Interpersonal skills are vital even in the modern high-tech world. Strong positive social interactions can encourage and bring out the best in others in both personal and professional situations. Not being able to connect meaningfully with others can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Some people are natural social butterflies, while others need assistance to improve their people skills. Improving your people skills does take hard work and patience, but the reward is worthwhile.
First Impressions
When you first meet someone, give a strong, firm handshake. A weak handshake can communicate disinterest, while one that is too tight can come across as being aggressive. When you meet a person for the first time, try to remember his name, as it makes people feel good to have their names remembered and pronounced correctly. One way to help you remember someone's name is to repeat it twice in the span of your conversation.
Body Language
Make sure to sustain good eye contact with people when you are talking. Try not to cross your arms, as this can make you seem rude. Smiling a lot is a good idea when dealing with people as it gives the message that you are approachable and friendly. Try to stand and sit up straight, as slouching can give the impression that you have low self-esteem.
Listening
Listening deeply to others is an excellent way to create meaningful relationships. When you listen, make sure to do so actively, without preparing your response in your mind or interrupting the person who is speaking. Ask clarifying questions and try paraphrasing what the person you are talking to says to make sure you understand her properly.
Being Interested
It is a good idea to take a genuine interest in other people's interests and activities. This makes others feel validated and appreciated. You can really make a difference in someone's life just by demonstrating concern about how the person is doing on a day-to-day basis.
Good Manners
Always be polite to others. Follow the golden rule by treating other people the way you would like to be treated yourself. Support and help others when you sense that they could benefit from it. Apologize whenever you do something that could have hurt another person's feelings. Be considerate of other people by, for example, asking your roommate if it bothers him when you play your music while you are both working at home.
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