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Imagine that you’re preparing for a romantic date. You feel your heart beating like a drummer. Your mind races with what you should or shouldn’t wear, say, and avoid. It’s similar to preparing for a work interview, with more nervousness and less resume talk. Read more now on Power of Leverage.

Let’s first talk about an age-old issue: How do people meet? Tinder and Bumble may be popular dating apps, but don’t neglect real-life meetings. Yes, these encounters still occur! Imagine coffee shops (if there are still any), bookstores (if they exist), or at your friend’s BBQ. Sometimes serendipity will play Cupid more effectively than any algorithm.

After you have someone in your sights, it’s time to talk about the first impressions. This old saying is true: “You’ll never have a second chance at a first-impression.” Dress up but make sure you are comfortable. No one likes seeing someone tugging their collar all night. Be confident, but avoid arrogance. Between charming and irritating, there’s a fine-line.

So, you and your partner are sitting opposite each other (or anywhere else) at dinner. What happens next? The conversation can seem like a minefield, if not prepared. Try to keep it light and engaging at first. “What’s your favorite book recently?” The question “What’s your plan for the next five years?” is much more effective than asking, “So tell me what you have planned.” Save the heavy things for later dates.

Ever heard of active hearing? In dating situations, it’s a goldmine. Nod occasionally, keep your eye contact (but avoid staring at them in a way that makes you seem like you’re hypnotizing them) and respond thoughtfully. They love to talk about themselves. Don’t turn into their therapist.

Humor is an important tool in the dating arsenal. The best way to start a conversation is with laughter. Tell funny stories or silly tales from your past, such as the time you wore mismatched shoes and didn’t realise until lunch.

You’re on a date and it seems to be going well. What do you look for to know if they really like you? Look out for subtle signs like leaning closer to you as they talk, mirroring their movements or laughing when your jokes are made (even if it’s a bad one). You should probably cut your losses if the person is constantly on their phone and looking around.

Although rejection can be painful, it is inevitable. Take it in stride; everyone is different. Remember the “Friends'” scene where Ross made his pro/con list of Rachel? Don’t do it! Move on gracefully, and continue fishing in the fish-filled sea.

When things progress beyond initial dates into something more serious–communication becomes crucially important. If you want to get a job, you should be open and honest. But don’t sound like you’re going through a check list. Openly express your emotions, but listen carefully when the other person shares theirs.

The tricky part is navigating disagreements. While no one wants conflict, avoiding it entirely isn’t good either. You should address issues calmly rather than letting them fester for years under many layers of layers, until they explode in a dramatic way over something trivial such as who left dirty dishes outside last night.

Last but not least, this might seem cliched. But be yourself during this journey. Because pretending to be something else only leads you down paths that lead to unnecessary complications and problems later when true colors will inevitably show.

The art of dating isn’t rocket science, but it can seem that way at times. It’s really about connecting authentically to another human in the midst of life’s uncertainties & quirks.