Interpersonal Skills to Help You at Work

People use interpersonal skills when interacting with others in a social setting. They include verbal and non-verbal skills. These are essential for career or personal success. Examples of interpersonal skills include open body language, empathy, and active listening.

Interpersonal Skills to Help You at Work

No matter the job, interpersonal skills are integral to success. These skills help us effectively communicate with co-workers, resolve conflicts, and build professional networks.?

Below, we discuss interpersonal skills and highlight which are most necessary in the workplace. We also provide tips on how to level up these skills.

What Are Interpersonal Skills?

Interpersonal skill is any trait we use to interact with others. These skills can be verbal or non-verbal, and involve communication, problem-solving, and relationship management.?

Some examples of interpersonal skills include:

• Active listening?
• Verbal and nonverbal communication?
• Conflict resolution?
• Public speaking?

Interpersonal skills are essential both personally and professionally. Well-developed interpersonal skills help you communicate effectively, build strong relationships, and resolve conflicts.?

These skills are important in the workplace. Strong interpersonal skills lead to solid relationships with co-workers, making the workplace more enjoyable. They also aid in career advancement, as networking is essential to landing jobs and promotions.

Broadus Palmer , founder of Level Up in Tech, emphasizes just how valuable interpersonal skills can be on the career front. “Communication, adaptability, and willingness to learn!” he says . “All of these things may sound small. However, these are the non-technical skills that can help you land your next … role!”

Types of Interpersonal Skills Employers Value

Interpersonal skills are vital to the smooth operation of an organization, though there are specific interpersonal skills that businesses value most.?

Communication

The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most important interpersonal skills. This includes both verbal and written communication. The ability to express thoughts and concepts clearly and listen attentively goes far in the workplace.

Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. In the workplace, empathy helps build and maintain solid relationships with co-workers. It is also a useful tool to help resolve conflicts.

Conflict Management

Conflict management involves resolving disagreements between two or more people. Active listening, compromise, and mediation are essential to managing conflicts effectively. These skills are particularly important in the workplace because they help navigate disputes without damaging relationships.

Leadership

Leadership is the ability to motivate and guide others. Leaders inspire their teams to achieve common goals. In the workplace, leadership skills help develop a strong team and achieve collective success.?

Listening

Listening is a key interpersonal skill. It involves paying attention to others, understanding their needs, and responding appropriately. Good listening skills can help you build strong relationships, become a more effective leader, and more easily resolve conflict.

Negotiation

Negotiation is the process of reaching an agreement between two or more people. It involves communication, compromise, and problem-solving. Negotiation skills are valuable in the workplace because they help reach mutually beneficial agreements.

Teamwork

Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common goal. It involves communication, collaboration, and compromise. Teamwork is a vital skill for both leaders and team members.

Positive Attitude

A positive attitude is another invaluable interpersonal skill. Being optimistic, helpful, and supportive helps build strong relationships, overcome challenges, and be successful in the workplace.

Showcasing Your Skills

The best way to showcase your skills is to call on examples from past experiences. If you have ever resolved a conflict at work or helped a team succeed, mention it on your resume or during an interview.

Other ways to showcase interpersonal skills include taking on leadership roles in your current job or volunteering for projects that require teamwork. These experiences help improve interpersonal skills and offer the chance to build strong bonds with co-workers.

Interpersonal skills are essential in both your personal and professional life. If you want to improve relationships, focus on developing the skills above.?

“Hard skills win the job, soft skills win the people,” Sho Dewan , career coach, says . “Both are necessary but for the long game, it’s always best to invest in your relationships. That will be key to get promoted and advance in your career.”

With time and practice, you can master these interpersonal skills and create lasting personal and professional relationships.?

Key Takeaways:

• Interpersonal skills help people associate and interact with one another at work.?
• Interpersonal skills include active listening, conflict resolution, and public speaking.
• Anyone can further develop interpersonal skills by doing things such as volunteering on projects that require teamwork.

(Reporting by NPD)