The truth of career life is where you work or what your job may be, your interpersonal skills will impact the way your career progresses. Why? If you have strong interpersonal skills, your team will function better together and you will all accomplish more.

 

When people work productively with you and they enjoy the process, I bet that they’re also more likely to be endorse you to be promoted and recommended for the opportunities.

 

Think about it this way: Wouldn’t you enthusiastically endorse those favourite colleagues of yours and talk them up if you had the chance? I’d bet that’s not only because they have the technical skills to do the job, but also because of their interpersonal skills.

 

Tchiki Davis, founder of the Berkeley Well-Being Institute ever said “Why do we like some people and not others? It’s all about how they interact with us,” and “When someone has interpersonal skills, we can’t help but like them and want to work with them.”

 

Obviously, people wanting to work with you and telling others they’d like working with you too will take you far in your career.

 

Here’s the 5 things to improve your Interpersonal Skills, you don't have to be an extrovert or a “people person” to have good interpersonal skills, which go way deeper than being charming at a networking event. You can develop these the same way you do any other skills, and you can start right away with these tips.

 

1. Look for Ways to Increase Your Confidence

Confidence is a powerful asset when it comes to interpersonal skills. A healthy balance between confidence and humility allows you to hold your head high, rather than approaching conversations looking shy and uneasy. If you’re uncomfortable, the person you’re speaking with will be uncomfortable too. On top of this, confidence makes it easier for you to express your ideas in any meeting or collaborative setting. Feeling confident even allows you to be more adept at other interpersonal skills like negotiation, conflict resolution, constructive criticism, and trust.

To further boost your confidence, you can also take time to jot down some of your strengths. Keep the list handy and look over it from time to time, especially before a big meeting, to remind yourself of all you have to offer.

 

2. It’s Always Good to Ask for Feedback

If you want to know how others feel when you interact with them, no one knows that better than the people you interact with.

Don't be afraid to ask for and receive feedback. “It's as simple as, ‘Hey, I'm really trying to improve on my interpersonal skills. How did you perceive me when we first met? How do you normally feel when we interact? Do you think I listen well? Is there anything I could do to improve?’"

Then, crucially, listen openly to that feedback and welcome it as a way for you to help yourself. Take in what they’re saying and use it to identify areas and plans for improvement.

 

3. Listen and Ask Thoughtful Questions

One of the most common mistakes with communication is spending too much time speaking and too little time listening. Learning to be more selfless in a conversation begins with truly and actively listening, asking questions, and listening some more.

It calls for focus and concentration. Listening is complex because you listen with your ears but you also listen with your eyes. You observe how info is given tone, comfort level, and delivery. It’s a multi sensorial experience.

It also means giving people your full attention when they’re talking to you, actively listening, and consciously asking thoughtful questions. You can even start small by asking people about their plans for the weekend. Listen and follow up next week about how that picnic or visit to see their family went. By listening intently and following up, you’ll signal that you’re engaged. Before long, this will all become a natural part of your communication.

 

4. Spend More Time Putting Yourself in Others’ Shoes

Seeing situations from another person’s perspective is at the core of emotional intelligence and interpersonal interactions. When you speak with others, don’t react too quickly. Instead, take a beat to imagine how things look to them.

Ask yourself why they might want to do things a certain way and what their underlying goals are. If something seems to be making them upset, try to understand why and what you could do to help. This simple step will help you empathize with people and have more productive conversations.

It's important to treat every conversation and person as a unique individual.

 

5. Take a Class

Just like with other skills, there are experts who can help you hone your interpersonal skills. If you learn better in person, see if there are any relevant courses at the adult education center or universities and colleges in your area.