People Skills at Work

Effective communication starts with truly listening to understand, not just to respond.

Imagine a meeting where you felt unheard and sidelined; compare it to one where your thoughts were acknowledged, and how that respect transformed collaboration.

• When others feel heard, trust builds naturally.
• Active listening helps uncover and address miscommunications before they snowball.
• Those who listen well are often seen as more competent and persuasive leaders.

Commit to one conversation today where you practice: listen intently without interrupting for at least five minutes.

Avoid jumping to conclusions or planning your response halfway through the conversation—stay fully present instead.

Feedback should be a dialogue, not a monologue, promoting growth and understanding through empathy.

Remember when a harsh critique left you deflated? Recall how a balanced, empathetic feedback session uplifted and motivated you to improve.

• Constructive feedback supports and guides improvement.
• Empathy in feedback encourages honest dialogues and trust.
• Understanding and kindness minimize resistance to suggestions.

The next time you need to provide feedback, use the 'SBI model'—Situation, Behavior, Impact—to keep it focused and empathetic.

Avoid sugarcoating; being overly vague or indirect can muddle the message rather than clarify it.

High emotional intelligence allows you to navigate the complexities of work relationships with grace and effectiveness.

Reflect on the colleague who remains calm in crisis; their ability to manage emotions exemplifies strong EQ, earning respect and trust.

• Leaders with high EQ inspire and unify teams better.
• Understanding emotional cues aids in de-escalating tensions.
• Awareness of one's emotions enables quick adaptation to changes.

Today, observe your emotional responses to challenging situations and identify triggers to manage them proactively.

Don’t mistake EQ for suppressing emotion; it's about recognizing and managing emotions, not ignoring them.