The 15 basic social skills you can develop
Social skills are a series of behaviors that allow us to communicate and interact socially with other people appropriately and according to the context in which we find ourselves.
They are necessary to be able to adapt and to be able to relate to others. In this article we tell you what are the top 15 social skills that allow us to socialize.
- Related article: "Types of communication: the 14 different ways we interact”
The 15 most important social skills
This is a list of the 15 basic social skills, necessary to be able to function socially and establish healthy relationships with other people.
1. Empathy
Empathy is one of the main social skills of the human being, since it allows to put oneself in the place of the other person. It is a necessary capacity to be able to relate to other people, which allows us to know what the other person may be thinking and adapt to the situation.
2. Start a conversation
The ability to start a conversation is also basic to be able to communicate with other people
, being one of the social skills necessary to start a dialogue with someone. This skill allows us to know how to approach a conversation with another person and how to interact to start a dialogue.3. Active listening
Another important social skill is knowing how to listen, but actively. Active listening involves listening to the other person, paying attention, and letting them know that we are listening. The ability to actively listen to the other is necessary when interacting and have a conversation.
4. Assertiveness
Assertiveness is one of the most outstanding social skills, since allows us to express our opinions to the other person clearly and with respect, to be able to be honest without hurting their feelings. It is essential in relationships and allows us to defend our point of view effectively.
5. I respect
Respect for the other person or their opinions is also essential to be able to relate to the other. Respecting their thinking and beliefs is a social skill that allows us to interact without conflict with other people, and helps us build relationships.
6. Dialogue
But it is not enough to know how to start a conversation and practice active listening to be able to communicate with the other. Having the ability to dialogue is essential to be able to maintain a conversation with another person. Having the ability to show your point of view and then listen to that of the other person is essential for successful communication and social interaction.
- Related article: "20 conversation topics (great for ice breakers)”
7. Negotiation
Knowing how to negotiate is another outstanding social skill that we may need in many social situations. It is important to be able to master it to reach agreements with other people and to be able to avoid conflictive situations. It is especially prominent in areas such as work or relationships.
8. Courtesy
The ability to be polite and kind to the other as well it is important when interacting with anyone, whether they are friends and family or strangers. It is a basic skill to be able to initiate a healthy and smooth interaction with the other person.
9. Patience
Having patience is one of the basic social skills to adapt. Without this ability we could not endure certain situations in which it is necessary to remain calm, so it is important to have this ability in many situations and in front of many people.
10. Flexibility
An open mind allows us to adapt better and relate to other people without limitations such as rigidity or prejudice. It is an important social skill also to be able to adapt to different social situations.
11. Express feelings
The ability to express feelings as well it is important when communicating and relating to others, as well as to get what we want and what we think. Knowing how to adapt them to different social situations is also essential.
12. Regulate emotions
The way we express our emotions is also key to being able to adapt socially and to different situations. Knowing when we have to restrain ourselves or that the emotions expressed are adapted to each moment is vital to relate to others.
13. Compassion
Knowing when to forgive others is a virtue and another basic social skill when it comes to relating to other people. Showing compassion is key to being able to adapt and build good relationships with other people, even if they may have made mistakes.
14. Gratitude
Being able to give thanks when necessary is also an important social skill when interacting with other people and be able to establish good relationships. Letting the other know that they have done something good for us and showing gratitude is essential to show respect for the other person.
15. Convince others
The ability to convince other people is also one of the most outstanding social skills. It is not about getting others to do everything you want, but about being able to persuade with your own arguments to reach agreements and be more influential.
- Related article: "Temperaments of the human being: the 4 types and their characteristics”