You often think about why your favorite colleagues and managers stand out so much in your mind, right? Why they are so wonderful and what makes them super cool? The reason is that they get things done perfectly without any hurdle and enjoy the work. Did you ever notice the people you encountered in the office also want to be a little bit more like them? And you end up wondering how and why? You don’t need to be extraordinary to adopt certain skills to communicate, to be a supportive person and a cooperative member of a team. You only need to be concise so that the task can be easy when you have some quality skills.
Okay, interpersonal skills, here we go. Particularly, these skills are what you really need to know about, because by adopting certain skills you can be exceptional among other people regardless of your position at the workplace or anywhere else in the world. Interpersonal skills not only change your career dramatically but also level up your business and help in your personal life. But if you lack these skills then trust me, you are losing the game. Fortunately, interpersonal skills can be improved with your learning techniques, communication skills, knowledge and practice.
But Wait, What Exactly Are Interpersonal Skills?
You most likely heard of interpersonal skills, but you are somewhat unsure about it, right? Well then, simplify the term: “Interpersonal” stands for all that jazz involving collaborations and interactions with people. However, if we see the interpersonal skill through the business point of view then these skills are involved in all those behaviors that make you different from the others in a positive way. In short, these skills (empathy, communication, and more) allow you to work smoothly with others, whether it’s your clients, boss, coworkers, friends, family or anyone else you come into contact with.
“Fundamentally, interpersonal skills are what we would call a ‘social skill set’ that allows you to have…meaningful relationships,” says Barbara Wright.
Communication Skills
No doubt that communication is one of the most underrated and powerful skills around. Did you ever take a moment to think about some miscommunication, small conflicts, and quarrels you’ve had recently at work, outside in the town, or at home? Probably many of them happened due to poor communication skills, or some other interface snag.
Certainly, effective communication is very crucial and helpful because it is basically an ability to get your point across efficiently and clearly when interacting with colleagues.
Moreover, within this, you need to be able to pass your thoughts and explain them effectively while using nonverbal indications for certain situations and suitable body language. Besides, proficiency in written communication is also important including, writing succinctly and precisely in email and elsewhere and often responding to the messages of colleagues and others with appropriate information in a well-timed manner.
Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
The true keystone of your personality is your interpersonal skills including emotional intelligence, handle the situation smoothly, your ability to understand, and express your own sentiments along your capability to empathize with people.
“Observe your own level of emotion, anxiety, and vulnerability and become comfortable with it,” Wright says.
Take a breath and try to connect with people as much as you can. Communication or friendship is based on vulnerability. Interacting with a level of vulnerability is a known way of establishing closer and stronger bonds. Emotional intelligence is vital to check out our vulnerability and potential to work with it by finding the vulnerability in other people with kind-heartedness and empathy.
Always put yourself in the other’s shoes while interacting. Try to copy or use their nonverbal cues and words to find out the reasons – how they are feeling right now and try to access the situation why they are feeling that way. When you deal the people from their perspectives than it’s become easier for you to take a crucial step and find out the solution by treating them empathically and politely.
Additional Interpersonal Skills
Emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication are the most crucial building blocks of interpersonal skills, but they don’t act alone. There are other important skills you need to know as well, to be a perfectionist in every field of life. Such as Teamwork, Conflict Resolution, Curiosity, Dependability, Flexibility, Negotiation, Persuasion, Leadership, Listening, Conflict Management, Motivation, Patience, Positivity, Self-Awareness, Sympathy, Tact, and Trust.
Why Are Interpersonal Skills So Important for Your Career?
You can progress well if you are skilled in your interpersonal skills because it will impact the way you career headway. However, having strong interpersonal skills can make things easier, like your team will function better together and accomplish more and more. When you rack up accomplishments, you are likely to be recommended and promoted for top-notch opportunities. Apparently, if you are having certain skills, people want to work with you and telling others that they like your potential and working style which will take you to skylines.
“Why do we like some people and not others? It’s all about how they interact with us,” says Tchiki Davis, founder of the Berkeley Well-Being Institute. “When someone has interpersonal skills, we can’t help but like them and want to work with them.”
How Do You Demonstrate Your Interpersonal Skills in the Job Search?
In order to make your job search smoother and more successful, you can use your interpersonal skills. Here’s how:
- Use Your Professional Network/links
- Highlight Interpersonal Skills in Your Cover Letter Resume and
- Take Your Interpersonal Skills to Your Interview
