Then what is Principle number five of being likeable? Simply put it is talk in terms of other people's interests. Now, you might not immediately recognize this man, but I'm sure you can guess what he did for a living. Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th, President of the United States. He was known for many things. One of these was his ability to speak on a wide range of topics.
He was seemingly very knowledgeable and able to have a conversation with people on a wide range of subjects to it didn't matter the other person's background. They could have been a lawyer, a doctor, a teacher, a salesperson, or even a bus driver. Roosevelt always knew what to say. And this skill most certainly helped with his success in life. So what was the secret? It's simple.
Whenever he expected a visitor to the next day, he would stay up late researching and reading about the subject that he knew they were most interested in that way? He could be a good conversationalist when it was time. There's an old saying that goes, the road to a person's heart is to talk about the things they treasure most. And this couldn't be more appropriate, nor could it be more true. Do you remember the previous principle Principle number four? Well, if you already forgot, it was encourage people to talk about themselves.
While you're getting people to talk about themselves. Listen closely, and listen for clues about what they're interested in. Surely, you'll be able to pick up on their body language, their tone of voice and their mannerisms, when they start talking about something that they're particularly interested in. Once you pick up on that, start asking questions, ask them to talk more about that topic. Ask them to explain. Ask them the history ask them why.
There are a whole range of questions that you can ask on that particular topic. So this is the art conversation, not only getting people to talk more about themselves, but you to talk about their interests. Yes, it seems a little one sided. But that's the art of likability. That's the art of conversation. It's a combination of two things, right?
Listening and what? Yes, speaking. So can you guess what's the sixth principle of likeability? Well, before we go there, let's just remind ourselves, the fifth principle of likability is talk in terms of other people's interests. Okay, let's get ready for the sixth and final principle coming up soon.