9 personality traits that make someone an exceptionally likable person

Ever met someone who everyone just seems to like?

They’re the kind of people who can make friends in an empty room.

Well, it’s not just luck or magic – it’s about their personality traits.

These are the little things that make them stand out and make them really likable.

In this article, we’ll look at 9 personality traits that can help anyone be more likable. 

1. Empathy

We all know what it feels like when someone just ‘gets’ us. It’s comforting, isn’t it? That’s empathy in action!

Empathy is all about understanding and sharing the feelings of others.

It doesn’t mean you have to agree with what they’re saying or feeling, but rather that you can understand where they’re coming from.

When you show empathy, you’re showing that you care about others and their experiences.

It involves really listening to people when they talk and trying to see things from their point of view.

This can make people feel valued and heard, which naturally makes them feel more positively towards you.

Think about it this way – if you had a really bad day and wanted to talk about it, would you rather talk to someone who brushes off your feelings? Or someone who takes the time to understand why you’re upset? Most of us would choose the latter, right? That’s the power of empathy!

The good news is that empathy is a skill that can be learned and improved over time. It starts with being a good listener and paying attention to the emotions of those around you.

Practice makes perfect, so start practicing empathy today and see how much more likable it makes you!

Absolutely, let’s move on to the second trait!

2. Positivity

Positivity is like a breath of fresh air! It’s all about having a hopeful and optimistic attitude.

A positive person tends to see the good in people, finds joy in the little things, and expects the best possible outcome from any situation. Sounds pretty refreshing, right?

When you’re a positive person, you naturally make others feel good around you. It’s like spreading sunshine wherever you go!

People are more likely to be attracted to your happy aura and want to spend time with you.

But remember, being positive doesn’t mean ignoring the bad stuff. Everyone has bad days, and it’s okay to feel down sometimes.

Positivity is about choosing to focus on the good, even when things aren’t going well.

It’s about lifting others up with your energy and helping them see the silver linings.

So how can you become more positive?

Start by practicing gratitude – appreciate the good things in your life, no matter how small they may be.

Avoid negative talk and try to find a positive spin on things. Surround yourself with positive people who lift you up rather than bring you down.

Being a positive person won’t just make you more likable – it’ll also make you happier! So why not give it a try?

Your sunny disposition might just be the beacon of light that brightens someone’s cloudy day!

3. Honesty

One of the things I’ve learned in life is that honesty truly is the best policy. It might sound cliche but it’s true! Let me share a little story with you to illustrate this point.

A few years ago, I was working on a big project at work. It was a challenging assignment and I was really pushing myself to meet the deadline.

In the rush of it all, I made a mistake – a pretty big one that could potentially set the project back.

I had two choices: try to cover up my mistake and hope nobody noticed, or own up to it and face the consequences. I chose honesty.

I immediately informed my manager about the mistake and apologized for it.

Of course, it wasn’t fun to admit that I’d messed up, but it felt like the right thing to do.

To my surprise, my manager appreciated my honesty. Instead of getting angry or disappointed, he praised me for being upfront about it.

We quickly found a solution and managed to get the project back on track without much delay.

From that experience, I learned that people respect honesty. Sure, mistakes aren’t fun, but they’re part of being human.

When you’re honest about your mistakes, you show that you’re responsible and reliable. And those are traits that people really appreciate!

4. Humor

Who doesn’t love a good laugh?

Humor is a fantastic trait that can make you incredibly likable. It has this incredible power to break the ice, lighten up any atmosphere, and bring people together like nothing else.

Did you know that laughter is universal across all cultures? It’s true! According to studies, every human culture across the globe uses laughter to express joy and establish social bonds.

It’s like a universal language that connects us all!

When you bring humor into your interactions, you’re not just making people laugh – you’re helping to create a positive, friendly environment where people feel comfortable and relaxed.

Whether it’s cracking a witty joke, sharing a funny story, or simply laughing at yourself when you trip over your own feet, humor can make you more approachable and likable.

But remember, humor should always be respectful and considerate of others’ feelings.

Offensive or hurtful jokes can do more harm than good.

So keep it light, keep it fun, and keep them laughing!

With a good sense of humor, you’ll not only be the life of the party but also someone people genuinely enjoy being around.

5. Generosity

Generosity is a trait that touches hearts and leaves a lasting impression. It’s about giving freely and selflessly, without expecting anything in return.

This doesn’t only refer to material things – you can be generous with your time, your help, and even your kind words.

Imagine this: You’re having a rough day, feeling low and beaten down.

Then, out of the blue, someone offers you a helping hand or even just a warm smile.

It’s like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, isn’t it? That’s the power of generosity.

Generosity shows that you’re not just thinking about yourself, but also about others around you.

You’re willing to step out of your comfort zone to help someone else. And that selflessness is deeply moving and attractive to others.

Being generous doesn’t mean you have to give away everything you own. Small acts of generosity can make a big difference too.

Maybe it’s helping a co-worker with a difficult task, offering to babysit for a stressed-out friend, or even just giving up your seat on the bus for someone who needs it more.

Every act of generosity sends out ripples of kindness into the world.

And those ripples can reach further than you might think. 

6. Confidence

Confidence is something I’ve personally struggled with, but over time, I’ve learned that it’s a key trait in being likable. Let me share a bit of my journey with you.

Growing up, I was always the shy kid. I’d hesitate to speak up, afraid that people would judge me or laugh at my ideas.

But as I got older, I realized that this fear was holding me back. I decided it was time to work on my confidence.

It wasn’t an overnight change, but gradually, I started pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I began speaking up more, sharing my ideas and expressing my opinions.

Sure, there were times when people disagreed or criticized me. But you know what? It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be.

As I became more confident, I noticed a change in how people responded to me. They listened when I spoke and respected my opinions.

My relationships improved, both personally and professionally. People were more attracted to my confident energy.

From my experience, I can say that confidence isn’t about being arrogant or thinking you’re better than others.

It’s about believing in yourself and your abilities. It’s about standing up for what you believe in and not being afraid to be yourself.

Building confidence takes time and practice, but trust me, it’s worth it!

Not only will it make you more likable, but it will also open up new opportunities and help you live life to the fullest. 

7. Active Listening

We’re so caught up in our own thoughts, our own agenda, that we often fail to truly hear what others are saying.

We’re nodding along while mentally preparing our next point or simply getting lost in our own world.

But here’s the thing: people can tell when you’re not really listening. And it feels pretty lousy to pour your heart out to someone who’s just going through the motions.

Active listening is different.

It’s about fully focusing on the person who’s speaking, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully.

It means putting aside your distractions and giving the other person your full attention.

When you listen actively, you’re sending a powerful message: “I value what you have to say. I respect your thoughts and feelings.”

And that can make a world of difference in how people perceive you.

So next time you’re in a conversation, try this: put down your phone, look the other person in the eye, and really listen.

You’d be surprised at how much more you understand and how much deeper your connections become.

Active listening might not be easy, but it’s one of the most significant traits you can cultivate to become more likable. 

8. Respectfulness

Respect is a cornerstone of all healthy relationships and interactions.

It’s about acknowledging the feelings and rights of others, treating them with kindness, and valifying their opinions, even when they differ from yours.

Respect for other people is considered one of the most desirable values across different cultures worldwide.

That’s right – regardless of nationality, race, or religion, people universally value respect.

When you treat people with respect, you show that you value them as individuals. You acknowledge their worth and dignity.

This can make people feel appreciated and valued, which naturally makes them more inclined to like you.

Being respectful doesn’t mean you have to agree with everyone or let others walk all over you.

It simply means treating others as you would like to be treated – with kindness, understanding, and consideration.

9. Patience

Patience is a virtue that I’ve had to learn the hard way. Let me tell you, it hasn’t always been my strong suit.

I used to be one of those people always in a hurry. If something didn’t happen right away, I’d get frustrated.

If someone was taking too long to do something, I’d get annoyed.

But over time, I realized that this impatience wasn’t doing me any favors.

In fact, it was only causing me unnecessary stress and strain.

So, I decided to work on being more patient. It wasn’t easy and it took time (which is kind of ironic when you think about it!). But eventually, I started noticing the benefits.

I became calmer and less stressed. I had fewer arguments and misunderstandings with others. People started enjoying my company more because they didn’t feel rushed or pressured around me.

By learning patience, I discovered that not everything needs to happen right now. Sometimes, waiting can lead to even better outcomes.

And sometimes, people just need a little more time and understanding.

From my experience, I can tell you that patience really is a virtue – one that can make you more likable and your life a lot less stressful. 

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Picture of Lachlan Brown

Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the editor of Ideapod and founder of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 6 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. If you to want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Twitter or Facebook.

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