How did you improve on your social skills?
- It’s how you make them feel
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Especially if you’re shy, making a commitment to do the following within 60 seconds of entering the room: go up to someone and introduce yourself. That way, you will have burst the shy bubble before you have a chance to get nervous.
- Take the lead
Be proactive in social situations, and this will increase your social value, especially when you’re in a group setting.
- Small talk is important
Just like going to a restaurant, you don’t want to just get the food the moment you walk in the door, eat it and go. It’s a dining experience with a set of rituals that makes it enjoyable, worthwhile and something you’ll want to do again. This is highly relevant to clients and colleagues as well. It allows you to be seen as a complete person rather than someone who is boring, stiff and robotic. Showing your personality and being able to develop relationships is a great differentiator that helps you advance.
- Get feedback
Point is when you’re bad at social skills, people won’t just come out and tell you – frankly, people don’t even tell you when you’ve got spinach in your teeth! It’s in your own interest to find out.
- Learn to wrap up
When the conversation has come to a natural end, or you’ve reached your attention span limit, all you have to say is, “It was a pleasure meeting you. Thanks for chatting.” Then walk away. It’s all about your demeanour while you’re giving that simple two-liner. You can smile, but you have to disengage and start moving away.
Whatever you do, keep practising your social skills. They are true differentiators, especially as you become more senior and people look to you for more than “just” your technical expertise.
(I do not own this image, thank Google Images)
Thanks for Reading :-)
Kartik Shetty ✍️
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