6 Smart Social Skills Your Employer Wants From You At Work

Research shows that bad/poor interpersonal skills are the number one reason why people don’t get along, don’t get promoted or, even worse, lose their jobs.

Here are 6 smart social skills and tips that will help you relate and thrive in your relationships at work which will ultimately lead to your overall success in life:

1. Having A Great Attitude

Having a positive outlook on life and work will go a long way in helping you be more productive at the workplace.

Don’t let a small negative comment at work steal your joy. Always endeavor to keep your head up, be positive and light hearted. Be thankful for your job always.

Whenever you’re burnt out at work especially after a long day or week, always give yourself a chance to recharge and reward yourself for doing a good job.

2. Understanding The Feelings Of Others

Empathy is the ability to understand and relate to the feelings of others.

Being empathetic will help you develop strong relationships with other people.

It’s very important to be supportive of your colleagues, especially when they share important things with you. It shows that they feel comfortable around you.

Acts of kindness will go a long way in helping you relate with your colleagues.

3. Managing Relationships

If you are a full-time employee, you can expect to spend 40 or more hours a week with your coworkers.

You will spend a lot of time with the people at your workplace which is why it’s so important to have good relationships with them.

Good relationships will help you get along well with people and help you do your job better.

In case you have a difficult coworker or manager, always remain polite and professional towards that person.

If you need to confront them, make sure you do it carefully and thoughtfully.

You never know, a difficult coworker could easen up and become a friend over time.

4. Active Listening/ Less Talking

Active listening means you are fully engaged while listening to someone talk. You’re completely focused on the person speaking.

You are giving them eye contact, nodding, and occasionally asking clarifying questions to make sure you understand.

Instead of always seeking your own way and dominating conversations, aspire to be more of a listener.

There’s a lot you can learn from someone when you take the active role of listening.

Next time a colleague or manager is speaking to you. Put your phone, computer, or notebook down and fully engaged.

You’ll be surprised how much better you understand what they’re telling you and how much better you’ll remember later.

5. Showing Respect

Respect is earned and when you show it to others, they show respect for you too.

You can show respect for others by being polite and using your manners. It’s important to always say please and thank you in situations that need you to.

Also, wait until other people have finished talking before you respond so that you don’t cause them to forget what they wanted to say.

6. Taking Initiative

Be eager to learn, to improve and to grow in your career. All successful people are always eager to learn and to stretch themselves in order to be better.

Aim to strengthen your weak areas like stress management, completing tasks in good time, being focused at work or waking up early.

You are a result of your actions, thoughts and choices. By practicing these social skills, you can be sure that your relationships at work will not only thrive and flourish, but your whole life will change for the best!