How To Stop Feeling Intimidated By People: 12 Tips That Actually Work

Do these things and you won’t feel intimidated by others.

Collage of two men with contrasting expressions on a beige and yellow background. The man on the left bites his nails in fear, while the man on the right screams, with red lines radiating from his head. The background has yellow rays emanating from a central point.

Do you often feel intimidated by other people? Good news: you don’t have to be! Here are 12 ways to shift your mindset and your behavior so you don’t feel intimidated by anybody, ever again.

1. Remember that all humans are created equal.

Three people are seated at a conference table in a modern office with large windows overlooking a cityscape. They are engaged in a professional discussion. The two women and one man are dressed in business attire. Water glasses and documents are on the table.

The people you encounter as you go through life are all sacks of fluid and guts, with varying levels of mobility, intelligence, and physical attractiveness. If you can remind yourself that everyone you meet is essentially a temporarily mobile bag of bones and organs, you’ll never be intimidated by anyone, ever again.

2. Be assertive without resorting to rudeness.

Two women, both with long dark hair, sit at an outdoor café. They are facing each other and smiling. Both are wearing light-colored tops and sunglasses on their heads. A partially filled glass with a red drink is on the table in front of them.

People like to bully those whom they consider vulnerable, so become invulnerable. You can counteract their attempts to be intimidating by remaining calm and composed, holding firm eye contact, and standing your ground. Behave like an immovable mountain and they’ll soon realize that they have no effect on you whatsoever.

3. Don’t put anyone on a pedestal.

A young woman with long black hair and a white sweater is writing in a notebook at a table with an open book and coffee cup in front of her. In the background, two people are sitting and working at the same table, with a potted plant and large window visible.

When you feel intimidated by someone, is it because you admire them a bit too much and have established impossible standards for them in your mind? It’s great to appreciate someone for their achievements, or aspire to follow their example, but don’t elevate any human being to “hero” status in your eyes.

4. Let go of any inferiority complex you may have developed.

Three people in a modern café. A woman with blonde hair stands behind and gestures towards a person in a gray blazer and glasses who looks startled. Another woman in a dark outfit is walking away in the foreground, slightly blurred. Hanging lights and wooden decor are visible.

You may have gotten used to having a critical inner monologue that tells you repeatedly that you aren’t good enough, smart enough, attractive enough, and so on. Forget that. You are enough, exactly as you are, as a unique expression of the universe in human form.

5. Lose your fear of embarrassment or rejection.

A woman wearing a straw hat and denim jacket sits at a table in a cafe, smiling and waving at two women in the foreground. The two women, one with dark hair and the other with dyed hair, are seated at another table, waving back. Green plants adorn the background.

Do you feel intimidated by people because you’re worried that you’ll feel embarrassed or humiliated if they don’t show sufficient interest in you? Try to let go of that. Instead, cultivate non-attachment to any particular outcome. That way, whatever unfolds will be a surprise, rather than a potential disappointment due to your expectations.

6. Be as strong and capable as possible.

Two men in suits stand on a path lined with trees, engaged in an animated conversation. One man gestures with his hand, raising his index finger, while the other has his hand in his pocket and appears to be listening intently. They are surrounded by greenery.

Some people try to intimidate others by throwing their weight around and implying that they could cause physical harm if they wanted to. If you’re physically strong and have a competent level of self-defense training, you’ll know that you can hold your own, and won’t be intimidated as a result.

7. See every person as a potential friend or mentor, not competition.

Two business professionals walking and talking. A woman with glasses carries a coffee cup and a notebook, while a man with glasses dressed in a suit holds a smartphone. They are walking through a modern hallway with red beams and glass walls.

If you’ve reached a particular level of physical fitness or education, and you meet someone who’s attained a higher level than you have, don’t feel like you’re somehow “lesser” than them. Instead, let their achievements inspire you, and be open to their advice and guidance for your own self-improvement.

8. Seek common ground when interacting with others.

No matter who you’re talking to, you will have some type of common ground. Ask and listen more than you speak, and when they bring up a topic that you’re familiar with (or that you enjoy as well), chat about it as though you’re catching up with an old friend.

9. Cultivate confidence in your own interests and abilities.

Two men, dressed in vintage athletic attire, stand on a clay tennis court shaking hands and laughing. One wears a black and white jacket, the other in a red jacket. Both hold wooden tennis rackets. The background features a chair umpire stand and greenery.

Whatever it is that you’re passionate about, immerse yourself in that subject so you’re as confident as possible. This way, you’ll be able to hold your own in conversations instead of feeling inferior. Additionally, if you’re still in the learning process, own that status with pride! You’re learning something new, and that’s admirable.

10. Maintain a great sense of humor.

Two women are sitting at a wooden table in a bright café. One woman with short, dark hair wearing a striped shirt smiles at the camera, while the other woman with curly hair in a red dress smiles brightly in the background. There are coffee cups and plates on the table.

This doesn’t mean that you should crack jokes at every opportunity, but don’t take any situation too seriously. If you slip up somehow, learn to laugh at yourself instead of feeling mortified. Smile readily, learn to find humor in uncomfortable or awkward circumstances, and don’t get unnecessarily offended on others’ behalf.

11. Conduct yourself with grace and dignity.

Maintain excellent posture, move fluidly and gracefully, and refrain from crass or vulgar behavior. If you don’t act like a clown, you won’t feel intimidated by those who carry themselves in a more elegant manner. Behave like a king or queen and you’ll be treated as such.

12. Be as flawless with personal hygiene and etiquette as possible.

An office scene with three people socializing. A woman in a white blouse and black pants holds a coffee cup, smiling as she sits on a desk. Two men, also in business attire, stand nearby chatting. One holds a coffee cup, and the other holds a donut. A plant is on the desk.

Extend that royal dignity to your self-care and dining behavior as well. Be thorough about cleanliness, and if your dining etiquette falls short of the mark, improve your abilities with various table implements. You won’t feel intimidated about sharing meals with others if you know exactly how to behave at the table.