How to Handle People With Tact & Skill

Whether you're at work or school, with friends or at home with your family, it's important to learn how to get along with people in ways that will not alienate them from you. For example, if your friends have certain abilities that you don't have, don't resort to jealousy by excessively criticizing their skills, so you can make yourself look better. Instead, learn from your friends, so you can become a better person.

Instructions

1. Ask how to learn specific skills. For example, if you admire your coworker's ability to count how much cash is in her till in a faster way than you, ask her how you can count the money in your till in a more efficient way when the store first opens, so customers won't have to wait a long time. Or if your friend knows how to hold long and interesting conversations with people in social situations, ask how you can improve on your conversational skills.

2. Overlook their minor quirks. If your older sibling always gives you a harmless lecture on how you should keep your apartment tidy, but it's not your personality, look at the lecture as his concern that you may not be taking pride in yourself and that you shouldn't get too busy to the point where you neglect cleaning duties.

3. Combine your skills with others to achieve good results. For example, your business partner may be skilled in managing the company's finances better than you, but you do a better job with generating new ideas that will increase customers and the company's reputation. If a holiday is coming up, present some promotional ideas to your business partner, and then she can develop a budget that will be a good fit for your ideas.

4. Compliment others on their abilities. Tell your spouse that you appreciate his ability to discipline the children in a way that will get them to respect both of you and teach them respect for authority as they become adults. Or if like how your children are always finding creative ways to help senior citizens at local nursing homes, express your admiration for their ability to show compassion to those in need.

5. Show respect for the other person's views. If you're in a conversation with a house guest who believes that divorce hinders children's emotional stability, politely state that while you believe that divorce can hurt the children that are involved, it's still possible for children of divorced parents to be confident and mature adults if they have positive role models early in life.

References

• Afqam.org: Strengthening Your People Skills in the Workplace
• North Carolina State University: Adjusting to Work, Getting Along with Others
• Victorious.org: How to Get Along with People