We are drawn to certain qualities in other people, and while we must always be careful about viewing a human being in a reductionistic manner, such as by calculating worth on the basis of characteristics, we should also consider the reality that some personal attributes hold greater value in the big picture and the long run. This is as true in personal relationships as in professional ones.

The significance of personal qualities in interpersonal relationships has been the subject of extensive research. By and large, we tend to be drawn toward people who are funny, smart, confident, or physically attractive. Arguably, these represent the four most common types of social magnetism.

While these attributes are universally valued to some extent, the degree of importance attached to each quality varies across cultures (Smith & Jones, 2023). That said, and especially in the Western world, we like people who make us laugh and who don't take themselves too seriously. We admire people who are knowledgeable and articulate. Confidence can be quite attractive, as it suggests someone is comfortable in their own skin and has a strong sense of self-worth. And for better or worse, we are often drawn to people whom we find visually........

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