We tend to go the extra mile for people we like, thanks to something called the liking-bias. This psychological phenomenon explains why we are more willing to put in extra effort for those we have positive feelings towards.
You still need to be yourself though.
Authenticity is about being true to yourself, and it's natural that not everyone will resonate with your personality or approach.

You don't need to be everyone's favorite to succeed, but it can definitely be a plus. Building strong, positive relationships can open doors and create opportunities that might not otherwise be available.

Trying to change people is a bad idea

Often times when we aren’t happy with someone’s performance, we wish that they were more like us.
We imagine that the amount of problems would then decrease.

Doing that is probably the worst thing you can do, if you want to be liked by others.

When we wish that others were more like us, it is our goal to change them.
Most people don’t like that idea because it feels like a thread to who they are as a person.

Here are some things you can do in order to be liked and to get more favors…

What to do

1. Attention

2. Mirroring

3. Reciprocity

4. Compliments

5. Don’t judge
   

Attention:
Everyone loves a bit of attention, right? To come across as likable, it's important to really listen to what others are saying. When someone gives us their full attention, it makes us feel heard and valued, like we truly matter.
Good listeners make this happen by paying close attention to our words.
Active listening is key—it means making eye contact and showing genuine interest in the person you're talking to.
It also means staying focused on them without getting distracted by what's going on around you. People can quickly tell if you're not really listening, and let's be honest, nobody enjoys that. Try asking a question about something they've mentioned during the conversation. It shows you're engaged and truly interested in what they have to say.

Mirroring:
Affinity bias is a psychological phenomenon where we tend to favor and feel more comfortable around people who remind us of ourselves.
This bias often manifests in our personal and professional interactions, influencing our preferences and decisions. Recognizing affinity bias can be a sign that we're on the right track toward understanding human behavior and improving our interpersonal skills.

One effective way to tap into the benefits of affinity bias is through a technique known as mirroring. Mirroring involves subtly imitating another person's gestures, speech patterns, or attitudes to create a sense of rapport and connection. This doesn't mean you have to mimic every single move they make, nor should you be disingenuous or overly obvious about it.

Reciprocity:
When you do something nice for someone, they often feel a natural urge to return the favor. It's just how we're wired-to treat others the way they've treated us.
This idea, known as reciprocity, suggests that people feel a kind of obligation to give back, whether it's through discounts, concessions, or other acts of kindness.
Psychology tells us that this happens because we really don't like feeling indebted to others.

Compliments:
Want to make a great impression right away? Try giving someone a genuine, thoughtful compliment! Everyone enjoys being seen in a positive way, and a sincere compliment can really brighten someone's day.
Just make sure your compliment is appropriate and heartfelt. If you overdo it or come across as insincere, it might backfire and seem dishonest.
But when done right, a well-timed compliment can lighten the mood and make future conversations much smoother.

Don’t judge:
One thing people dislike even more than change is feeling judged.
We all like to believe that the way we live our lives and do our jobs is just right. The reality is, most of us aren't too keen on hearing that we're doing something wrong. If you want to be more likable, passing judgment on others is definitely not the way to go.

In conclusion

You don't need to be everyone's favorite to succeed, but it sure doesn't hurt! We naturally tend to help out those we like more than those we don't. Plus, judging or trying to change someone is a surefire way to get the opposite of what you want.

Looking to be more likable? Try out some simple techniques like mirroring and reciprocity. Another fantastic approach is to really listen and pay attention to others. We all enjoy talking about ourselves and appreciate when someone truly notices us. Focus on being interested in others rather than trying to be interesting, and I promise you'll find more people drawn to you.
Remember, while it's not essential, having friends is definitely better than having enemies!

Thank you for reading.