People who are liked at work tend to be good communicators.
They often know how to talk to all kinds of people, regardless of the situation. Vanessa Van Edwards, a behavioral researcher and best-selling author who teaches a program on effective organizational communication at Harvard University, says strong communication can help strengthen relationships and build respect in the workplace.
You can make some small changes. Van Edwards says to get the most out of your interactions with colleagues, start with the initial greeting. “Make it a habit to greet people warmly, whether it’s a smile, a nod, or a quick ‘good morning.'”
Don’t miss: Exclusive Black Friday discounts on courses that will help you make more money and get ahead at work
And when you’re speaking, don’t forget to pay attention to your intonation and changes in the pitch and tone of your voice, adds Van Edwards, who also teaches the Masterclass People Intelligence course. “Speak with a downward intonation. Don’t accidentally use uptalk (question inflection) in your speech. This is especially important when mentioning first impressions or important information,” she says. “Make this a daily habit.”
Other communication strategies can also help you become more likeable at work. Here are two more tips from other experts.
Make time for small talk
On the surface, small talk may seem unimportant, especially if you have other more pressing commitments at work. But according to Lorraine K. Lee, keynote speaker, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and author of Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career, making time for non-essential conversations can go a long way.
“Likeable people treat these interactions as meaningful, not optional, and are always present, even in the midst of quick interactions,” Lee wrote on CNBC Make It on September 8. “These moments may seem small on their own, but they grow over time. They humanize you and help you build stronger relationships.”
Her advice: “Next time you feel like rushing out of a small talk with a coworker, take extra time and ask one more question to make sure you leave a lasting impression,” she writes.
know when to go
Reading the mood in a room is an important skill, especially during conversations.
If the other person keeps giving curt and uninteresting replies such as “Oh” or “I see.” Don’t try to force the conversation by saying, “Hmm, yeah.” Instead, stop doing it and try again later, Ellen Hendricksen, a clinical psychologist at Boston University, wrote on March 5.
Typically, when someone is chatting, they will respond with a “conversational doorknob,” Hendricksen wrote. Coined by a social scientist named Adam Mastroianni, this term refers to “anything that piques your interest, reminds you of something else, makes you question, or makes you say, ‘No way! Me too!'” I can relate,” she wrote.
When you’re trying to build a relationship, you might see the lack of doorknob conversation as an opportunity to keep talking and ask more questions. But cutting the conversation short won’t make you seem unlikable or unempathetic, writes Hendricksen.
“Lowering the bar may feel wrong, especially for perfectionists who are used to aiming high, but doing so allows more friends and potential friends to jump over that bar and join in,” she wrote.
Earn more and get ahead with CNBC’s online courses. Black Friday has begun! Use coupon code GETSMART to get 25% off select courses and 30% off exclusive bundles. Offer valid from November 17th to December 5th, 2025.
Plus, sign up for the CNBC Make It newsletter for tips and tricks to succeed at work, money, and life, and request to join our exclusive community on LinkedIn to connect with experts and colleagues.
