Think about your workplace? Are you excited to be there, happy to think about going to work each day, or simply enjoy your office environment? If you say YES, it could have to do with the people with whom you work. In a word, you just like them! Most of us want to be liked at our work place.  In fact, being likable on the job can take you far and make your work place enjoyable.

The benefits of a good likability factor are many: Bosses generally promote people they like, and likable people are given more opportunities on the job.  Workers tend to follow leaders they like without a lot of complaints. And being likable also gives you a competitive edge in interviewing and getting jobs.

One characteristic of  likable people is their ability to stay positive on the job. Most of us can stay positive when things go well. But what about when things aren’t going so well? Do you remain optimistic? Likable people do! They see the glass half full instead of empty.

And what about hygiene and respect? Yes, good manners and grooming habits are characteristic of likable people as well. This sounds obvious, but clean clothes, a shower and good hygiene make you approachable. And cleaning up your mouth, as well as your body, is also a way to bring more people into your circle. Poor language skills and bad language are a turn off for many people in the work place.

Humor also makes the list of likability, but it has to be the right type of humor. No off-color jokes or humor that makes people uncomfortable. Along with humor, people like someone who compliments and shows appreciation for a job well done. Now, I am not advocating giving insincere compliments, but research says even insincere compliments work! This speaks to the power of affirmation in all of our lives. We all like compliments!

One other characteristic of likable people relates to insecurities. Of course, we all have them, but the likable person controls them. Communicating your insecurities to a lot of people is a turn off. If you need a confidant at work, find that person, but discussing your insecurities with your co-workers is not a good idea.

Finally, put on humility. Andrew Murray calls humility “the place of entire dependence on God.” He adds, “Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others; it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God, and allows Him as God to do all…. It is simply the sense of entire nothingness, which comes when we see how truly God is all, and in which we make way for God to be all.” Affirm your gratitude toward God and depend on Him in the workplace. As James 4:10 exhorts, “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” And people like those with a humble heart!