What Are Good People Skills?

Many job descriptions require good people skills, and companies even conduct seminars to improve people skills. What does this concept mean exactly? At its most basic, having good people skills means behaving in a way that make people like you and feel comfortable around you. It isn't really all that difficult to cultivate a few behaviors that constitute good people skills. They are of great benefit not only with co-workers and customers, but in making happier relationships with friends and family, and widening your circle of acquaintances.

Smile

Smile so you look approachable and friendly. People take a negative view of somebody who looks grouchy all the time.

Interest in Others

Encourage other people to talk about themselves rather than spending a lot of time talking about yourself. If you talk about yourself all the time, you come across as a snob and tend to be boring.

Etiquette

You don't want to rapid-fire questions or ask about anything too personal. A few open-ended questions of a non-personal nature to keep a conversation rolling are fine.

Pay Attention

Pay attention when the other person is talking. Look him in the eye and actually listen. Don't glance around the room or let your mind wander, and avoid spending a lot of time planning what you will say next when you're supposed to be listening.

Names

Make a practice of remembering people's names, and call them by name now and then.