Likeability is the Secret Weapon in Public Speaking.

Bottom line up front:

If people don’t like you, they won’t listen to you.

And if they don’t listen, they won’t act.

Not many people talk about, or consider, the 'likeability factor' when it comes to public speaking, but it's vital.

Likeability isn’t about being everyone’s best friend.

It’s about your work persona. People listen to people they like.

They trust them.
Connect with them.
And can therefore be influenced by them.

That's three things that are damn important in the world of effective public speaking.

This isn't just a personal opinion.

Tim Sanders, in his superb book, The Likeability Factor, proves this with some eye-opening stats:

- Likeability is the number one predictor of whether your ideas will be accepted at work.
- People who are rated as highly likeable are twice as likely to be successful leaders.
- Employees say they’re 40% more likely to stay loyal to a leader they find likeable.

In other words, your smile and warmth aren’t 'soft skills.' They’re hard business drivers.

So how do you come across likeable when you’re speaking?

1. Smile and be upbeat.

Energy is contagious.

If you want your audience engaged, you need to show them that you care enough to show up with enthusiasm.

A genuine smile, and your warmth, relaxes the room. And you too.

Nobody leans in for a monotone lecture, but people will always follow someone who radiates positivity.


2. Be human and relatable.

This is where so many leaders fall short.

They hide behind slides and jargon, forgetting that audiences connect with people, not bullet points.

The easiest way to bridge the gap is by sharing a personal story.
Admit a mistake.
Tell the room what you learned the hard way.
Add a pinch of humour, even at your own expense. Self-deprecation shows humility, and humility builds likeability.


3. Be authentically you.

Audiences can smell 'corporate mode' a mile away.

Drop the script.
Talk the way you talk at home.
Share anecdotes that only you could share.
Authenticity makes you relatable, and relatability makes you memorable.


To sum up

The most effective leaders don’t just demand attention; they earn it through likeability.

Think about the best speeches you’ve ever heard. Chances are, they were the ones where the speaker felt real, approachable, and, yes, likeable.

So if you want your next speech or presentation to land, don’t just tell people what you want them to do.

Make them want to do it for you.

That shift, built on likeability, will achieve more than any slide deck ever could.

Because, in public speaking, likeability could be your secret weapon.


Hate public speaking? Let’s fix that.
Start the journey to banish your fear of public speaking and presenting, improve your confidence, and boost your career prospects. Check out the online masterclass here at Better Public Speaking.