HOW TO DEVELOP INTERPERSONAL SKILLS?

 

HOW TO DEVELOP INTERPERSONAL SKILLS?

Interpersonal skills are essential for building strong relationships and succeeding in various aspects of life, from your career to your social life. Continuous pursuit of self-improvement and confidence can benefit your personal and professional relationships.

Developing good interpersonal skills might even help to support your career satisfaction.

Here's a breakdown of how you can develop them. These are some of the most common interpersonal skills. Strong interpersonal skills may be a part of your personality, and they can also be learned through mindful attention and practice.

Value other people's expertise

Acknowledge and appreciate the skills and experience your colleagues have. This can be as simple as thanking a co-worker for their input in a meeting or asking for their advice on a project.

 Try to maintain a positive outlook

Start by focusing on the good in situations and people. This approach promotes a positive work environment and encourages others. For example, when faced with a challenge, try to view it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Coaching skills

Coaching skills are about helping others to grow and succeed. It involves offering guidance, sharing knowledge, and providing constructive feedback. When you coach a colleague, you're not telling them what to do, you're helping them discover their strengths and how to use them effectively.

 Communication skills

These skills are the lifeblood of a healthy workplace. Effective communication is about conveying your ideas clearly, listening to others, and ensuring that everyone’s goals are aligned. It's also about being able to read non-verbal cues and understanding the best ways to communicate with different individuals.

 Emotional intelligence

Being aware of your own emotions and those of your colleagues can allow you to navigate workplace dynamics sensitively and professionally. High emotional intelligence can help you manage stress, address conflicts calmly, and create a positive work environment.

Effective Communication

Good communication is a key component of strong interpersonal skills. It means you can express your thoughts and ideas clearly and understand what others are saying. Communication can involve your tone of voice, body language, and even the way you write an email. Express yourself clearly and concisely, tailoring your communication style to the situation.

Empathy

Empathy means understanding someone else’s feelings and perspectives. This skill is crucial in building trust and strong relationships.

Negotiations and conflict resolution

When disagreements happen, conflict resolution helps find a peaceful solution where everyone can agree. It can involve understanding different viewpoints, negotiation, and compromise to reach an agreement where everyone feels heard and respected.

Positive attitude

A positive attitude means facing challenges with optimism and encouraging others to do the same.

Team-oriented vision

Understanding, valuing, and supporting each team member's contribution to the organization is vital for success.

Collaborative attitude

Working together to achieve a common goal involves sharing ideas, being open to others' suggestions, and working together.

Motivation

Motivation is the drive that keeps you going. It can also inspire others to achieve their best.

Persuasion

Persuasion is the act of convincing others about an idea or plan in a way that’s respectful and considerate of others' opinions.

Learn to listen

Listening to your friends and loved ones aids communication and collaboration, whether they have a big idea or want to vent about a problem.

Establish your goals

Setting meaningful goals is an important first step for improving your interpersonal skills. Consider your strengths and specifically what elements of your interactions you'd like to develop.

Keep interactions focused

Try to keep your interactions with others as focused as possible in the workplace, whether you are communicating with a colleague, a supervisor or customers and clients.

Stay positive

A positive outlook can help boost your interpersonal skills by setting a pleasant tone for your interactions. Staying positive can also be a good way to support a growth mindset when you are working on improving your interpersonal skills.

Practice active listening

Being mindful and in charge of your own emotions can be a powerful interpersonal skill in the workplace. Try exploring mindfulness strategies to become more aware of your own thoughts and feelings, if that strategy appeals to you.

Pay close attention to what the other person is saying, both verbally and nonverbally. Avoid interrupting and ask clarifying questions to show you're engaged.

Listen to understand, not just to reply. This means focusing entirely on the speaker to acknowledge their words and respond thoughtfully. During conversations, try to summarize what the other person said to ensure you understand their point of view.

Self-Assessment

Identify your strengths and weaknesses: Reflect on past interactions and areas for improvement. Are you a good listener? Do you struggle with public speaking? Being aware of your strengths is important too!

Body language

Maintain eye contact, use open gestures, and project confidence through your posture. It shows you're interested and approachable.

Seek opportunities to interact 

Join clubs, volunteer, or participate in social activities.

Observe and learn

Pay attention to how people with strong interpersonal skills interact and try to emulate their techniques.

Invest time in getting to know your colleagues

This can be achieved through regular, casual conversations or through team-building activities.

Practice, practice, practice

The more you interact with others, the more comfortable and confident you'll become. Build and nurture interpersonal relationships.

Additional Resources

There are many resources available to help you develop your interpersonal skills, including workshops, online courses, and even books on the topic.