What are Interpersonal Skills?
Interpersonal skills, also known as people skills, soft skills, emotional intelligence, or life skills, are the behaviors a person uses to effectively interact with others. It is a social intelligence, and everyone has their own way of using this skill. However, not everyone utilizes this skill efficiently.
In the business world, employees with strong interpersonal skills are valued. Organizations see employees with interpersonal skills as strong team players who work well with others.
Although interpersonal skills are an innate part of a person and come naturally, these can also be developed. You can cultivate this skill through continuous interactions with individuals and taking lessons, such as interpersonal skills online courses like the Basic To Advanced Interpersonal Skills.
Why are Interpersonal Skills Important?
You need interpersonal skills to communicate and interact with people. The more personable you are, the more you get along with others, and the better you’re able to contribute as a cohesive member of a team. Having interpersonal skills allows you to communicate and relate to others.
It is critical that you are good with people because most of what we do in life, whether personally or professionally requires interaction with others. Therefore, if you want to be successful in your career and create a meaningful friendship, you must develop your interpersonal skills.
Interpersonal skills are one of the top criteria employers look for in a candidate regardless of the position and job they are applying for. Even during the interview, recruiters are already assessing the applicant’s interpersonal skills if they fit in the required work environment. It is important that you get along well with your colleagues, vendors, and clients.
What are the Top Interpersonal Skills?
There are several types of interpersonal skills. Here are the most important interpersonal skills and how they can help you increase your employability and success in your career.
Communication
Almost every aspect of work involves communication. Without (interpersonal) communication skills, everyday business would be very difficult. This is because you need communication skills to collaborate and interact with different types of personalities.
Communication skills can be broken down into three categories:
Verbal communication
Verbal communication is the use of spoken language or words to transmit a message from the sender to the receiver.
Non-verbal communication
Non-verbal communication is the transmission of a message that does not involve words. This type of communication uses body language, gestures, facial expressions, posture, eye contact, and tone of voice.
Written communication
Written communication is the sending of a message through written words. It could be handwritten or typed text.
Highlighting communication skills on a resume demonstrate that you are a top candidate.
Leadership
Leadership skill is an important interpersonal skill because it helps you communicate effectively. This skill allows you to verbalize, persuade, motivate, and encourage others and help your team achieve success. Leadership skills are highly sought after by employers.
A person who has leadership skills knows how to deal with people in such a way as to build respect. They inspire others to become committed and dedicated to accomplish a planned goal.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to put oneself in someone else’s shoes. By understanding someone else’s feelings from their point of view, you have the ability to communicate back to the other person better. It also enhances your communication skills because empathy allows you to sense what the other person wants you to know.
Developing empathy skills enhances interpersonal skills. You become more respected by others when you demonstrate empathy. Also, using this skill helps maintain strong client relationships that can cultivate strong relationships, loyalty and drive sales in a business.
Teamwork
Teamwork involves several other interpersonal skills. Some of these are communication, active listening, positive attitude, and conflict management. This skill helps you create an enjoyable work environment as you work well with your colleagues, clients, and other people in your industry. It can help you complete a task efficiently as you have the ability to work effectively in an organized group.
Active listening
Active listening involves actively listening with all senses. Instead of passively hearing or listening to someone’s message, you make a conscious effort to understand the complete message. For you to become an active listener, you must pay attention to the person speaking very carefully.
It is a fundamental interpersonal skill that helps a person become a better communicator and problem solver. Improving your active listening skill will help you succeed in your career. Below are just some of the benefits of active listening.
- Helps build connections.
- Establishes trust.
- Become a great problem-solver as you identify and solve problems quickly.
- Increases knowledge, retains information and helps you understand certain topics.
- Helps in resolving conflicts but also helps foster a culture of respect.
Problem-solving
Another key interpersonal skill that employers seek in their employees is problem-solving. This skill helps you solve issues effectively and efficiently. Highlighting this skill demonstrates that you use creativity, logic, and intelligence in coming up with a solution.
Solving problems is an essential part of every employee’s skill set because you can identify what you can change and improve in your organization. You can pinpoint the problems in your workplace and solve those in a timely manner. Organizations prefer an employee who can assess both kinds of situations and calmly identify solutions.
Positive attitude
Being optimistic or having a positive attitude helps you become happier at work and improve your overall effectiveness. A person with a positive attitude doesn’t look for excuses to not perform a task; instead, they find ways to accomplish it.
Exhibiting a positive attitude with your colleagues, clients, and vendors, is contagious and will have a ripple effect that positively influences anyone who will work with you. When stress levels build-up, your positive attitude will make things feel lighter and less stressful. This makes your team feel happier and improves their productivity.
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