Mental Fitness Mondays: How Good are your Social Skills?
Social Skills Reign Supreme
We all know someone - maybe it’s you - who is socially confident. They seem to have no problem striking up conversations, talking to anyone and everyone, and often entertaining others with their stories.
Being a naturally quieter person myself, I used to be in awe of people like that! I didn’t believe I could ever be socially skilled, and I certainly lacked confidence.
In today’s Mental Fitness Monday, I explore social ‘skills.’ This is the first of four posts in the ‘Four Core Muscles’ element of ‘People Skills,’ and it’s an area I personally work on every day.
If, like me, you’re a quieter person, you may be surprised to realise that you probably already have many social skills. In the next post, we’ll look at social confidence, which often comes more naturally to outgoing people. But today, we’re focusing on the essential skills that make conversations and communication successful.
The Power of Listening
Sometimes people are quiet because they’re actively listening - and what a fantastic skill that is! At Real Clear, we always encourage listening on our courses. Have you ever met someone who talks a lot but never listens? What’s your opinion of them? Listening is a cornerstone of strong social interactions.
Communicating Clearly
What else comes to mind when I say ‘social skills’?
Hopefully, you thought about communicating clearly; making points that are easy to follow and using appropriate language for the situation. Clear communication helps build trust and understanding.
Non-Verbal Communication Matters
Another key element of social skill is paying attention to body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions - both our own and those of the people we’re interacting with.
During my coaching training, I became more aware of the non-verbal elements of communication. By paying attention to these subtle cues, we can develop our ability to put others at ease and understand the deeper meaning behind their words.
Thoughtfulness and Consideration
Thoughtfulness and consideration towards your audience, whether it’s one person or many, are also crucial social skills. I’ll admit there have been times when I’ve ‘offloaded’ my thoughts onto someone without considering the impact on them or what they were getting from the conversation. I wonder - have you ever done that too?
Growth Mindset for Social Skills
Social skills can always be developed. Babies aren’t born socially skilled! When I was younger, I often felt like I lacked these skills… and honestly, I did. But once I realised that social skills can be improved, I started working on mine, beginning with listening better.
These days, I deliver training courses in front of large audiences and feel much more socially skilled, even though I don’t always get it right.
Whether you’re the life and soul of the party or more introverted, here’s something to think about:
What are your social (and communication) skills, and how will you use them well today?
