Six Keys to Getting Someone to Open Up to You

Be yourself

Authenticity calls for authenticity. Therefore, you must be authentic if you want someone to open up. Just be yourself. This is because it’ll make it easier for the other person to be authentic with you and want to show themselves as they are and express how they feel.

This takes time, dedication, and perseverance. Besides, some people find it harder to open up to others. Thus, it’s best to project who you are so others will want to mirror you.

Active listening is key for getting someone to open up to you

This kind of listening has received multiple definitions. The researchers Hernandez and Lesmes (2018) define it as a “form of communication that conveys clear ideas without interrupting the receiver” in a study published in the journal Convictions. You actively listen to someone by paying attention to them and asking anything you need to understand them better.

In a way, this can help those who are listening to you to open up. In this regard, José Andrés Murillo, author of the book Confianza Lúcida (In English: Lucid Trust) (2012) says that listening to others fosters the trust they have in you. Moreover, the greater the trust, the more likely they’ll be to express what they really feel.

Keep judgments to yourself

The chances of that person opening up to you drastically go down when you judge them (especially if they sense it). Why? Precisely because no one likes to be judged. It’s like when you consult a psychologist. The goal is to open up to them and tell them what they need to know so that they can help you.

What happens if you feel judged by this professional? It’ll probably cost you twice as much to open up to them the next time. Thus, another key to getting someone to open up to you is to keep your judgments to yourself.

Getting someone to open up to you requires empathy

Empathy is a quality, an ability that allows you to put yourself in another person’s shoes. It also allows you to feel what they feel (or at least understand it better). It’s a value that facilitates social communication and, above all, the fact that someone shows themselves as they are to you.

Listening and treating others with empathy will help them feel freer to express themselves. This is because they feel understood and supported. Thus, listen to people from the bottom of your heart and put yourself in their shoes if you want them to open up.

Find a topic you have in common

Another key to getting someone to open up is to find a topic to talk about. How so? Well, find something that interests them, or one that’s easy for them to talk about. Always avoid sensitive or painful topics at the beginning (especially if you don’t know the person well).

You can get to know a person through an initial conversation. This takes time, as with everything else. The best way to cultivate the trust that others can place in you is to dedicate time to that person. In this regard, start talking about topics that are more accessible or easier for them.

Take the initiative

This can be particularly useful when a person is having a hard time opening up or expressing themselves. It’s a good way to break the ice and direct the interaction. There are people who need this initiative to open up emotionally.

In this regard, it may be good for you to start the conversation or contact and, once established, be the one to propose topics, ask questions, etc. Never in an invasive or intimidating way. Instead, do so tactfully and gradually.

A useful exercise for getting someone to open up to you

This isn’t easy so you must always act with respect and empathy by putting yourself in their shoes. The importance of not judging others is one of the points mentioned above. This is because doing so can be a huge deterrent for the person who’s trying to open up to you.

People who feel at ease will open up to others and share, communicate, and express themselves. Thus, do you really want someone to open up? You don’t know how to start? Do this little exercise and ask yourself how you’d feel more comfortable expressing your feelings. In what kind of conversation and environment? With what kind of people? What would you expect from the other person?