In the fast-paced world of work, certain people skills, though crucial for professional success, often get overlooked or undervalued
CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in Indeed
People skills are often seen as basic or intuitive. These skills are essential for fostering positive and productive interactions in the workplace. However, there are some people skills that tend to be forgotten or undervalued, even though they can greatly enhance personal and professional effectiveness. Here’s a closer look at some of the skills that often go unnoticed, along with why they are overlooked.
Good Manners
Good manners are fundamental in building respectful, pleasant interactions with others. However, in fast-paced and high-pressure work environments, these skills can sometimes be overlooked. When teams are focused on deadlines, productivity, or stress, simple courtesies like saying “please” or “thank you” may get pushed aside. Yet, these small gestures convey respect and acknowledgment, strengthening relationships and creating a positive work culture.
Understanding Body Language
While verbal communication is often the focus, non-verbal cues can play a major role in how information is received and interpreted. Reading and understanding body language is a crucial skill, but it’s often neglected because people focus primarily on spoken words. This can result in missed signals that might indicate a person’s discomfort, confusion, or enthusiasm. Being able to read body language accurately helps you understand others’ feelings and can guide your approach, making interactions more empathetic and effective. It’s also important to be aware of your own body language, as it communicates just as much as your words.
Understanding Boundaries
Respecting personal and professional boundaries is essential for creating a comfortable, collaborative work environment. Unfortunately, boundaries are often overlooked, especially when teams or organisations become very goal-oriented or result-driven. This can lead to misunderstandings or discomfort if personal space, time, or emotional limits are not respected. Developing a sensitivity to the different boundaries of colleagues, whether related to time, workload, or personal space, helps foster mutual respect and support, leading to better teamwork and trust.
Negotiation Skills
Negotiation skills are essential for resolving conflicts, reaching compromises and finding solutions when parties have different perspectives. These skills are often underestimated or overlooked because people tend to view negotiations as confrontational or unnecessary in certain situations. As a result, individuals may avoid having difficult conversations or miss opportunities to find win-win solutions. Effective negotiation requires a balance of flexibility and assertiveness, along with an understanding of others’ needs and viewpoints, which leads to mutually beneficial outcomes.
Good Judgment
Good judgment is about making sound decisions, particularly when faced with complex or ambiguous situations. It involves assessing risks, weighing different perspectives and choosing the best course of action. This skill is crucial yet often overlooked because it’s not always immediately visible. People tend to focus more on technical expertise or immediate results than on the thought process that informs decision-making. Good judgment is especially important in customer-facing roles, where how you respond can significantly impact the outcome. It also builds trust, as your colleagues and clients rely on your ability to make thoughtful, well-considered decisions.
While many people skills seem basic, they play a fundamental role in personal and professional success. The skills mentioned here – good manners, understanding body language, respecting boundaries, negotiation and good judgment – often get overlooked because of busy work environments, a focus on tangible results, or lack of awareness. Developing and refining these skills can enhance your interactions with others, foster a positive workplace culture and increase your overall effectiveness as a team member or leader.
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