they like — things you can touch on to bond with them. You’ll learn their dislikes — things to avoid in future conversations. You’ll find out what they think about things — their hopes and goals, their fears and insecurities. All of these things help define your role as a friend. How can you help these people? How can you support their goals? How can you put them at ease? You can train yourself to become a good listener. A good listener will run circles at making friends around somebody who talks a lot about themselves. Then become genuinely interested in other people. Listen to them. Talk to them. If they say something you agree with or that reflects your own ideas, it’s easy to be genuinely interested in what they have to talk about. Even if they say something you disagree with or that sounds strange to you, learn to appreciate how and why they developed those ideas. It’s been said that we learn the most from the people who are the least like us. Learning about the differences in people can be interesting. Make the people you meet feel important and do it sincerely. Don’t make them feel important with false flattery. Make them feel important because you take the time to really hear what they have to say. Make them feel important, and you’re going to gain friends. Make friends, and you’re going to be successful.
DON'T FORGET NONVERBAL CUES AL CUES
Remember that nonverbal cues — the little behavioral signals we give to others — are often an important part of building friendship. Maintain eye contact with the person you meet — not a searing glare that makes them feel uncomfortable, but enough to let them feel that they have your undivided attention. Don’t
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