10 Valuable Social Skills We Still Need

We still need social skills in this increasingly digital world! These valuable social skills help us make meaningful connections, enhance our ability to communicate socially and in business, and collaborate and foster teamwork. Social skills are vital for promoting community, boosting emotional intelligence, and contributing to well-being.

Z. Hereford

Do we really still need social skills?

With social media so prevalent and devouring much of our free (and not so free) time, what we once considered important and valuable social skills seem to have fallen by the wayside. Do we even need them?

Indeed, we do - now more than ever!

We still need to know how best to interact with co-workers, supervisors, clients, acquaintances, and others we encounter daily. Simply put, we need to know how to get along with people.

Another way to describe social skills is 'social intelligence.' Social intelligence was first studied and explored by psychologist Edward Thorndike in 1920. He defined it as the ability to interact effectively with others in any social situation or "to act wisely in human relations."

Here are 10 valuable social skills:

1. Effective communication. To successfully share your thoughts, opinions, and ideas, you must learn to communicate effectively. As I write in my article " 4 Tips for Achieving Good Communication Skills," without the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, we can quickly turn a message into an error, cause misunderstandings, or create a disaster.

2. Active listening. Listening is an underrated social skill. To engage in successful communication, you must know and understand what the other person is saying, and the only way to do that is to listen actively. Actively listening means paying attention to and processing what the other person is saying rather than thinking about what you will say next.

3. Making eye contact. Making eye contact while speaking is a way to show someone that you are focusing on what they are saying. Glancing at your phone or looking elsewhere is NOT acceptable when attempting to connect with someone. Making eye contact confirms that you are paying attention.

4. Learning people's names. Nothing is more validating than when someone remembers and uses your name after you have recently been introduced, or if you are an acquaintance, a friendly grocer, or a cashier. We all like to feel significant, and hearing someone use your name when greeting you is gratifying and much appreciated.

5. Showing respect. During social interaction, it is important to respect others' points of view and allow them the time to express them. Even though you may disagree with them, everyone has the right to express their opinion. Once they've had the opportunity to do so, you may then state your position.

6. Being cooperative. Cooperation is essential when working on a project, solving a work problem, or resolving an interpersonal issue. Being contrary or obstinate makes matters difficult and the situation counterproductive. All projects work better with teamwork, cooperation, and reciprocity.

7. Being empathetic. Being empathetic is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Empathy builds trust and rapport with another person, which, in turn, strengthens the relationship. Empathy also helps others understand that they are not alone and that life challenges all of us at times.

8. Smiling and being yourself. It may seem simple to smile and be yourself. However, many people feel they must perform and impress others upon meeting them. They believe it necessary to make a great impression and end up appearing phony and disingenuous. Conversely, when you smile and are yourself, you put others at ease and allow for the natural flow of conversation.

9. Having a positive, optimistic attitude. We are all naturally drawn to positive, optimistic people. Positive people make us feel better about ourselves. We can be positive in any social interaction by approaching it with an open mind, being willing to see all sides of an issue, and being helpful. We are positive and optimistic when we interact with others with a supportive, problem-solving mindset.

10. Inclusiveness. Engaging others in conversation, a project, or an exchange is an important ability and leadership skill. When everyone participates in an undertaking, it enriches all involved. Ideas flow, brainstorming takes place, and viable solutions spring forward.

The Benefits of Having Valuable Social Skills

✔ You build better, lasting relationships
✔ Enriches the quality of your life
✔ It boosts career opportunities
✔ Strengthens the immune system
✔ Builds self-confidence

As you may conclude, we must never let our social skills lapse. Much can be accomplished when we cooperate using various important social skills, including effective communication, listening, and teamwork.

Employing social intelligence allows us to maintain successful relationships and an excellent work culture. It also broadens our career opportunities because it brings out the best in all of us.