Sometimes the way we behave or the things we say can push people away. These may be some of the characteristics that you are not proud of and want to change. Or, on the contrary, it could be something that you consider positive, and the reason why you put off certain people is the way they see you.
In any case, we believe that it is important to be aware of the characteristics that can intimidate others. As a bonus, at the end of the article, we will also tell you what changes you can make in your behavior to maintain a good relationship with your friends and colleagues.
Signs Your Personality Is Intimidating Others
You’re Brutally Honest
Honesty is one of the defining characteristics of your personality. You like to be honest with people, even if sometimes it means telling the hard truth or being honest and hurting someone.
You feel like it’s the right thing to do, to speak your mind rather than sugarcoat things or lie.
You Don’t Like Small Talk
You don’t like wasting time chatting with people about the weather, how the weekend was, or any other topic that people tend to discuss just to be nice and polite.
Small talk seems insignificant to you and you’d rather get straight to the point and discuss things that are really important or have a meaningful conversation.
As a result, you simply skip the niceties or don’t talk to people you know you won’t have an interesting conversation with. And that is why it may seem rude or cold.
You Have No Tolerance For Ignorance
Although you prefer to keep an open mind and enjoy learning new things, others are not always willing to do the same. So when someone starts to criticize, especially about things they don’t know much about, it can upset you.
Try to avoid these people. Or, in the worst-case scenario, you can lose your patience with them and become emotional.
You Can’t Stand People Who Complain
You don’t make excuses and therefore do not accept them either, and expect others to do the same. You’d rather have people recover and take care of their problems than waste time feeling sorry for themselves. And if you have to work with these people, you feel like they are wasting your time as well.
Therefore, you can be direct and express your opinion. Because of this, people can see you as soulless and unsympathetic, as if you are a robot who only cares about getting results and is indifferent to the struggles you go through.
There may also be certain characteristics of your personality that are really nothing but positive. However, some people may also find them intimidating.
1. You Stick To Your Word
With honesty comes the ability to keep your word. When you make promises, you keep them. However, not everyone can do this. So when everyone sees that your word is their bond, compares themselves to you, and sees the contrast, they can feel humiliated and powerless.
2. You’re Open-minded
Trying and learning new things doesn’t bother you, unlike some people. You are open to hearing both sides of the story and your decisions and opinions take them into account. You are inspired by the unknown, which can cause you to start doing things differently from others.
But new and strange things often take people out of their comfort zone. So when you challenge their way of thinking, they may feel threatened by you.
How To Maintain Good Relationships With Your Friends And Colleagues
Try to think about how people will feel after telling them something with absolute honesty. If anyone can handle the truth, tell them. But some people can really feel hurt by your words and, as a result, they can damage your relationship with that person. Try to convey your thoughts sincerely but with respect.
For example, if you are giving someone bad news, you can be frank, but also try to show your support. Or if you have to criticize someone else’s work, focus on your actions and don’t blame your faults as a person. Show that you care about doing the job well and give them advice on what they can do better.
Since people are used to using small talk to break the ice, try not to skip this. If it really makes you uncomfortable and you feel like you’re wasting your time, be brief. It may be worth taking the time for a friendly chat so that people like you and your upcoming conversations can flow smoothly.
In a situation where your vision and someone else’s is different, try not to get excited or offend anyone. Imagine what it is like to be in their place and choose arguments to support your opinion that can be related to the people with whom you disagree.
Another thing to keep in mind is that sometimes people just need to let go of their emotions, even if it means looking weak when complaining and feeling sorry for themselves. Instead of criticizing them for doing this, try to show support and help them recover after they have been through a difficult time.
They will appreciate that you have supported them. So in a situation where you could have alienated someone, you made a friend.
Have you ever been in similar situations? How did you handle them? What else intimidates you about others?
