Top Interpersonal Skills At Work

Interpersonal Skills, simply described as the traits that people use to interact with one another, are gaining more prominence at the workplace. These skills are transferable and essential for all employees, regardless of industries, locations, and designations.

Employers consider interpersonal skills critical because they facilitate a smooth flow of work and contribute towards creating a healthy work environment. Businesses are therefore investing a significant amount of time and resources in ensuring that their workforce develops these essential skills and make them a part of the organizational culture. In fact, many companies are now assessing potential candidates for these skills right at the recruitment stage.

While there are several interpersonal skills that can enhance a person’s ability to interact with others, the top skills that organizations look for in their employees include –

1. Active Listening: This includes engaging with the speaker by paying attention to what they are saying without any interruptions, acknowledging them, asking the right questions (when required), and responding appropriately. Active listening is regarded as one of the most essential skills by most employers, not only for frontline staff, but also for people in managerial and leadership roles. Listening is the first step in effective communication, which is critical to the success of any business.
2. Empathy: The ability to understand how others feel and what they need helps people deal with difficult situations in a more collaborative manner. Empathizing is important, not just when dealing with customers but also while interacting with colleagues and other stakeholders. It allows people to connect with one another on a personal level, thereby building a stronger business relationship. Empathetic people usually tend to get along better with others, which is a huge plus point in business.
3. Collaboration: Teamwork has become a valuable trait at the workplace as it fosters a sense of harmony and synergy across the organization. Collaboration brings out the best in individuals by capitalizing on the strengths of different team members and reducing unhealthy competition. Employees who are recognized as great team players are usually selected for the most important tasks at work.
4. Ownership: Employees who proactively take the lead in delivering results, bringing about a positive change, going the extra mile, or fixing a problem, demonstrate traits of accountability and responsibility. This could also include making tough calls and taking decisions that may not be easy. Employers regard such people as dependable and feel that they can be relied on, even in the toughest situation.