Introduction
Interpersonal skills are a set of skills we use daily to interact and communicate with others. This set of skills helps us express ourselves, and our feelings and helps us build relationships with others. However, it’s important to use these skills in the right manner so that they aid us in building long-lasting relationships. If a person is low on some of these skills, there’s a possibility to improve and get better.
Types of Interpersonal skills:
Active listening
Empathy
Teamwork
Emotional Intelligence
Flexibility
Responsibility
Non-verbal communication
Respectability
Sensitivity
Why do these skills matter?
Let’s put it this way. Just like salt is important in cooking almost everything, interpersonal skills are important not only in the workplace but also in life. We realize the value and taste of salt only when there’s an absence of them in the dish. Similarly, we realize the importance of interpersonal skills when we see ourselves not connecting and communicating with people in the manner we should have. They frequently play a deciding role when an employer must select between two candidates who are similarly qualified. Those that are more endearing and have greater teamwork skills win out.
Interpersonal skills at the workplace
Interpersonal skills at the workplace hold great importance. As communication is expected to be formal, clear, and transparent it becomes critical to use the appropriate interpersonal skills. Every human yearns for a sense of unity and wants to be a part of the broader picture. For us, belonging to a well-absorbing organization or community feels crucial. We are content when our buddies are nearby. Every single one of us attempts to play a social role in society since life is a performance.
Simply to state, in order to be happy and content in both their personal and professional lives, everyone needs the support of other people. Employees must comprehend the value of communicating with peers and clients as a result. Consequently, a strong workplace culture is developed and relationships between employees improve.
Developing Interpersonal Skills
Now that we know the importance of interpersonal skills, it’s crucial to know how to develop these skills and put them into practice. Note: Executing what you learned is more important than learning the skills. You might learn the skills well and understand them but they’re of no use when you’re not able to put them to use.
Analyze where you need to improve:
Nobody’s perfect. It’s completely okay to be weak in some areas. You might be naturally strong in some aspects like communication, socializing and might be weak in areas like flexibility or teamwork. The first step to improvement starts when you identify which skills you need to work on. Figure out your strengths and weaknesses and then decide which one you want to start working on first.
Get creative in practicing: I bet nobody likes to practice it in a conventional way, right? It's time to get creative then! Instead of learning definitions of the skillsets, why don’t you actually go out there and put them to use? For example, if you lack good communication skills, start by making conversations with the people around you. If you’re comfortable talking to your family then try talking to people outside of your family. Make small talk with people at your college/office. A good way to start a conversation would be to greet the person with a smile, say Hi/Hello, or ask what they’re doing in the day. Avoid asking private questions to the other person as it might make them uncomfortable.
Focus on your strengths:
Improving weaknesses is one thing, but focusing and making use of our strengths is a smarter way of learning faster. If you’re good at taking up responsibilities, try doing that more often. Take up projects that interest you, let you be creative, and work on them diligently. Make sure you take complete accountability for the work you’re doing and own it. In this way, you’re not only improving your weaknesses but also showcasing your strengths in a positive manner. Be mindful of not over-showing or over-exaggerating your strengths. There’s a high chance of people perceiving you as a boastful personality.
Have a positive attitude:
If you want to accomplish anything in life, you need to have a positive outlook on things. Sometimes things might be easy and sometimes things might get hard. What you need to focus on is giving your best effort at all times. You might feel difficult in starting a conversation, but try to get out of your comfort zone. Slow progress is good progress. Believe in yourself that sooner or later you are going to achieve your goal. Also, having a positive attitude changes your mental-make up. You will start to feel more confident, motivated and energetic. Not to forget, having a positive attitude is another great interpersonal skill to have! Voila!
Avoid complaining:
Nobody likes to hear people whining or complaining about every little thing. Complaining about small things or things that are not necessary doesn’t form a good impression. It shows a ‘victim mindset’, i.e. a person who cribs about situations but doesn’t do anything about it. In fact, try to do the opposite. Start appreciating more. Be grateful for whatever you have and whatever situation you are in. Having this attitude shows that you’re an optimist who brings about the best in every situation or at least tries to make every situation better.
Hope you found this article helpful. If you or your organization is interested to learn more about such attributes and behavioral skills at the workplace, feel free to get in touch with us at RGB Training Services!