Social skills , or better known as soft skills, refer to particular abilities of people that will be described in the following article.
The more competent an individual is, the greater his chances of success.
social skills
The so-called soft skills, recognized as social competencies, are those qualities, gifts, talents that many individuals possess and allow them to interact effectively with other people.
These are the product of a set of social skills that promote communication, rapprochement and other components that favor relationships and effective communication with other individuals.
On the other hand, there are hard skills, which refers to the training and technical requirements that allow people to carry out a specific activity.
For example, they are the compendium of practical theoretical knowledge that a person acquires in order to apply adequate procedures for the operation of a specific machinery of a factory.
In recent years, these social skills have aroused the interest of companies in view of the fact that in their experience they have determined that brilliant professional staff can be obtained.
Intelligent staff, and with an enviable field or technical preparation. However, if you do not have the ability to relate, work together, be a leader, motivate and help others, your productivity and performance may be poor.
It is of utmost importance to indicate that soft skills are a positive complement to hard skills. Although in some positions or jobs it is necessary to have a level of specialized knowledge.
The different organizational entities of these times are aware of the usefulness of these social skills to face difficult situations that may arise daily.
Among the most relevant social skills that companies want to be present in their staff, the following can be highlighted:
Active listening
One of the initial skills must be the ability to know how to listen, this is configured as the first step to dialogue, negotiate, help, understand, collaborate, etc.
A person who has the ability to actively listen to their interlocutors will surely easily establish and maintain interpersonal relationships in their environment.
Absolute respect for others
It is about accepting and valuing both individual and group differences, placing due respect and the rights of each individual first.
Such respect leads individuals to become much more receptive, have the disposition to understand, increase their tolerance, be more patient, flexible and have an open mind.
Receptive and expressive communication
This refers to the ability of people to accurately grasp messages. In addition to having the ability to start conversations, paying full attention to the details of verbal and body language.
Assertiveness
It is about having a measured behavior between aggressiveness and passivity, showing the ability to protect and express their own rights, opinions and feelings, without disrespecting the different positions of others, as well as not transgressing their rights.
Conflict prevention and resolution
It consists of the ability to identify, be able to anticipate or face in a good way the different social inconveniences and the possible interpersonal problems that may arise.
In a situation in which an interpersonal conflict is unavoidable, the idea or procedure to be carried out is to face the conflict with a positive disposition and attitude. Where the ability to provide constructive solutions is revealed, and to carry them out these negotiation and mediation skills are required.
The foregoing with the intention of consolidating agreements and reaching peaceful solutions to the situation that generated the conflict. Giving solution to the problem always taking into account the points of view and feelings of other people.
Effective handling of emotional situations
This is an essential skill that is about being able to exercise control and regulation of one's own emotions, as well as those of others. Especially when situations are under crisis or stress.
Empathy
It is considered one of the noblest skills required. It consists of the property or ability that people have to perceive, analyze and understand the feelings, needs, concerns, difficulties and attitudes of others. In short, put yourself in the difficult situation that the other or other people may be enduring.
Knowing how to handle the emotions of others is key
Responsibility for others
It is based on the ability that a person has to know how to delegate, trust and maintain control of the work, assuming the responsibility that this may cause due to the good or bad actions of other people.
In the same way as the so-called hard skills, one's own social skills can also evolve by taking courses, classes and workshops on emotional intelligence, teamwork, negotiation techniques or effective communication.
Some preponderant situations should be taken into account that can help with the above, for example:
It is key to communicate clearly, leaving no doubt about ideas, opinions and feelings. You should always start by becoming aware of how you are perceived when you are in the presence of others or when you are talking with them.
It is important to manage the cadence, tone and tone of voice in conversations. It is essential to put listening skills into practice, ask questions to expand knowledge about what people are saying.
It is prudent not to interrupt people while they are expressing an idea or proposition, they must be allowed to finish their speech and then the necessary annotations can be made.
Body language is important
Be attentive to the different signals provided by the body language of people when speaking. Observe the posture they take, their tone of voice, whether or not they maintain eye contact, their gestures and facial expressions.
Trying to maintain a friendly relationship with colleagues and superiors is important. This can be shown by attending social events promoted by the work entity.
On occasions when conflicts arise, it is advisable to seek a solution directly with those involved and avoid doing so in public.
Face the issues that generated the conflict in an assertive way and it is essential not to make judgments. Maintaining harmony is important, without neglecting the main objective, which is to resolve the conflict.
Ask pertinent questions that provide information that allows identifying the other person's points of view so that a satisfactory solution can be achieved for all.
It is always beneficial to maintain a positive attitude in difficult situations. Showing full calm in moments of crisis, and being willing to provide all the support and collaboration that the case deserves.
What does it mean to develop these skills?
If the intention is to get a promotion or pursue a career within an organization, you should not focus only on the skills or technical abilities that you possess, it is preponderant to develop all the soft skills that are possible.
Since, these can guarantee that a remarkable performance is achieved that can boost a projection in the labor world, which is increasingly competitive in our times.
It should not be forgotten, that it is a truth to all voices, that job opportunities are available to all those who have technical skills or competencies.
These technical skills make a good impression in job interviews and thus get the job, however, it is essential to be able to develop social skills since these are the ones that help keep you.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence plays a preponderant role in the success or failure of any type of interpersonal relationship, including sentimental, family and work relationships.
It is an important factor in the proper functioning of organizations, since empathy, emotional self-control and motivation of individuals can positively or negatively affect the work as a whole, making it more or less efficient.
These skills are decisive in the ability of people to convince others, to be able to manipulate and dominate others, characteristics of a leader.
This concept is not only applied to the workplace, it is also applied in the educational sector, where it has had a positive impact and has proven to bring benefits.
By implementing these emotional skills in teacher-student relationships, a better understanding and academic performance has been shown, teachers in this way promote effective teaching.
Students, on the other hand, by showing these practices improve the result of the cognitive learning process, improving their attitudinal performance.
Scientific studies support these claims, in fact the amygdala and the hippocampus are directly related to the evolution of emotions, as well as the importance of hormones.
To put these skills into practice, you need to know the difference between a boss and a leader, which you can find at the following link.