email
print
Social skills
From CopperWiki
Social skills include both verbal and nonverbal forms of communication and are often the way others determine our status, consider us as potential friends or mates, and consider us for employment or promotions in the workplace. Our social skills are judged by what we say, when we say it, and how we say it.
Interpret situations correctly and behaving accordingly also fall in the realm of social skill.
Contents |
[edit] Why should I be aware of this?
In today's world, social skills are as essential as hard skills and business etiquette. Though everyone is not endowed with good social skills, it can be developed with a little practice and they will go a long way in boosting our career and social lives.
We are born with some skills. Others we develop depending on the circumstances and opportunities that life presents us with. Most people have trouble with social skills, usually due to various reasons such as depression, rejection, anxiety, aggression, loneliness, etc. If certain skills are too complicated for us to develop on our own, they can be learnt through training programs.
[edit] All about social skills
Proper and well-cultivated social skills is not only essential for a fulfilling personal life, it is a fundamental part of any professional development.
Whether you are around the dinner table with a group of friends or the boardroom table with fellow executives, good social skills set you apart. On the other hand, poor social skills can strangle the development of your career and personal life.
[edit] Building confidence
Confidence is the key to developing good social skills. Although there isn't a shortcut to acquiring confidence, certain specific areas can be worked on to improve it, especially in the areas of speaking, dressing and carrying oneself. There are several courses available that address many of these concerns from public speaking and presenting skills to assertiveness and improving self-image. Volunteering for tasks that take you into new areas and where you will meet new people will also build confidence.
[edit] Relationship building
Even though it may look superficial, the ability to network at events and talk to anyone about anything is a valuable skill in its own right. The ability to initiate a conversation means you are more likely come into contact with people who may well turn out to be invaluable contacts. Some of us find small talk difficult but once we are able to overcome this obstacle we can find the going smooth.
[edit] Tact, empathy and reassurance
Tact, empathy and reassurance are vital components of relationship building. Individuals who are emotionally intelligent tend to excel in these areas. Strong social skills include (among others):
- active listening
- knowing how to greet others
- conversing and making small talk
- building a friendly rapport
- complimenting others
- offering praise and encouragement
- showing support and understanding
- acknowledging others
[edit] What can I do?
- The best way to improve social skill is to practice. Practice will help you being more comfortable in a variety of social situations, and once comfortable, you’ll be able to behave naturally in different situations.
- Just be yourself and feel perfectly at ease with who you are and what you bring to a conversation.
- Once comfortable, your ego dissolves and you don’t think at all about yourself, how you look, how you sound, etc. Your concentration will be on the topics you’re discussing and on the people you are addressing.
- Think about the social situations in which you do feel perfectly comfortable, such as talking with long-term friends or family members. Try to bring that level of comfort to every other social situation.
[edit] Unlearn
Verbosity isn't a social skill and can damage one's social popularity. Over-talkative individuals may be seen as self-centered and rude as most of their monologue is about themselves, their opinions, their activities, etc and rude as they monopolize the conversation without letting others contribute or participate.
