What Are Good People Skills?

An accountant needs to be good at math, a web developer needs to learn the newest programming languages and a doctor needs to keep up on the latest medical research. However, everyone who wants to succeed needs to be fluent in a particular set of skills – people skills.

In general, good people skills are defined as the ability to listen, to communicate and to relate to others on a personal or professional level. Good people skills also extend to include problem-solving abilities, empathy for others and a willingness to work together toward the common good.

Tip

Good people skills are defined as the ability to listen, to communicate and to relate to others on a personal or professional level. It can also include problem-solving abilities, empathy for others and a willingness to work together toward the common good.

Good Communication Skills

Strong people skills in the communications arena include the ability to take in information, clarify comments and participate in effective verbal and written exchanges. These skills can be developed by learning to participate in active listening in which you focus on the speaker's words rather than using the time to formulate your own point of view or response.

Good communication skills involve choosing your words carefully, issuing clarifying statements and reiterating complex conversations to verify information. Communication skills are an especially valuable people skill in publishing, advertising and media roles.

The Ability to Have Empathy

Empathy is the ability to have a visceral understanding of what another person is going through. This skill allows you to put yourself in another person's place and recognize the thoughts, emotions and experiences that person is having. The ability to have empathy allows a person to give more personal levels of attention and care and to provide a sympathetic listening platform. Developing this skill is particularly advantageous for those working in healthcare, childcare or educational roles.

Conflict Resolution Skills

Having the ability to mediate disputes and resolve conflict among customers and colleagues is an important professional skill. Conflict resolution involves the ability to clarify a specific dispute, listen in a non-judgmental manner to both perspectives and offer suggestions for reaching an equitable compromise. This ability can help keep peace in a workplace, stem inner-office issues and maintain high customer satisfaction levels. This trait is especially helpful for those working in managerial or oversight capacities.

The Value of Patience

Patience is an exceptional people skill that is valuable in every profession. Patience involves being able to maintain an even temper, to repeat and explain information as necessary and to control anger in even the most trying situations. Those in customer service, complaint departments and human resources roles should work particularly hard at developing this skill.

Tolerance and Understanding

Professional workplaces are made up of people from all walks of life. Having tolerance and understanding for the differences of others is vital to long-term business success. Tolerant people have the ability to accept differences, even when they don't personally agree with or condone them. This is an especially valuable skill in workplace environments that cater to people of vastly different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.

Sources

• What Are Good People Skills?: chron.com. Lisa McQuerrey Accessed Tuesday, 12 March 2019
• 20 tips for better people skills: 'Here's how to have a really good Thanksgiving: Glenn Beck. Accessed Tuesday, 12 March 2019