| There was a time when most of us got a lot of | | | | engage in all day gab fests. Just put aside a few |
| reinforcement at home as we were growing up on | | | | minutes each day to greet people at work; connect |
| how important it is to get along with others. Our | | | | with them and then move on to your job duties.o |
| parents, and later teachers and even coaches and | | | | Consider getting some help from a specialist like a |
| ministers, pushed us beyond our comfort zone to | | | | social skills or executive coach, or join a networking |
| give speeches, apologize for our mistakes and show | | | | group for practice. |
| good sportsmanship. Sometimes we hated it; later | | | | Don't:o If you're introverted...don't try to convince a |
| we admitted we needed it. Now with so many other | | | | world of extroverts (the majority of the population) |
| issues drowning parents and teachers the | | | | that they need to be like you and that social skills |
| development of social skills has fallen off the radar. | | | | shouldn't matter. This will be a waste of your time |
| The same situation exists in adult education, where | | | | and sound like "sour grapes" to those around you.o |
| the focus on being "job ready" has become so | | | | Point out every mistake others make. For example, |
| intense that many basics are being ignored. | | | | you don't need to correct grammar in a casual |
| No matter how sophisticated we believe we are, and | | | | conversation. Save your critical eye for final copies of |
| no matter how focused on technology the research | | | | important documents and key presentations.o Tell |
| tells us that those old fashioned lessons on getting | | | | everyone over and over again about your impressive |
| along still matter. Studies show us over and over | | | | education and credentials. If people really want to |
| again that people would rather work with someone | | | | know about your background they will ask.o Stay |
| they like, even if that person is incompetent. And by | | | | holed up in your office for days at a time without |
| now we have all heard that "people quit bosses, not | | | | "socializing" with your coworkers. Even if you are |
| jobs". So understanding what makes you likable and | | | | swamped with work, make time to say hello to |
| being able to get along matters, even after we grow | | | | people in the office. Your concentration on your job |
| up and leave the play ground. Below are a few tips | | | | could be misinterpreted as standoffish or antisocial |
| for those who have trouble getting started on this | | | | behavior. |
| journey. | | | | Remember: |
| Do:o Face the fact that social skills matter even in | | | | You want to be liked for positive attributes like being |
| business. You may think it's not fair; you may be | | | | approachable, honest and easy to work with. Don't |
| introverted and wish people would just leave you | | | | sacrifice your professional reputation or personal |
| alone, but the society we live in values the ability to | | | | ethics in the name of being liked. Petty theft, cooking |
| "work and play well with others".o Pay attention | | | | the books or turning a blind eye to dangerous |
| when people talk to you. Look up from your desk or | | | | behavior at work might make you popular with |
| computer screen and make eye contact. Listen and | | | | certain types of workers...but these behaviors will |
| respond to questions.o Smile and show interest in | | | | always come back to bite you later. |
| your coworkers and colleagues. You don't have to | | | | |