How Do You Get People to Like You? A 5-Year-Old Shares 3 Simple Things You Need to Do Relationships Career

Today I started my first new job in more than 10 years. To say I was nervous is an understatement. As an autistic woman, forging new work relationships has always been hard for me. Meeting new people, trying to remember all the things to do to “fit in,” all while my mind furiously processes a myriad of social, sensory and practical inputs flying at me – well, it’s exhausting and overwhelming.

To account for the oncoming assault, I stayed in bed for as long as possible this morning. My 5-year-old got in with me and asked me if I was OK. I told him what was up and he asked, “Do you think they will like you?” This itself was a miracle, as he was non-verbal until he was 3 1/2 years old, and his conversational language developed even later. But when I answered, “I hope so,” the real magic happened.

He said, “I know what you do to make them like you. It will be OK.” There. Just like that, he took in my feelings and used language to help me feel better. And here is what he said to do:

• Be kind.

• Smile happy, not angry.

• Be very, very kind.

I can’t think of any better advice, can you?

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