but relaxed

For a positive posture of the entire body, try and stand up straight, always.

Stand with your feet hip-width apart and make yourself stand as tall as you can easily. After standing tall, let your shoulders, neck, and head relaxed. Angle your head so you’re looking the person in the eye.

Some tips:

Relax as much as possible while maintaining your posture.

Don’t puff your chest, it should be flat as if you are lying on a floor.

Pull your shoulders back very slightly.

#14 The Power of Touch

Everybody wants to feel special. We all have our stories, our triumphs, our tales of woe and glory. And even if we don’t admit it – we love it when people take an interest in our unique life.So be radically curious when you meet people.

Seek the gems of their life – what they love most, what they are most proud of.

When they tell of a hardship, simply reflect that right back with, “That sounds like it was hard.”

When they tell a tale of triumph, put your hand up and high-five or “fist-bump” them – which adds a solid physical contact as a kind of “punctuation mark”.

They will feel far more connected to you.

#15 Appear Open and Undefended

Think about what you do when you are angry at someone, or outraged or disappointed. What do you do?

You fold your arms over your chest.

Crossing your arms over your chest is a body language expression of self-defense, very much like holding a shield over your heart.

When you do that socially, you are sending a signal that you don’t feel safe – and thereby “accusing” your interlocutor of being a threat, if even on a subtle level.

So, keep your arms relaxed and to the side.

#16 Breathe to the Point Just Below your Belly

Deep breathing supports a strong, upright spine and a relaxed posture. Shallow breath, by contrast, connotes nervousness.

If you take short sharp breaths, people are apt to wonder, “What are you so nervous about? What are you hiding? What’s bothering this guy?”

So especially if you are in any way nervous or have social anxiety – just take three big breaths – inhaling on a four count – and visualize pulling them right down through your chest all the way to the depth of your belly – right below your belly-button.

Hold the breath there a moment and let our slowly on a four count. Your body will naturally relax.

And people will relax with you.

#17 Sit up straight, but not rigid

Whenever you’re sitting, make it a point to keep your back straight. It is a power posture that is guaranteed to make you feel more authoritative. Just don’t be too rigid while sitting, relax as much as you can while keeping the back straight.

#18 Smile As You Walk In

Mother Theresa said, “peace begins with a smile”. And she’s right.

People immediately want to be close to someone who is smiling, because people are naturally allured to joy and good feeling.

When you enter a room, when you go to greet someone, when you take in the world around you, try smiling a bit more.

You will find that people are suddenly and markedly more attracted to you.