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Aim to be understood -

One of the most important soft skills is communication. Your ultimate aim when communicating with others is to be understood.

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Aim to be understood -

Avoid fancy language, and try to be as specific as possible. If you have trouble staying on topic, focus on the point of the communication.

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Make eye contact -

Another important element of communication is eye contact. Meeting the gaze of your conversation partner will make them feel like you are fully engaged with what they’re saying.

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Make eye contact -

If you struggle with this, try turning your body to face the person you are talking to. Do your best to ignore distractions to the maximum extent possible.

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Monitor your body language -

It is also important to monitor your body language. Sitting up and leaning forward slightly will show the other person that you are engaged in the conversation.

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Monitor your body language -

You might also try to mimic the other person’s posture. While this may seem strange at first, it will send the message that you’re both in the same boat, thus putting them at ease.

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Practice speaking -

If you are not a confident speaker, there is nothing better you can do than to practice. Whether it’s public speaking or casual conversation you find difficult, practice makes perfect.

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Practice speaking -

If you are uncomfortable with casual conversation, try practicing with a close friend or family member. If it’s public speaking you hate, volunteer to give a presentation in a small group.

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Develop your writing skills -

Remember that speech is not the only medium; it’s also important to hone your writing skills. Just like speaking, the more you practice your writing, the more easily it will come.

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Develop your writing skills -

You may like to practice writing on your own, but there are also affordable workshops offered at community centers, schools, or even online.

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Practice active listening -

Active listening is a very important soft skill, but it can be difficult to train. Proper active listening requires focus, patience, and self-discipline.

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Practice active listening -

Try paraphrasing and asking questions to understand what was said, as well as demonstrate that you’re interested. Do your best not to interrupt the other person while they’re talking.

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Pay attention to body language -

Paying attention to the body language of the person you are talking to will help you better understand their frame of mind and tailor your response.

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Pay attention to body language -

For example, if the other person keeps checking their watch, they may well be enjoying the conversation, but they might also have an appointment to keep.

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Build relationships -

Interpersonal relationships are important in all areas of life. They heighten our experience of life and are always worth investing in.

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Build relationships -

It can be difficult to forge relationships in certain situations, particularly in the workplace. If you can manage it, though, it’s worth building relationships with peers, colleagues, and superiors.

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Be friendly -

The best way to strengthen your relationships at work is to be friendly with your colleagues. Greet them when they get to work, and take a few minutes to talk in the break room over a coffee, for example.

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Be friendly -

Participate in work events whenever possible and avoid gossip—gossiping is often interpreted as rude and can only ever do damage to relationships.

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Manage conflict in a healthy way -

It is also essential to manage conflict in a healthy way. Try to address issues with individuals in a private manner and approach the discussion in an assertive way.

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Manage conflict in a healthy way -

Try your best to be nonjudgmental, and ask questions to understand the other person’s side of the story. That way you can work together to find a solution to the problem.

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Network -

When it comes to networking, it's worth honing this skill both inside and outside your current organization. You never know when knowing someone might come in handy.

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Network -

To start building your network, ask people about their jobs and share a bit about what you do. Exchange contact information and be sure to follow up.

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Practice leading -

Leadership is often considered a God-given skill—we often refer to "born leaders" and all that. The reality is, however, that strong leadership skills can be learnt.

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Practice leading -

To hone your leadership skills, try to observe your supervisor. Observe the things they do well and try to emulate them in your own work.

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Take initiative -

Taking initiative is a great way to show responsibility and enthusiasm, both inside and outside of work. When you’re done with your tasks, why not offer to help others?

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Take initiative -

Be mindful of the fact that help is not always welcome, of course. Approach people politely and don’t take offense if the person wants to finish their tasks on their own.

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Improve your problem-solving skills -

And, finally, problem-solving skills. Again, these are essential in all walks of life. Thankfully for us, they can also be trained.

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Improve your problem-solving skills -

To hone your problem-solving skills, try to approach problems in a focused way, but with an open mind. You might like to practice problem solving games, such as chess, too.

Sources: (WikiHow)

See also: Top tips for diffusing workplace tension

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