The most important social skills you can develop

Social skills are vital for everyday communication with other people in a variety of ways. Living in a digital era does not mean that we should not develop concrete social skills in terms of verbal, nonverbal, written, or other forms of communication.

   Social skills, also referred to as interpersonal skills, are part of the soft skills an individual can demonstrate. These skills are crucial in both personal and professional relationships. Many employers value workers with soft skills exploring their ability to interact successfully with colleagues and other people in general.

   Performing efficiently and effectively in the workplace means that people need the following social skills, according to The Occupational Information Network (developed under the sponsorship of the United States Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration):

- Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

- Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.

- Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

- Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

- Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

- Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

   Coordination is important to direct a project between multiple subcontractors, while the demonstration of a surgical procedure to interns in a teaching hospital requires great instructing soft skills.

   Also, working as an ambassador or manager of contracts requires negotiation skills, many times in combination with persuasion soft skills, in terms of convincing others. Social skills have long been recognized as essential in promoting employees’ employability, which means that individuals with increased awareness of social skills present better chances of being hired.