Imagine you’re in a meeting with a group of people who all have impressive technical skills—but the conversation still feels disconnected. Now picture the person who steps in: Someone who listens, builds trust, and brings the team together. That’s the magic of behavioral skills.
Often referred to as interpersonal or soft skills, these abilities determine how you interact with others, handle challenges, and contribute to a positive, collaborative environment.
Whether you’re starting a new job, aiming for a promotion, or exploring a career change, improving your behavior attributes can give you the edge you need to succeed and build better relationships along the way.
What are behavioral strengths?
Behavioral strengths refer to a set of interpersonal abilities and emotional intelligence traits that influence how people interact and respond in different situations. Unlike technical skills, which focus on specific tasks or tools, behavioral strengths emphasize how you approach tasks and situations rather than just what you do.
An example of behavioral strengths includes adaptability, such as staying effective and composed during sudden changes in workplace dynamics. These strengths are vital in both professional and personal settings, as they promote positive relationships, reduce conflicts, and boost overall productivity.
Why do behavioral skills matter in the workplace?
Here’s how behavioral strengths can make a difference:
- They enhance collaboration. Teams with strong behavioral skills are better equipped to work together, address challenges, and find creative solutions efficiently.
- They improve customer relations. Employees with strong communication and empathy skills offer better customer service, which can lead to increased client satisfaction and loyalty.
- They increase adaptability. Behavioral strengths help individuals manage change, cope with stress, and remain flexible in uncertain or shifting circumstances.
- They build stronger leadership. Effective leaders rely on behavioral strengths like emotional intelligence, motivation, and conflict resolution to inspire teams and guide them toward success.
7 behavioral skills examples
While technical expertise might get your foot in the door, it’s behavioral skills that help you thrive, collaborate, and lead. These skills are not only valued by employers but also essential for building strong relationships and navigating life’s complexities.
Below are some key behavioral characteristics examples, along with why they’re crucial for success.
1. Communication
Strong communication skills allow you to clearly share ideas, give instructions, and provide feedback. This minimizes misunderstandings and builds trust.
2. Emotional intelligence
This skill includes recognizing and managing your emotions while understanding others’. High emotional intelligence fosters empathy, reduces conflicts, and improves decision-making.
3. Adaptability
In a fast-paced work environment, being adaptable allows you to embrace change and tackle new challenges without losing momentum. Adaptability indicates resilience, another trait employers value.
4. Teamwork
Collaboration and mutual respect are essential for any team to achieve its goals. A strong sense of teamwork means you value others’ contributions and can work cohesively in a group.
5. Problem-solving
Problem-solving skills help maintain productivity even when unexpected issues arise. These skills include critical thinking and the ability to find practical solutions to challenges.
6. Time management
Time management skills, like the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain focus, boost both individual and team efficiency and performance.
7. Conflict resolution
Disputes are inevitable, but resolving them constructively is a skill. Effective conflict resolution maintains harmony and prevents issues from escalating.
Highlight your behavioral skills in your next interview—check these amazing open jobs on The Muse and find the perfect fit for you »
Tips on how to improve your behavioral skills
Improving behavioral attributes takes time, practice, and self-awareness. Here are actionable steps to help you develop these essential abilities:
- Seek feedback. Colleagues, supervisors, and mentors can offer valuable insights into your interpersonal skills. Use their feedback to identify both your strengths and areas for improvement. (Here’s how to ask for—and get—truly honest feedback.)
- Practice active listening. Focus on understanding the speaker’s message without interrupting or formulating your response prematurely.
- Build emotional intelligence. Engage in mindfulness practices to understand your emotions and reactions. Also, make an effort to empathize with others to strengthen relationships.
- Embrace lifelong learning. Enroll in workshops, take online courses, or read books on soft skills development. Continuous learning enhances your adaptability and problem-solving abilities.
- Role-play challenging scenarios. Simulating situations like conflict resolution or giving feedback helps you practice and refine your responses in a low-pressure setting. Practice with a trusted colleague or mentor, or even with artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
- Set personal goals. Identify specific behavioral strengths you want to improve and set achievable goals. For example, commit to speaking up in meetings to improve communication.
- Observe and emulate. Learn from colleagues or leaders with strong behavioral skills. Observe their techniques and incorporate what resonates into your approach.
Start today
Behavioural attributes aren’t just about succeeding in your career; they’re about thriving in life. The ability to communicate effectively, solve problems, and adapt to change empowers you to navigate challenges with confidence and grace.
Focus on one skill at a time and monitor your progress. With consistent effort, you’ll see improvements that benefit every area of your life.