7 Secrets of Being Popular

I like this list. It really touches on the need to be authentic in your personal dealings and relationships. I would add to the list the ability to listen and the importance of timing. Both are critical to becoming and remaining popular.

This article needs copyediting desperately–it’s a real distraction from the content. I couldn’t finish reading it.

This is a good list but I have to disagree with #7. Popular opinion may not be what your belief is, but following it quietly is almost like hiding.

Instead, use your belief to find others to accept you. If you are strong in your beliefs, people will be more likely to look up to you.

Popular? As in high school cheerleader? If I tried to be popular at my job, I’d never get anything done or be able to make final decisions to increase productivity. I didn’t take my job to be popular. I took it to be successful and gain revenue for the company. Is that what you are referring to here?

I think there is a lot of unfounded criticism and negativity in the comments on this article. The intention is clearly to give advice on how to become well-liked by being authentic and real – something that’s important to many people (if not all) in every walk of life. There are ways to get things done/make money/etc without being a dictator or an unlikeable person. And don’t fool yourself into thinking that people don’t work harder for people they like and admire.

To those who criticize the grammar in this post, I propose that you write an article in a language other than your native tongue and see if you sound half as eloquent.

Thanks for this article.

Thanks for the wide range of comments.

I think Peter asks some good questions. – in particular, what does it mean to be popular?

One thing I was trying to suggest is that those who strive after popularity, gain only a rather superficial popularity.

I think people who follow the ideals mentioned here, are probably not that bothered about their personal standing. Yet, it is these people who often gain an uninvited popularity.

I think the author of the article confuses popularity with respect. A dog is very popular, but you wouldn’t want it running one of your departments. It’s easy to make everyone like you and not feel threatened by you. A totally different list of “secrets” is needed if you want to be respected.

There is a componet of charisma with popularity – somebody who can work a room. I think you can increase your popularity by just increasing your social intellegence and becoming more outgoing. It’s more of a pragmatic idea – no one will no about your product no matter how intrinsically good it is unless it’s marketed in some way.

This is actually a list of popularity requirements. you will not be popular if you violate these rules, but they really are not going to make you popular if you just follow them. Here are the real secrets to popularity:

1. Be attractive. Ugly people have a harder time becoming popular, while attractive people can be pretty jerky before the group will abandon them.
2. Be good at some socially acceptable activity. It gives you something to talk about around the water cooler, and it demonstrates that you are a capable person.
3. Popularity is ranked. If someone is more popular than you, you are less popular. Either work to make yourself cooler, more capable or more social, or if you can’t do that, find ways to secretly undermine the more popular people.
4. There are jobs that enhance your popularity and there are jobs that reduce your popularity. Software architect: bad; Investment banker: good. Anything to do with money besides accountant is generally safe.
5. Remember people’s names and use it when you see them. This is a prerequisite of effective networking, which in itself is a key to popularity. But there will be people that you will never actually associate with, however you should still simulate a personal relationship with them so they feel like you are buddies.

If there is a difference, a delta, in who you are based on your work and who you are in actuality or in potential then congratulations – you must be a very focused and motivated individual to be promoted so far beyond your competence.

The fact of the matter is that if who you are at work and who you really are is different – especially if you feel it is required to be good in your role… you could not be more wrong.

It does not matter if you are a saint and your sole (soul?) role is to send 10,000 people to the dole… and then yourself – you should still be who you are.

Being who you are – actually genuine and not a facade – is what makes you popular, respected and trustworthy even in the worst of times, despite the warts on your warts.

It is true that you must assume certain postures to effectively command others – this does not mean you cannot be popular or at least understood and genuinely respected despite the role you must fulfill.

There is an excellent reason that the higher one climbs in life, the nicer the majority becomes – the rest are awaiting certain reconciliation with that specter, competence.

thanks

i want to join and be one of the wirters how can i do this
thanks

You said politicians are not popular, how and why ?

Im Starting my band The American Keepers I hope to be lik Billie Joe Armstrong 1 Day i want my band to be the Next Green Day ill keep this as an edvice   I Will be my self think of others  and have humor be Sweet Nice Loyal Helpful Protective  and All im just 15 going to be 16 in november and i wont stop till im the Next/New Billie Joe Armstrong!!!!!!but being acutall famous will be hard and tuff

The American Keepers The Future/Next Green Day!

wait…..isent popular is known as Famous?….cuss they sound the same