People Skills (or Soft, Social or Interpersonal skills) are those skills that allow us to communicate, relate and socialise with others. They include both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication. Our people skills are often the way that others determine our potential as friends or partners, and whether we are suitable for employment or promotions in the workplace. Good people skills allow us to get on well with others.
People with good verbal people skills are able to determine the appropriate thing to say at the appropriate time, can communicate in an engaging manner and be able to speak in an educated and easily understandable manner with a clear, confident tone to their voice. Holding conversation, presenting effectively and talking at the correct level for your audience are all examples of good verbal people skills.
Non-verbal people skills can also be very important such as body language, good eye contact, appropriate gestures and maintaining the correct demeanour for each occasion. Active listening skills such as nodding of the head and showing clearly that you are taking in what someone is saying is also important.
People skills can often be a more innate part of one person’s personality than that of another person. However, these skills can be learned and improved upon by most people. Some individuals who may have communication disabilities may struggle at times to interpret subtleties such as voice inflection, sarcasm, and body language. Social anxiety sufferers can also find some social situations debilitating and are unable to express their own people skills fully as a result.
Examples of People Skills:
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Sensitivity to others |
Shows ability to maintain a deep interest in the concerns and feeling of others. Inclined to find ways to help people. |
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Insight into others |
Shows an understanding of what makes people do what they do, and tolerance of the actions of others. Good at reading the moods of others. |
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Openness to others |
Is open to, and communicates with people at all levels. Inclined to share personal experiences and trust people. |
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Respect |
Shows consideration for the feelings, needs, thoughts, wishes and preferences of others (including other cultures and races). |
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Speaking / Presenting |
Presents information clearly and confidently to other individuals or groups. Maintains good eye contact and keeps the attention of an audience or individual. |
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Active listening |
Pays full attention to what other people are saying, takes time to understand the points being made, asks questions as needed, and does not interrupt inappropriately. |
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Conversation |
Speaks clearly and listens attentively. Attends to other people, not to themselves. Seeks clarification where necessary and attends to body language appropriately. |
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Persuasion |
Shows ability to influence peoples beliefs and actions. Shows ability to win people’s cooperation and support for ideas or activities. |
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Team membership |
Works easily with groups of people and shows loyalty and commitment to the teams’ objectives. Attends to each member’s views equally. |
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Team participation |
Openly expresses views and opinions within a group. Shows willingness to take on tasks and responsibilities as appropriate to one’s experience. |
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Leadership |
Shows the ability to communicate a vision or goal to others and lead them towards achieving it. Pushes for action and results, and wins the support and help of others. |