People Skills
People Skills are often described as (a) understanding ourselves and moderating our responses, (b) talking effectively and empathizing accurately, (c) building relationships of trust, respect and productive interactions. A British definition is “the ability to communicate effectively with people in a friendly way, especially in business.” The term is not listed yet in major US dictionaries.The term people skills is used to include both psychological and social skills, but is less inclusive than life skills.
Human relations studies became a movement in the 1920s, as companies became more interested in the “soft skills" and interpersonal skills of employees. In organizations, improving people skills became a specialized role of the corporate trainer. By the mid-1930s, Dale Carnegie popularized people skills in How to Win Friends & Influence People and How to Stop Worrying & Start Living throughout America and later throughout the world.
In the 1960s, US schools introduced people skills topics and methods—often as a way to promote better self-esteem, communication and social interaction. These encompassed psychologist Thomas Gordon’s “Effectiveness Training” variations as well as many other training programs.[6] By the 1980s, "traditional education" and a “back-to-basics” three Rs emphasis largely pushed aside these programs, with notable exceptions.
Interpersonal communication skills include effective prosocial interaction, empathy, understanding personalities and ability to work cooperatively as part of a group or team. Influential components are cultural awareness, conversational language and non-verbal communication.
The intrapersonal, or inner dimension, includes forms of self-communication and understanding personal emotions, goals and motivations. Self regulation of attention and stress management skills depend largely on self-communication (inner imagery and self-talk).
History
Basic human relations guidelines relating to people skills have been recorded from very early times. Examples in the Old Testament are Leviticus 19:18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against your people, but love your neighbor as yourself” and Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” However the Bible also condemns 'flattery' (Psalm 5:9)Human relations studies became a movement in the 1920s, as companies became more interested in the “soft skills" and interpersonal skills of employees. In organizations, improving people skills became a specialized role of the corporate trainer. By the mid-1930s, Dale Carnegie popularized people skills in How to Win Friends & Influence People and How to Stop Worrying & Start Living throughout America and later throughout the world.
In the 1960s, US schools introduced people skills topics and methods—often as a way to promote better self-esteem, communication and social interaction. These encompassed psychologist Thomas Gordon’s “Effectiveness Training” variations as well as many other training programs.[6] By the 1980s, "traditional education" and a “back-to-basics” three Rs emphasis largely pushed aside these programs, with notable exceptions.
Types of skills
People skills encompass a range of interpersonal and intrapersonal communication competencies. In business and organizational human relations, the emphasis is on social-emotional awareness, self-presentation, management, getting along with others, negotiation, conflict resolution and decision-making.Interpersonal communication skills include effective prosocial interaction, empathy, understanding personalities and ability to work cooperatively as part of a group or team. Influential components are cultural awareness, conversational language and non-verbal communication.
The intrapersonal, or inner dimension, includes forms of self-communication and understanding personal emotions, goals and motivations. Self regulation of attention and stress management skills depend largely on self-communication (inner imagery and self-talk).
