The Six Social Skills You Need to Acquire to Succeed

Published by Espresso-Jobs, March 9th, 2017

Now, more than ever before, career advancement depends not only on years of experience and acquired knowledge, but also on social skills and emotional intelligence... Do you have what it takes?

All recruiters will tell you the same thing. The ability to deal with your emotions and cope with those of others is a skill that is increasingly sought-after and valued in the workplace. The most socially adept people are also those who are most influential and successful within companies.

The workplace, with its focus on performance and competition, requires not only know-how but also a flawless ability to conduct oneself appropriately. You must be able to navigate the complexity of human relationships assertively, but with tact. Do you find this difficult? Don’t worry. Anyone can acquire and perfect the art of social interaction. Here we present six advantageous social skills, inspired by an article published on references.lesoir.be, that will be of benefit to you.

Develop good listening skills

This social skill is undoubtedly one of the most crucial. Give others enough time to express themselves; do not interrupt them before they have finished their thought. This is a clear and fundamental principle: if you expect others to listen to you and consider your viewpoint, you must also hear them out.

This skill consists of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.

Empathy is undoubtedly one of the keys to successful social interaction. Have you had to pick up the slack for one of your colleagues because he or she has been late three days in a row? Avoid jumping to conclusions; put yourself in your colleague’s place and try to understand the problem.

Pay attention to others

Build reciprocal relationships based on openness by expressing a sincere interest in others. Take an interest in their activities; finding out what they like will enable you to have enriching conversations and personalize your relationship with them.

Exercise patience

Take a deep breath to calm yourself when everyone around you is showing their irritation; it will score points with your boss, who will notice and appreciate your conduct. Patience is a key component of leadership.

Learn the art of communication

Communication is at the heart of interpersonal relationships; it is also essential for fostering goodwill. Knowing how to clearly communicate your ideas and expectations gives you credibility with both bosses and colleagues. Knowing how to encourage the exchange of ideas enables you to exert influence within a group.

Learn how to trust

To advance your career, you must be able to show confidence in others by delegating responsibility and letting go from time to time. You cannot control everything all by yourself. Don't ever forget that work is a team effort.