Loving Likeability!

After listening to Likeability Factor 1.75 times (my iPod reset itself when I was 75% of the way done with it, and I couldn't find my place so I just started over), I have come to understand the power of likeability, and realize that being able to be liked is a key to making it great. I've personally seen this knowledge change my life, and never been able to put a name to it. As I've mentioned before, I wasn't always a nice, likeable, authentic guy. I won't bore you with the details, but trust me; the Phil you now know is not the same Phil you would have met 10 or so years ago. This is Phil Gerbyshak 4.1, a new and improved Phil with better features that benefit you (and me too). But enough about me, on to the book.

Tim's message of authentic likeability is a great one. If people like you, they're willing to help you, and if they are willing to help you, you can be successful. The MORE they like you (Tim calls this a higher L factor), the MORE they're willing to help you. Simple concept, right?

Tim mentions 4 areas you can develop to improve your likeability:

Friendliness, Relevance, Empathy, and Realness.

What are Tim's recommendations on how to do these things? Glad you asked. I won't share them all, just the ones I've already started using and that have made HUGE difference in my life!

Friendliness
You can start by saying a warm hello to more people. SMILE all the time! It won't kill you! HONEST!

Relevance
Try to help people out more than they help you out, even people who can never repay you. Volunteer for an organization you know nothing about, or better yet, volunteer for one you're already passionate about, but have been putting off for years. Don't mention your title, or force the fact that they need to send your boss a letter to show off that you're volunteering there. Just dig in and help out!

Empathy
Care about people. Care about what they do, try to understand what they say, why they say it, and actually try to understand what they are going through.

Realness
Be honest, be vulnerable, be authentic, and be THERE for people. REALLY Listen to what people have to say, and take a genuine interest in the words they say, and in their life.

My advice to you is to BUY THIS BOOK and buy yourself a companion notebook or 2 to take copious notes. Buy a notebook that's at least 100 pages in size. My advice is a Moleskine. And buy yourself a nice pen or pencil to write with. I frequently use the Uniball 207, because it doesn't bleed, and if you get your paper wet, it won't smear. Take the time to journal your likeability thoughts from the exercises Tim goes through and you can't help but be more likeable.

Admittedly I haven't completed all the exercises, but I am planning to go buy the paperback and create a full journal for myself from this outstanding book. I know I missed a few of the tips because I listened to it on my iPod, so buying the physical book will help me review and learn to be more likeable.

Recommendation for Improving the book, Likeability Factor
My only recommendation to make Likeability Factor EVEN better? Tim should make a companion workbook (a "likeability diary" if you will) to take all the exercises he recommends instead of having us write them down in your own notebook or write in your copy of the book. Maybe he's got this at his Lovecat Leadership seminars, but if not, as I mentioned, I'll be buying a notebook just for this book soon.

Here are some other resources for you about Likeability Factor

• Buy the Likeability Factor audio book at Amazon
• Download the audio to your iPod at Audible.com
• Buy the physical book (recommended) at 800-CEO-READ or Likeability Factor Hardcover at Amazon
• Some information about the book and about the "L factor" on Tim's website
• Watch/listen to Tim talk about Likeability Factor via Microsoft Live Meeting
• Enjoy the “Likeability Podcast”
• Read about Likeability in Information Technology

I've created a list of my other book reviews as well.

Make it a great day!
Phil

Phil Gerbyshak
http://makeitgreat.org

NOTE: The baby picture was originally posted here. I have no kids...YET!

Comments

[Michael]

Phil 4.1, eh? I think Phil is closer to version 11.4.302 or version 4.1.102 if you're not including all of the beta versions of Phil from 10 years ago... ;)