| Many people misunderstand what social skills are - | | | | of success she attains. There are always others |
| and what they're not. Here's a quick look at a few | | | | who have input and an impact on the ease or |
| common myths and some information on what | | | | difficulty she will face when seeking career |
| social skills really are. | | | | advancement and development. |
| Myth #1: | | | | Those with highly developed social skills |
| People who like talking are interesting and have | | | | understand the importance and value of their |
| good social skills. | | | | relationships. They realize that while having the |
| False. | | | | appropriate education or experience is essential, |
| Verbosity isn't a social skill. In fact, it can damage | | | | social skills are paramount when seeking ongoing |
| one's social popularity and result in avoidance by | | | | career opportunities. |
| others. Such over-talkative individuals may be | | | | Myth #4: |
| seen as: | | | | People with poor social skills are aloof, uncaring |
| - self-centered: most of their monologue is about | | | | and indifferent. |
| themselves, their opinions, their activities, etc. | | | | False. |
| - rude: they monopolize the conversation without | | | | Individuals who have poor social skills may, in fact, |
| letting others contribute or participate | | | | caring and interested. It's unfortunate that their |
| - selfish: their incessant talk shows little respect | | | | lack of social skills results in them being |
| for the listener's time and interests | | | | misunderstood and negatively labelled. The |
| - boring: loquacious individuals tend to include too | | | | misrepresentation that these individuals incur is |
| much trivial information that is irrelevant and | | | | caused by their inability to know what to say and |
| uninteresting to the listener. | | | | how to act or behave in social situations. Often, |
| The number of words spoken does not | | | | they lack the necessary skills to effectively |
| necessarily reflect good-quality conversation nor | | | | express themselves and communicate in ways |
| an ability to effectively interact with others. | | | | that show support, encouragement and |
| People are interesting when they have something | | | | friendliness. |
| worthwhile to say and are able to engage in a | | | | To be understood as the person they truly are, |
| discussion. Good social skills include the ability to | | | | and to avoid being mistaken for someone they're |
| carry on a conversation without dominating it and | | | | not, they need to acquire good social skills that |
| to encourage others to participate. | | | | allow others to recognize their positive attributes. |
| Myth #2: | | | | These individuals simply need assistance and |
| Introverts are socially unskilled individuals. | | | | guidance to know what to do and how to interact |
| False. | | | | effectively in social situations. There are many |
| The elements of good social skills are the same | | | | methods and techniques that can help individuals |
| for everyone. Both introverts and extroverts alike | | | | learn these simple skills and easily implement them |
| can have superb social skills or, alternatively, very | | | | in everyday life. |
| poor social skills. Skills such as listening, conversing, | | | | What are Social Skills? |
| remembering names, showing common | | | | Social skills are a collection of verbal |
| courtesies, and giving good feedback require | | | | communication techniques and non-verbal actions |
| attentiveness from anyone who displays good | | | | that we use to interact and connect with others. |
| social skills, regardless of whether they're an | | | | Strong social skills include (among others): |
| introvert or an extrovert. A lack of such | | | | - active listening |
| attentiveness shows a general lack of social skills. | | | | - knowing how to greet others |
| Introverts who have refined their interpersonal | | | | - conversing and making small talk |
| skills have techniques to follow when in social | | | | - building a friendly rapport |
| situations, and those who continue to improve | | | | - complimenting others |
| their professional and personal relationships are | | | | - offering praise and encouragement |
| highly socially skilled. | | | | - showing support and understanding |
| Myth #3: | | | | - acknowledging others |
| A good education and hard work are all anyone | | | | - saying 'thank you' |
| needs to succeed in a career and in life. Good | | | | Social skills can be learned by anyone and most |
| social skills aren't important. | | | | skills are easy to integrate into daily life. |
| False. | | | | Sometimes all it takes is to be aware of an |
| A solid education and work or personal experience | | | | action, such as saying 'thank you' or remembering |
| are undoubtedly key factors that contribute to | | | | someone's name. Other times it's breaking a poor |
| success. Knowing how to perform a job function, | | | | habit, like interrupting someone when they're |
| managing the tactics of a plan or having technical | | | | speaking. Then there are some social skills that |
| knowledge of machinery or equipment qualifies | | | | involve learning new techniques, such as giving |
| the individual for the position. | | | | constructive feedback and making small talk. |
| However, as the individual progresses in her | | | | Good social skills are key to establishing, |
| career and life, the manner in which she interacts | | | | maintaining and growing all relationships - at work, |
| with others - and the quality of that interaction - | | | | at home and in the community. |
| plays an important role in determining the degree | | | | |