You may have the best qualifications and the most comprehensive work experience on your CV, but if you are unable to get along with your colleagues or fellow students, you may not be able to go far! How your coworkers see you heavily depends on your interpersonal communication skills, and can have a long-term impact on your career possibilities as well as your routine life. Read on to find out some effective tips to strengthen your social skills and make better connections with your team mates.

Be a sensible and effective speaker

To have your opinions valued, it is important that you weigh your words and thoughts before voicing them out. Intelligence and maturity are the secret ingredients to achieving exceptional communication skills. Avoid revealing the first thought that crosses your mind, without contemplating, to avoid misunderstandings and misperceptions with your peers.

An effective verbal communication is all about clarity. Slow down and speak more considerately, avoid impulsive responses to questions, and pause for a while to digest the conversation before offering your opinions. Stay calm and focused, speak politely and just follow basic professional ethics, and all should be well!

Your thoughtfulness and sensibility can take you a long way in being taken seriously, and so can a splash of vigilant humor. You may have already noticed that the funny guy in your office, or classroom, is also quite popular. As long as you keep off inappropriate humorous remarks, or offensive jokes, you will be able to ease out communication barriers with a timid peer or a grumpy manager!

Be a good speaker, but a better listener

It may be a lost virtue, but active listening is vital for great interpersonal skills. In addition to being an audience to your words, your coworkers would want to be heard and understood too. Make sure you recognize others’ perspective and demonstrate a basic understanding of their viewpoints. Try repeating what the speaker has said to express your attention and feel more connected.

Effective verbal communication has to be two-sided. Be prepared to listen to your colleagues with an open mind and concentration, and avoid emerging as distracted, judgmental, and disrespectful towards their point of views. To be approachable and favored, treat other speakers with the same dignity and importance as you would like for your own words.

Positive attitude, happy face, and considerate nature

Non-verbal communication provides the foundation for efficient verbal communication. Maintain a confident body language, be courteous and supportive, and most importantly, don’t be a whiner! Your constant smile can become your identity at your workspace, and your considerate nature can make you the most favorite employee among your colleagues. Get into a habit of writing positive appreciation notes to your coworkers; celebrate even the pettiest of achievements; remember their birthdays and important evens; always wear a cheerful outlook, and never hold back praises and thank-you. By representing a caring and courteous demeanor, you will have the same feelings reciprocated towards you.

Stay aware of your surroundings and focus on self-management

How effective your interpersonal skills are, basically depends on how well you manage your anger, frustration, mood swings and other emotions. Focus on self-management and maintain a calm and composed outlook at work and school. Be compassionate to a struggling coworker, avoid laughing in tense situations, and most importantly, keep a tap on your own emotions to be empathetic to others.

Be assertive yet open to constructive feedback

While it is important to always be polite and respectful, it is also essential that you demonstrate a certain level of assertiveness to get your point across and well-taken in a competitive environment. However, it is vital that you don’t come off as being rude or offensive. It is completely normal to defend your ideas with confidence, but remember to keep aggression at bay. Keep you volume and tone under control, choose appropriate words, and be tactful enough to emerge out of the situation respectably.

At times, your opinions may meet criticism and opposition, but there’s a reason why they are called opinions and not facts! Avoid taking criticism and negative feedback personally and remain flexible around your set course of action. There may be other better ideas than yours, accept them with an open mind to maintain a professional and persevering character.