Interaction and communication are key to developing relationships with other people in a society. How we behave in a social setting speaks volumes about the person we are. Based on this perception, other people abstain or choose to interact with us.
Social interactions are simple to those who have worked on their social intelligence skills. However, it can be pretty challenging if your social intelligence skills are not at par.
You might have come across individuals who seem to possess the most valuable skills of all, i.e., people skills. This is a big part of developing your social skills.
Read on to know more about how to improve your social intelligence.
Important Indicators of Social Intelligence
Here are some key indicators of social intelligence that can be used as parameters to evaluate a person’s social intelligence skills:
1. Listening is key
Effective communication requires exchange between two parties, and it is a two-way street.
Listening is one of the core traits of social intelligence. Your response to a conversation can be improved by listening effectively to what the other person is saying.
The absence of listening can lead to miscommunication which might degrade relations. Not being appropriately heard can be a very daunting feeling for most people.
2. Building and managing a reputation
The way you are treated by society, in general, is contingent on the reputation you’ve built.
Making a positive impression on people will lead to a good reputation and standing in society.
Those who are socially intelligent know the art of reputation management. It requires a balanced approach and thoughtfulness in any action you take.
Your actions shouldn’t come as a negative surprise to people close to you.
3. Keeping arguments to a minimal
We human beings are driven by emotion and passion. It can be challenging to keep our cool during testing times.
However, this makes socially intelligent people different from those who lack this skill.
Proving a point shouldn’t come at the cost of arguments which can make the other person feel bad. You must have a broader perspective to understand where that view is coming from.
You can always agree to disagree but not outrightly reject a different point of view.
4. Conversational skills
People with good conversational skills can light up any room. They have a way with words and can charm even the most challenging person in the room.
Not all people intrinsically possess good conversational skills. However, working on the same can improve your skills.
It requires the right balance of different elements, including humour, empathy, and mindfulness.
You need to be able to connect with what the other person is trying to communicate. This requires paying attention to what they are saying and then indulging in a dialogue.
Developing Social Intelligence
Developing social intelligence can open a lot of closed doors for you. However, it can be a tough nut to crack.
Here are some tips to be mindful of if you wonder how to develop social intelligence:
- Pay close attention to details about people and the energy in your surroundings
- Work on building your emotional intelligence to be in complete control of your reactions
- Value people and their culture by respecting the differences
- Listen more than you speak; try to understand what the other person is saying
- Appreciate people who are close to you in life and address their emotions
Final Words
How to improve your social intelligence? This question requires a lot of introspection and learning from those around you.
However, paying attention to the critical indicators of social intelligence will set you on the right path.
Andrie Steliou
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