Invest in yourself

- As we begin let's get something clear. Likability isn't about being popular or putting on a facade or becoming an accommodating doormat. None of us can be everybody's cup of tea and that's okay. In fact, it's human. In this course, we're not talking about likability on the school playground or Instagram, but rather a quality of emotional intelligence that helps you form collaborative relationships in your career to get things done. Contrary to what many believe, you don't need to share the same interests, think the same way or even have the same beliefs to be considered likable. What it's really about is trust and respect. We can all agree that while we may not see eye to eye with another's point of view, we can still admire their approach, integrity and character when it comes to how they interact and treat others. And that's the likability this course's about, demonstrating emotional regulation and general consideration for those we interact with, even if they're not someone we'd prefer to hang out with on weekends. And the first step is knowing yourself. You might think this is obvious, but when was the last time you reflected on your brand. Brand is just another word for reputation or how you show up the world, and you're always building your brand, even if you're not doing it consciously. Every day others take note of your behaviors and interactions, then come to conclusions based on what they observed which contributes to likability. So why not make sure you're consciously behaving in alignment with the brand you wish to portray. For example, if you want to be promoted into a leadership position, it may be wise to dress the part and start being on time to staff meetings. If you want to be hired for a marketing role, it'll be helpful to attend industry-related events to build your knowledge and contacts, and then tailor your social media to reflect your skills in this area. And regardless of your profession, the likability effect will impact significant things in your career if you make it a part of your brand, including if you get hired, who goes to bat for you, what information others share, which meetings you're invited to, if you get the promotion, which projects or clients you get selected for, and so much more. If you're thinking, "Well that's not fair," you may have a point, but it's the way the world works. Managers hire people they find easy to work with. Think about it. If you had the choice between two competent applicants, but one was always complaining and putting down others' work while the other demonstrated curiosity and recognized others' contributions, which one would you hire? So how do you want to show up in the world? When you pay attention to your brand and make likability a part of it, you'll see more opportunities and less drama coming your way in your career.