The school term is nearly upon us, as is the new year! How about making a resolution to improve your performance in the classroom? Anyone who’s currently teaching in the UK will know how important it is to form a strong bond with their pupils, and being seen as one of the approachable people can make a significant difference. With that in mind, here are five ways to make yourself more approachable.
Understanding Approachability
Approachability is a vital social skill that can greatly impact our personal and professional relationships. It’s about making others feel comfortable and at ease around us, which can lead to stronger connections, better communication, and increased opportunities. Approachability goes beyond just being friendly or outgoing; it involves being mindful of our nonverbal cues, body language, and tone of voice. By understanding what makes us approachable, we can work on developing this skill and improving our relationships with others.
Give genuinely interested constructive feedback
You must make sure that you’re capable of giving constructive feedback. However, social anxiety can often hinder our ability to be approachable, making it essential to address and manage these feelings. If you don’t, you could quickly find that you gain a reputation for being unapproachable. Of course, there’s no reason to be overly positive all the time, just make sure that you don’t say anything that’s unnecessarily negative.
Nonverbal Cues for Approachability
Nonverbal cues play a significant role in conveying our approachability. Our body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice can all contribute to how others perceive us. Open body language, such as uncrossed arms and legs, can make us appear more approachable, while closed body language, like crossed arms or avoiding eye contact, can make us seem less approachable. Being aware of our nonverbal cues and making an effort to project a positive and open attitude can go a long way in making us more approachable.
Eye Contact and Facial Expressions
Eye contact and facial expressions are two of the most important nonverbal cues for approachability. Making direct eye contact with others can help build trust and establish a connection, while avoiding eye contact can make us seem untrustworthy or disinterested. A friendly facial expression, such as a warm smile, can also make us appear more approachable and inviting. By being mindful of our eye contact and facial expressions, we can create a positive and welcoming atmosphere that encourages others to approach us.
Open up your schedule with open body language
It’s vital that you don’t appear rushed off your feet all the time. It’s also important to be aware of any nervous habits, such as fidgeting or touching your face, which can make you appear less confident and approachable. This could give your pupils the impression that you don’t have any extra time for them. It should suffice to simply clear an hour or two throughout the week where your students can come and have a word with you.
Remind your students when you’re free by making eye contact
It would send the wrong message if someone approaches you and you are left with no option but to say, ‘sorry, not now’. You can avoid this quite easily by reminding your class when you’re free throughout the week. You could always tell your students to email you if they have any problems, or you could simply say, ‘I’ll be here for five minutes after the lesson if anyone would like to speak’.
Praise those who ask for help with an inviting smile
If a pupil does approach you then make sure that you show your appreciation. Being a likable person involves showing genuine interest in others and being open to conversations, which can make you more approachable. Some people can find it difficult to ask for support, so you should make sure you take this into account. As well, you could remind your class how pleased you are with the people who have asked for help.
Staying Positive and Accessible
Staying positive and accessible is crucial for being approachable. When we’re in a good mood and open to others, we’re more likely to attract positive relationships and experiences. Being genuinely interested in others and showing a willingness to listen can also make us more approachable. By staying positive and accessible, we can create a magnetic personality that draws others to us.
Make something come from one-to-ones
If you hold one-to-ones with your students, always make sure that they’re beneficial. Paying attention to a person’s body language can also help you understand how they are feeling and respond appropriately. If they’re not, your pupils may question if it’s even worth approaching you for help in future.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
There are several common pitfalls to avoid when it comes to being approachable. One of the biggest mistakes is letting negative emotions, such as anxiety or stress, get the best of us. When we’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, we may unintentionally project a closed-off or unapproachable attitude. Another pitfall is neglecting to make eye contact or using closed body language, which can make us seem unapproachable or uninterested. By being aware of these common pitfalls and making an effort to avoid them, we can work on becoming more approachable and building stronger relationships with others.
Good luck
It would be great to start off on a high note, so follow these five nifty tricks to make yourself more approachable in various social settings. After all, they could make you go from being a good teacher to an amazing teacher.
