In today's job market, technical qualifications alone aren’t enough to guarantee success. Employers are looking for people who can communicate well and handle conflicts smoothly. That’s where strong social skills really come in.
Social skills are the abilities that allow people to interact with others. Whether it's making conversation, reading nonverbal cues, or resolving conflicts, these skills are essential for navigating personal and professional relationships. In a work context, social skills are crucial for building strong teams, fostering collaboration, and creating positive work environments.
This article will break down the social skills definition, provide examples of the most valued social skills in the workplace, and offer actionable tips on how you can improve yours to enhance your career prospects and workplace relationships.
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Social skills in the workplace: Why do they matter?
Strong social skills, often called interpersonal or soft skills, can significantly enhance your career trajectory. Whether you're in an interview or working toward a promotion, the ability to communicate effectively, empathize with others, and handle workplace dynamics with grace sets you apart.
People with well-developed social skills often find it easier to build rapport with colleagues, managers, and clients. This rapport can open doors to new job opportunities, help secure leadership roles, and position you as a team player who fosters collaboration.
“Social skills are the foundation of effective teamwork,” says Cody Thomas Rounds, a clinical psychologist and career advisor. “They help navigate different personalities and approaches to work, fostering a culture of respect, trust, and understanding.”
These skills enable you to network effectively, negotiate raises, and inspire confidence in your leadership potential—all crucial for advancing your career.
How social skills shape workplace culture and teamwork
Beyond personal career growth, social skills also influence workplace culture. Every workplace has its unique challenges, from managing differing opinions to resolving conflicts between team members. Strong social skills, like emotional regulation and open-mindedness, allow you to remain calm under pressure, listen to different perspectives, and work toward solutions that benefit the whole team.
Employees who excel in these areas often act as the glue that holds teams together. “Socially skilled individuals often act as connectors in the workplace, helping to bridge communication gaps, resolve conflicts, and create a more inclusive environment where ideas can flow freely and everyone feels heard,” Rounds says.
7 social skills examples that are valued at work
Social skills are the core of building strong workplace relationships. Below are some of the most valued social skills that employers look for and why they matter.
1. Effective communication
One of the most important social skills at work is effective communication, which involves both verbal and non-verbal abilities. It’s not just about expressing yourself clearly, but also listening actively to others. Mastering this skill ensures everyone understands tasks, expectations, and objectives, creating an environment where information flows easily and misunderstandings are minimized.
2. Empathy
Empathy involves putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and understanding their feelings and perspectives. In the workplace, showing empathy builds stronger connections with coworkers, making you approachable and trusted. This skill is vital for managing teams, resolving conflicts, and fostering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels understood, heard, and valued.
3. Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is one of the examples of social skills that employers value most. “Employers tend to prioritize social skills that foster strong interpersonal dynamics and enhance collaboration,” Rounds says. “The most valued include emotional intelligence, which involves being able to read and respond to others’ emotions effectively.” Workers with high emotional intelligence can navigate workplace tensions and create harmonious, collaborative environments.
4. Conflict resolution
Disagreements are inevitable in any workplace, but the ability to resolve conflicts constructively is a critical social skill. Workers who can mediate disputes and find solutions that satisfy everyone involved, including the company’s best interest, help maintain a positive and productive work environment. Strong conflict resolution skills also demonstrate leadership potential, making you a valuable asset in any team.
Read this next: 7 Workplace Conflict Examples (Plus How to Handle Each One)
5. Active listening
Active listening is more than just hearing words; it’s about understanding the message behind those words and responding thoughtfully. This skill is essential for fostering trust and respect in professional relationships.
“I had a client who was struggling to adjust to a new team environment,” says Ehab Youssef, a licensed clinical psychologist. “Once we focused on developing their emotional intelligence and active listening skills, they became more attuned to their coworkers' needs, which helped them build better professional relationships.”
6. Adaptability
Adaptability involves being flexible and starting on new challenges and taking on different responsibilities with a positive attitude, ensuring they remain effective even in uncertain situations.“In fast-paced environments, employers look for individuals who can adjust to changing circumstances smoothly, whether that means pivoting on a project or learning new skills,” Youssef says.
7. Networking
Networking is the art of building and keeping professional relationships. Strong networking skills allow you to create connections that can benefit both you and your contacts in the future. Whether it’s finding a mentor, learning about new job opportunities, or collaborating on projects, networking plays a key role in career advancement and professional development.
How to know if your social skills are bad?
Understanding where you stand with your social skills is the first step toward improvement. By assessing your strengths and identifying areas for growth, you can develop a better strategy for enhancing these essential abilities.
One of the easiest ways to evaluate your social skills is through self-assessment techniques. Reflective journaling, for instance, allows you to track your interactions and reflect on how you handle various situations. After a conversation or meeting, ask yourself: Did I communicate clearly? Did I listen to others? How did my body language contribute to the exchange?
Another option is peer feedback—ask colleagues or friends for constructive input on how you come across in social settings. Their perspective can offer insights you may overlook. It’s not always easy to spot weaknesses in your social skills, but certain signs may indicate areas for improvement.
If you frequently struggle with communication, find yourself misinterpreting others' emotions, or feel uncomfortable in group settings, these could be signs that your social skills need some work. Additionally, poor social skills can manifest as difficulty building rapport with coworkers, frequently encountering misunderstandings, or feeling excluded from team dynamics.
How to improve your social skills
So, is it difficult to improve social skills? For many, enhancing social abilities can feel daunting, but with the right approach and practice, it’s entirely achievable. There are several ways to build these valuable skills and make a noticeable difference in your personal and professional life. Here's how to get started.
Participate in workshops
Engaging in social skills training or behavior skills training programs is an excellent first step toward improvement. These workshops offer structured environments where you can focus on specific areas, like communication, emotional intelligence, or conflict resolution.
These programs can provide tools to help you understand where your social skills need attention. Through exercises and feedback, you can make progress in a supportive setting, practicing low-stakes interactions to boost your confidence.
Practice active listening
Focusing on hearing what others are saying helps create deeper connections and fosters trust. “Make an effort to truly listen to what others are saying without immediately thinking about your response,” Youssef says. “This builds rapport and makes people feel heard.”
Practice this in everyday conversations, whether at work or in social situations. This way, people will feel valued and, with time, will feel more comfortable talking to you about their difficulties at work and career advancement desires.
Seek feedback
Seek honest input from trusted peers, mentors, or friends. Their insights can help you identify specific areas for improvement, such as body language, tone of voice, or how you handle certain social situations, enabling you to work on areas that may not be immediately obvious to you.
Try role-playing scenarios
By simulating real-life scenarios with a friend or therapist, you can practice how you might handle different situations, from networking events to workplace conversations. “One of my clients did this to prepare for networking events, and it helped them feel more confident approaching new people,” Youssef says.
Join clubs or groups
Another great way to develop your social skills is by joining clubs, social organizations, or volunteer groups. These environments offer diverse opportunities to practice interacting with different people. Whether it’s engaging in small talk at a community event or collaborating on a group project, these experiences help you practice social skills in a variety of contexts.
Social skills pitfalls to avoid in the workplace
Navigating social interactions at work isn’t always easy, and many people unintentionally make mistakes that can affect their professional relationships. Here are a few social skills mistakes to avoid:
- Interrupting: While you may be eager to share your thoughts, cutting someone off can come across as rude or disrespectful, even if it’s unintentional. Be sure to actively listen and wait for the right moment to contribute.
- Oversharing: “Sharing too much personal information, especially early in professional relationships, can make colleagues uncomfortable,” Youssef says. Remember, boundaries matter, especially in professional settings.
- Not paying attention to body language: Ignoring non-verbal cues—such as tone of voice or posture—can lead to misunderstandings. Observe how others react during conversations to ensure you're on the same page.
- Avoiding conflict at all costs: While it’s tempting to steer clear of conflict, suppressing issues instead of addressing them constructively can lead to even bigger issues, especially if you work or are seen as a team leader. Avoiding conflict can cause unresolved issues to fester, making workplace tensions worse over time.
- Assuming that everyone communicates the way you do: Misunderstandings often arise when we fail to recognize and adapt to how others prefer to give and receive information. Allowing space for others to contribute and respecting different communication styles helps foster more balanced and productive interactions.
Bottom line
Mastering social skills is essential for career growth and fostering strong workplace relationships. Whether you're looking to improve communication, navigate conflicts, or simply connect better with colleagues—and why not make some friends?—understanding and enhancing your social skills can make a significant difference in your professional success.
By assessing your current abilities, avoiding common mistakes, and actively working to improve, you can build stronger connections, create a positive work environment, and open doors to new opportunities.