How to Exemplify People Skills
"Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing," according to author and doctor Albert Schweitzer. Setting a good example with people skills is a key to a healthy job. According to a survey of 500 board level executives commissioned by Microsoft, 61 percent said that people skills and teamwork skills are more valued than IT skills. The best way to communicate the need for and the practice of good people skills is exemplify them through your own deeds and words.
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Instructions
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Learn people skills before you try to exemplify them to others. Read books by authors who specialize in people skills such as John C. Maxwell, Dale Carnegie or Ken Blanchard. Attend seminars, either online or in person. Learn through the observation of leaders with great people skills that are around you. Practice what you learn and then begin to lead by example.
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Give credit where it is due. Verbally and sincerely acknowledge the contributions of others in both small and great ways. Allowing others to receive credit builds a team willing to work together.
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Treat everyone with respect. Give no regard for position or wealth. Treat the janitor with the same level of respect as the president of the company and the grocery clerk the same as the city mayor. By respecting everyone, you set the tone for others around you, encouraging them to do the same.
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Control your emotions. When conflicts arise, stay cool and collected. Think before you speak or act. Demonstrate the proper way to deal with difficult situations. Set the example by avoiding name-calling, shouting or fits of anger. Keep your voice calm and use words that solve rather than fan the flames of the problem at hand.
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Avoid listening to gossip or spreading it yourself. Beth Weissenberger, CEO of the Handel Group, says that office gossip causes people to split into "teams" of people unaware of the actual truth. Negative feelings keep employees from focusing on their work and hurts their productivity. Gossip causes toxic relationships. By refusing to participate, either by listening to or feeding gossip fires, you set an exemplary example that keeps the workplace positive.
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Tips & Warnings
Always be sincere.
References
- Photo Credit a boss and a secretary image by Sergii Shalimov from Fotolia.com
