Mental Health

5 Important People Skills and What They Look Like

By Dynne C. | Update Date: May 31, 2024 01:34 AM EDT

When building a relationship or even just interacting with someone, having the right people skills could make a difference.

Important People Skills

Communicating well with others is often a key part of many relationships, jobs, or daily interactions. People skills, sometimes called interpersonal skills, are crucial traits that can be developed or strengthened to improve personal relationships and performance at work.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence involves managing one's own emotions as well as those of others. It is beneficial in regulating emotions at work, and fostering self-awareness, empathy, and social skills. Emotional intelligence appears as carefully thinking through situations before reacting, avoiding judgment, and problem-solving in a way that benefits everyone involved.

Communication

Effective communication encompasses various written and verbal efforts, requiring clarity and efficiency. Good communication leads to smoother interactions and better results. In practice, it looks like listening and engaging with others, asking questions to gather more information, and being concise rather than over-explaining.

Flexibility

Flexibility is vital when working with others, as plans and projects can change. It helps keep things on track and running smoothly. Flexibility includes approaching situations and tasks with an open mind, remaining calm when changes occur, and developing contingency plans to facilitate easier adjustments.

Respectfulness

Respect in the workplace leads to stronger and more positive relationships. This includes respecting colleagues, managers, and external vendors. Respectfulness involves actively listening to others, valuing their perspectives, and responding to communications promptly. It also means saying "thank you" and apologizing when necessary.

Patience

Patience helps in managing stress and contributing smoothly to team efforts. Cultivating patience involves recognizing the causes of impatience and taking steps to improve time management and organization. Demonstrating patience means noticing triggers of impatience, letting go of uncontrollable factors, and prioritizing tasks to manage deadlines effectively.

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