So, you want to be respected at work. Who doesn’t? And wait, you also want to be liked?  Some people might say that’s asking a lot.

Of course, those same folks might also say that it’s not important whether their colleagues like them. After all, they are “there to work, not make friends”. But the ability to fit into your workplace culture affects everything. The aloof loner might think that everything is just dandy while simultaneously missing opportunities due to poor people skills.

But it’s not impossible, or even difficult, to achieve both respect and rapport. It just requires that you have the right goals and be unafraid to act on them.

I use the acronym “LIKED” to remember the key points:

LISTEN

People want to be heard, and many are frustrated when they feel that their voice isn’t being recognized. Active listening will make people want to keep talking to you. So stop thinking about what you want to say, and listen with 100% of your focus. It will do wonders for your connections with your colleagues, and you also might just learn something along the way.

One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say. ~ Bryant H. McGill

INTERESTED

To genuinely listen, you have to be interested. So get curious and find out what makes your colleagues tick. Ask them about their hobbies, their passions, their career goals. As noted above, many people are dying to connect with someone about the things that are important to them.

KNOWLEDGEABLE

It’s great to be personable, but at some point you have to deliver the goods. Become knowledgeable enough to be a provider of value to your colleagues. Most people only want to know enough to do their job. Make it your mission to know enough to excel at your job and help others excel at theirs.

EMPATHETIC

Genuine empathy is a superpower.  Few have it, and fewer still understand the positive effect it has on others. People are looking for someone to “get” them, and they will gravitate to a colleague who understands their struggles. Keep advice to a minimum; instead, focus on being aware of the challenges of those around you and communicating that in an authentic way.

DELIVER

People are drawn to those who bring home the proverbial bacon. Your goal is to be known for delivering awesomeness. Prioritize, prioritize, and then prioritize some more to make sure that you are spending the majority of your time on the most important tasks and projects. Then consistently review your results to celebrate your successes and learn from your failures.

It is so important to get respect for what you do and at the same time give it. ~ Estelle Parsons

You can create magnetic rapport and inspire great respect at the same time. Being LIKED isn’t about being a social butterfly; it is about creating the ideal conditions for your career to bloom and grow.