Becoming a “people person” is a lot easier said than done, especially if you don’t like to put yourself out there. Still, there’s no need to worry! Being a people person isn’t about flipping a switch and changing your personality—it’s all about making small, actionable changes in your day-to-day routine. We’ve put together some tips, tricks, and ideas to help you take the first step on your journey.

1

Crank up the enthusiasm.

  1. Cheerful, enthusiastic people tend to make a stronger impression. Imagine you just shared some great news with a couple of your co-workers. One person says, “That’s fantastic! I’m so happy for you!” while the other says, “Oh, that’s nice.” The first person’s reaction is a lot more positive and uplifting, right? Being a people person is all about making a positive impression on the people around you, and being a person others enjoy spending time around.[1]
    • “Kudos!” “Wow, that’s incredible!” or “That’s so exciting!” are just a few ways to add some extra enthusiasm into your conversations.
    • Try to keep the positive energy going, even if you’re having a rough day. For example, if you overslept your alarm before work, you might comment about how nice the weather is instead of complaining about your rough morning.
  2. Advertisement
2

Ditch robotic, automatic replies.

4

Act empathetic instead of sympathetic.

5

Be a good listener.

  1. Believe it or not, being a people person doesn’t involve lots of talking. It’s all about connecting with others in a positive way, and making a good impression. Being an active listener is an easy way to do this. Make eye contact with your conversational partner, and give them your full attention until you’re done chatting.[5]
    • Try making thoughtful comments throughout the conversation. You might say “Mmm-hmm” throughout the conversation, or repeat back some of what the person said.[6]
  2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

  • Question
    How can I be more social and confident?
    Nicolette Tura, MA
    Nicolette Tura, MA
    Authentic Living Expert
    Nicolette Tura is an Authentic Living Expert who operated her own wellness business for more than ten years in the San Francisco Bay Area. Nicolette is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with a Psychology & Mindfulness Major, a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, and is an expert in authentic living. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and got her master's degree in Sociology from SJSU. She constantly draws from her own wounds and challenges; with her training in the healing arts and sociology, she offers potent content, powerful meditations, and game-changing seminars on inspiring elevation on a personal and corporate level.
    Nicolette Tura, MA
    Authentic Living Expert
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    Really celebrate your uniqueness and avoid comparing yourself to others. The more you can believe in yourself, love yourself, and know your worth, the more you will radiate those feelings outwards. Instead of seeing insecurity, fear, and doubt, people will see someone who is authentic and vulnerable. People respond to that more than you know.
  • Question
    How can I start to believe in myself?
    Nicolette Tura, MA
    Nicolette Tura, MA
    Authentic Living Expert
    Nicolette Tura is an Authentic Living Expert who operated her own wellness business for more than ten years in the San Francisco Bay Area. Nicolette is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with a Psychology & Mindfulness Major, a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, and is an expert in authentic living. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and got her master's degree in Sociology from SJSU. She constantly draws from her own wounds and challenges; with her training in the healing arts and sociology, she offers potent content, powerful meditations, and game-changing seminars on inspiring elevation on a personal and corporate level.
    Nicolette Tura, MA
    Authentic Living Expert
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    When you take care of yourself, your internal wisdom will come through to help you take the next step forward. Love your body and surround yourself with people that you can be yourself around. If anyone makes you feel bad about yourself, I would really question the relationship or tell them how you feel. Watch TV shows, read books, and participate in groups and clubs that make you feel better about yourself. Try to focus on the positive and being grateful for what you have, even when difficulties in life come up.
  • Question
    How do I improve my tone or delivery when trying to sound authoritative or in charge?
    Paul Chernyak, LPC
    Paul Chernyak, LPC
    Licensed Professional Counselor
    Paul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.
    Paul Chernyak, LPC
    Licensed Professional Counselor
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    You can use a technique that's called "slow talk." To do this, you'll slow down your speech by 1/3 of your normal rate of speech. This helps you stay calm. You'll also appear to be more thoughtful and sure of your words.
Advertisement

About This Article

Nicolette Tura, MA
Co-authored by:
Authentic Living Expert
This article was co-authored by Nicolette Tura, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Nicolette Tura is an Authentic Living Expert who operated her own wellness business for more than ten years in the San Francisco Bay Area. Nicolette is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with a Psychology & Mindfulness Major, a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, and is an expert in authentic living. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and got her master's degree in Sociology from SJSU. She constantly draws from her own wounds and challenges; with her training in the healing arts and sociology, she offers potent content, powerful meditations, and game-changing seminars on inspiring elevation on a personal and corporate level. This article has been viewed 207,587 times.
17 votes - 76%
Co-authors: 19
Updated: August 27, 2021
Views: 207,587
Article SummaryX

To become a people person, start by making yourself available and approachable to the people around you. You can do this in your day-to-day life by taking your headphones off in public, signing up for a club or social group, and asking open-ended questions like “Where are you from?” or “What did you do this weekend?” Show interest in their response by maintaining eye contact, and allow them to finish speaking before you reply. To learn more about becoming a people person, like how your tone can altered to avoid coming across as rude, scroll down!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement