Episode 506: The Success Skill Everyone Overlooks

Have you ever wondered why some people shoot ahead while others, equally talented and equally driven, keep hitting invisible walls? It is almost never about capability. It is about how they show up, how they are perceived, and how they make people feel in the first five seconds of entering a room. In this Fitness Friday episode, I break down why likability is one of the most underrated success advantages and how small habits like a real smile, remembering someone's name, or actually listening can change the way people respond to you instantly. I also talk about the mindset traps that keep high performers stuck: over-talking, people-pleasing, and trying to impress instead of connect. If you know you are capable of more but feel like something small keeps blocking your momentum, this conversation is going to click everything into place. Tune in and take notes. This one is simple, actionable and a total game changer. What we discuss: (01:51) Why likability gets you ahead (03:29) How smiling and body language change everything (04:11) Why remembering someone's name is a power move (05:11) The 70/30 rule and the power of asking questions (06:09) How to give genuine compliments (07:16) Why listening is a secret weapon Thank you to our sponsor: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com http://therasage.com/ and use code Be Bold for 15% off Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com http://airdoctorpro.com/ and use promo code HUSTLE40 for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www http://www/.magicmind.com http://magicmind.com//jen and use code Jen at checkout. Momentous: Shop this link https://www.livemomentous.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorDUIZz3psr1Qsq_n1yE8_6JTq_QUFabOO9lH65HDEXCIoJOPLj and use code Jen for 20% off Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order Prolon: Get 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit https://prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift. Amp fit is the perfect balance of tech and training, designed for people who do it all and still want to feel strong doing it. Check it out at joinamp.com/jen https://www.joinamp.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=in-stream&utm_campaign=jen Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen https://www.instagram.com/therealjencohen/ Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:01Speaker 00

  Hi guys, this is Tony Robbins. You're listening to Habits and Hustle. Crush it.

• 0:08Jen Cohen?

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• 0:54Jen Cohen?

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• 1:35Jen Cohen?

  Hi, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Habits and Hustle. And today, we're diving right into something that might surprise you. The secret success skill nobody talks about enough, and that's being likable. You could be the most talented, hard-working, brilliant person in your industry, but if people don't like you, they won't want to work with you, won't want to promote you and definitely not collaborate with you. Likable people get called back faster. They get invited to the rooms others don't get invited to, and they get opportunities. So let's break down why likability matters more than ever and five simple ways to instantly become more likable. Are you ready? All right. So let's get going.

• 2:20Jen Cohen?

  First of all, I want to say that a question that I get a lot is, let's be real, why do some people with less skill, less talent, less experience, keep getting ahead? And is it really just because they're more likeable? And the answer is, hell, yeah. Likability builds trust and trust creates opportunity. Simple as that. People do business with people they actually want to be around, that they actually like and can kind of stand their company. Being competent gets you noticed, but guess what?

• 3:03Jen Cohen?

  Being likeable gets you chosen. Emotional intelligence often outperforms the technical skill. You don't have to be everyone's best friend. That's absolutely the contrary. Just someone others want in the room. In fact, people dislike people pleasing, which we'll get into later. Another major question that I get all the time is, you say one of the easiest ways to be more likeable is to smile more. But come on, can someone that simple, something that simple, actually make a big difference? Guess what? Yes, the answer is yes.

• 3:44Jen Cohen?

  Smiling changes your energy and people mirror instantly what you do. It's a visual cue for warmth, confidence, and approachability. Nonverbal communication shapes people's experience and first impressions more than actually words do. A genuine smile disarms people. It takes away the tension and builds a quick rapport. Likability starts before you even open your mouth. Your body language speaks first. In fact, body language is more important than actually the words coming out of your mouth. And another question I get a lot is,

• 4:28Jen Cohen?

  why is remembering someone's name such a powerful move? It feels small, doesn't it? But it really matters so much. Number one, everybody likes hearing their name. It makes people feel special and it makes them feel close to you. Using someone's name activates reward centers in the brain. It makes people feel seen, valued, and actually, most importantly, respected. Most people don't do it. That's why it stands out so much. It shows attention to detail and actually genuine connection. I know on this podcast, when people say my name in mid-sentence, I always feel closer to them. And I'm always like, oh, we're actually friends.

• 5:12Jen Cohen?

  It kind of like creates much more of a lubricant in the dynamic and in the relationship than just kind of skating by.

• 5:27Jen Cohen?

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• 6:11Jen Cohen?

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• 6:54Jen Cohen?

  Go to prolonlife.com/jennifercohen and use Jennifer Cohen to claim your discount and bonus. That's prolonlife.com/jennifercohen and use code Jennifer Cohen.

• 7:13Jen Cohen?

  Another big one I get is, okay, here's a big one. You tell people to stop talking about themselves and ask more questions. Why is that such a game changer? Guess what? Curiosity is confidence. It shows you're not self-absorbed. That's really what it does, number one. It also builds connection. It builds opportunity. And guess what? It also shows that you have bigger and broader interests. The best conversationalists do less talking and way more listening. In fact, my rule is a 70/30 rule. Listen 70% of the time and talk 30% of the time.

• 7:55Jen Cohen?

  Asking questions builds not only the connection faster than just trying to impress them, but like I said, it actually makes people feel connected to you. Number five, compliments can get weird fast. How do you give one without sounding fake or like you're sucking up? That's another great question. I think you've got to be very specific. Great job is forgettable when you say, yeah, great job, or how are you? I love how you handled that call. Sticks out way more when you're more specific and you are saying something that is kind of not what they would expect. Another thing is authenticity is much different than flattery.

• 8:40Jen Cohen?

  People can feel the difference. Focus on effort, skill, and also mindset. Don't focus on appearance. Genuine compliments strengthen relationships and boost morale. The more observant you are, the more meaningful your praise becomes.

• 8:58Jen Cohen?

  And one more question that I get a lot, especially after I did this likability talk, is listening sounds so simple, but you say it's actually a secret weapon. Well, and they ask me why that is. Because true listening is very rare. Most people are waiting for their next turn to talk. Presence is power. It signals confidence and respect. People open up more when they feel they're being heard. It builds trust faster than any sales pitch. In a world addicted to distraction, your full attention is your competitive edge. And guess what, guys? Likability isn't about being fake. It's actually about being smart. Smile more.

• 9:44Jen Cohen?

  Remember people's names. Ask real questions. And give genuine compliments. And listen like it matters. It's pretty common sense, but sometimes they say common sense isn't so common. These are just small little actions that compound into massive results. Because no matter how talented or skillful and smart you are, guess what? If people don't like you, it doesn't matter. And one other thing I want to leave you with is likability amplifies. So whatever you do have as your skill set or as your intelligence or your talent, it actually gets magnified when people actually like you and want to be around you. So just remember that. Have a good one. Guys, don't forget to subscribe and comment

• 10:29Jen Cohen?

  because that's how we keep the show as a show. Have a good one. Bye bye.