Interpersonal skills, also known as people skills, are the qualities and behaviours one exhibits while interacting with people. They can be defined as character traits, personal attributes, and other non-technical abilities that help you work and communicate with other people.
It is one of the most sought after soft skills. Interpersonal skills is one of the top criteria based on which companies hire their employees. A person with good interpersonal skills can communicate effectively and collaborate with a range of people, which will help them become successful.
Types of Interpersonal Skills:
The following are some of the essential interpersonal skills:
Communication: Communication is one of the most important interpersonal skills. Communication skills involves verbal, non verbal, and written. Regardless of the field of work, the ability to express your thoughts clearly and effectively with others verbally and in writing is crucial.
Active Listening: Listening goes hand in hand with good communication skills. Active listening involves paying close attention to what the other person is saying and taking the time to absorb and reflect on what they say. It helps you truly understand what someone is trying to convey. Listening demands the ability to decode and interpret verbal messages and nonverbal cues, like the tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language.
Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand what another person is experiencing and is an essential part of being a good manager, employee, or colleague. This skill can help one get along with their colleagues and form meaningful relationships at the workplace.
Emotional Intelligence: People who have high emotional intelligence are good at identifying and meeting the needs of others while taking responsibility for their own needs and feelings.
Teamwork: Teamwork is essential in almost every industry, and companies expect employees to be team players. Regardless of the role, it is necessary to collaborate and work together towards a common goal.
Conflict Management: Conflict management or conflict resolution skills is needed to mediate and resolve workplace conflicts effectively. Poor communication and lack of interpersonal skills can easily cause simple disagreements to flare up for the worse, affecting the work environment. Having good conflict management skills can help keep the morale high and diffuse conflicts.
Negotiation: Negotiation is a necessary skill for many positions. Depending on the specific job, it might involve creating formal agreements (or contracts) between clients or helping colleagues solve a problem and determine a solution. To be a good negotiator, you must be able to listen to others, use creative problem solving, and arrive at an outcome that satisfies everyone.
Positive Attitude: A positive attitude can take you a long way. A positive attitude plays a vital role in maintaining a good work environment to work. Being positive during difficult situations will make tasks easier, encourage others and boost morale.
Ways to Improve Interpersonal Skills:
Cultivate a positive outlook.
Control your emotions.
Practice active listening.
Be assertive.
Practice empathy.
Maintain good relationships.
Master good communication skills
Attend classes or workshops
In today’s world, technical skills alone won’t guarantee one a job. Strong interpersonal skills help you stand out from the crowd. They complement your technical abilities, enhance performance, boost social interactions, and give you an edge over your competition. Employers look for candidates with good interpersonal skills, as they can be effective communicators, great leaders, good team players and efficient managers.
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