Sociable or Unapproachable: Which One Are You?

Sometimes many your interns or employees may be a bit intimidated by their new “real world” position. If they are afraid to ask you questions or to speak their minds, you might be finding yourself in a bit of a pinch down the road with certain people. Open communication is usually the key to success within any company or situation. So ask yourself, am I an approachable boss? If the answer is yes, then by all means, quit reading. However, if you are on that fine line where you are now questioning why people talk to you less than other coworkers, you might want to keep reading.

Even though you may feel that you are extremely easy to talk to, others may have mixed emotions on the matter. Let’s take a step back and reanalyze how others may perceive us, starting with body language. Does your job have you sitting behind a desk all day, or up and walking around? Either way, your arms should not be crossed. You want to give off a good vibe, not one that makes it seem like you are upset or agitated. If you do start speaking with someone, make sure you lean in a bit and keep eye contact. You want to let them know that what they are saying is important and has all of your attention.

When speaking with someone, make sure you are slightly animated. Nobody wants to talk to a monotonic, catatonic bump on a log. Having facial expressions as well as vocal expressions can show that you are human and that you can relate to people on different levels. Also, make sure you ask some questions to show your interest. While they are talking, perhaps nodding can also show your attentiveness.

A very amicable gesture is as simple as a smile. Showing others that you are warm and caring can go a long way in the world of communication. Just remember though, keep it polite and sincere, otherwise it will look phony.

Lastly, if people are not approaching you, perhaps you should approach them. Remember to keep your body language open and inviting, and perhaps flash a smile or two. This will show those around you that you are concerned with their lives, as well as the life of the company. The communication within the company is only as strong as the weakest amplifier.