1.2 The Importance of Interpersonal Skills
What skills are included?
Interpersonal skills are generally considered to include a wide range of skills, such as:
Communication skills, which cover:
- Verbal Communication - what we say and how we say it
- Non-Verbal Communication - what we communicate without words, for example through body language or tone of voice
- Listening Skills - how we interpret both the verbal and non-verbal messages sent by others
Emotional intelligence - being able to understand and manage your own and others' emotions
Team-work/Collaboration - being able to work with others in groups and teams, both formal and informal
Problem solving and decision-making - working with others to identify, define and solve problems, which includes making decisions about the best course of action
Critical Thinking - considering the facts of a situation and taking others' perspectives into account, rather than relying on assumptions
Empathy - being able to identify and understand other people's feelings
Social Interactions - making and keeping relationships and knowing how to work or play with others
Thinking Towards the Future - setting goals and creating action plans to activate these goals
Respect - showing esteem for self and others, through words and actions