Interpersonal skills are absolutely necessary for functioning effectively with peers, superiors, and subordinates in the workplace. But these so-called soft skills have also been recognized as essentials for leadership success. All other things being equal (knowledge, experience, talent, etc.), it’s often these behavioral skills that separate good leaders from bad ones. 

Some leaders are natural “people people,” while others must work to acquire and build their people skills. Either way, each new workplace experience gives leaders an opportunity to exercise and sharpen their skills.

Such people-oriented management has become increasingly vital to organizations, which in essence are groups of people working together to deliver quality results. Individuals who use their skills to strengthen relationships with employees, strategic partners, and customers can make a direct impact on productivity and the bottom line.

The three most significant skills

Improving interpersonal skills is critical to personal development and professional growth. Here are three key areas on which to focus.

Listening

Listening is generally the number-one skill that can lead to more effective organizational leadership. Active listening requires demonstrating full attention to a conversation, respecting others’ ideas and opinions, and reframing what’s been said to ensure understanding. Good listeners also avoid these common bad habits.

• Multi-tasking. You can certainly hear what’s being said while at the same time reorganizing that inbox or scanning e-mail, but the person speaking will interpret you as unfocused and uninterested – and their ideas as unimportant.
  
  
• Dominating conversations. One-way conversations leave no room for others to share. In order to learn more, you may need to talk less.
  
  
• Getting in the last word. One-upmanship implies that others’ ideas will never be as good as your own. It creates distrust and squelches employees’ desires to offer any useful insights or fresh ideas in the future.
  
  
• Jumping to conclusions. Be sure to hear the whole story before weighing in.

Empathy

Empathy – the ability to see situations from another person’s perspective – can help leaders understand how and why people react to situations.

Empathetic leaders will consider others’ perspectives, focus on the feelings and perceptions of others, and strive to show genuine concern. Their actions demonstrate that every person is important and deserves to be acknowledged with compassion and understanding.

They also express a sincere interest in employees’ personal and professional lives and are enthusiastic about their achievements. In the process, they create strong bonds and bolster trust levels.

Humility

Humility is much more than just the absence of arrogance; it’s the willingness to accept responsibility and readily admit mistakes.

Unafraid to be vulnerable or to acknowledge their limitations, leaders acting with humility willingly defer to others, especially those in lesser ranks. They avoid assigning blame or acting defensive in the face of adversity. Instead, they welcome the truth and are willing to learn and change. They also maintain a positive attitude even in the face of arguments and disagreements.

People respond to humble leaders who share the credit for success and express appreciation for work efforts. By providing praise and encouragement, and giving proper recognition whenever it’s due, a leader can demonstrate humility and gain respect in the workplace.