Interpersonal skills are skills that show how you interact with others on a personal level. These skills include your verbal and non-verbal skills, how you work as a team, and how you maintain your attitude and emotions in difficult situations. Interpersonal skills are an integral part of emotional intelligence.
Usually, one relates interpersonal skills to the professional world as these skills are highly desired in an employee. However, these skills are also useful for students and make life a lot better for them. Students need to work on their interpersonal skills because:
Empathy – Empathy is the ability to see yourself in someone else’s place and understand their feelings. Empathy helps you connect with the people you interact with like your parents, teachers, and friends, and understand them and their situations better. This way, you don’t make snap judgements and think things over.
Leadership – Many students struggle because they lack leadership and a take-charge attitude. Working on your leadership skills is important for overall development. It helps you develop sensibility, foresight, persuasiveness, and the ability to take people forward with you. Good leaders uplift others along with themselves.
Problem-solving – The ability to never get flustered or bogged down while facing a problem can be quite helpful. Today’s students face many problems and if they have good problem-solving and critical thinking skills, they will go far in their education and career.
Public Speaking – Many people claim public speaking, also known as Gloss phobia, is their top phobia. Imagine if all these people actually had an opportunity to tackle this problem early on. Therefore, it is important students get over this fear early so they can become excellent public speakers and communicators.
Strong Work Ethic – Developing a strong work ethic early on in life is one of the best things a student can do. With this desired interpersonal skill, you become a dependable, trustable, and honourable person that people have respect for and gravitate towards. People know that you will always deliver what you promise.
Creativity – Yes, creativity is an interpersonal skill, and the world needs more creative people. The ability to think differently, offer a unique perspective, and offer a creative voice is good for all students. Student creativity always has to be nurtured and cherished.
Collaborative Skills – In your student life, professional life, and personal life, you will be required to work with other people. If you can do this well and be a great collaborator, you will do well in your life and even have a positive impact on others. Always remember, the biggest achievements can only be done together and not alone.
Non-verbal Skills – Non-verbal skills, also known as body language, are not any pseudo-science term. Our body conveys many things our words cannot and students need to work on this. Good, positive body language can automatically put anyone at ease.
Social Skills – Social skills are an amalgamation of many other skills like politeness, manners, helpfulness, listening skills, etc. It’s important that work on these skills to become an integral part of society. Only then can you positively impact others.
Decision-making Skills – Many people still have a problem making and sticking to a decision. Don’t let this happen to you. Learn critical thinking to make strong, insightful decisions as a student and this skill becomes a part of your adult persona as well.
Conflict Resolution Skills – This is one of the best skills to have. The ability to solve a conflict and make peace between two parties is a skill not many have. If you, as a student, pick up this ability, you will go far in your life and career. Conflict resolution is one of the most desired skills in the corporate world.
Open to Feedback – The best of people can’t take an ounce of criticism. But fair and constructive criticism can really help you grow and become better. So, always be open to feedback and constructive criticism to become a better student and professional.
Research & Analytical Skills – In an age where students are constantly bombarded with propaganda and biased opinions, good research and analytical skills can help make you impervious to falsehoods and become a free, independent thinker.
It is important that along with their education, students also work on their interpersonal skills because your education can only set on a path to success, but interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence will help you reach your goals in life and be a positive impact on everyone you associate with.