interpersonal skills critical thinking

Critical Thinking and Effective Communication: Enhancing Interpersonal Skills for Success

In today’s fast-paced world, effective communication and critical thinking have become increasingly important skills for both personal and professional success. Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze situations, gather information, and make sound judgments, while effective communication involves not only conveying ideas clearly but also actively listening and responding to others. These two crucial abilities are intertwined, as critical thinking often mediates information processing, leading to a more comprehensive understanding and ultimately enhancing communication.

Key Takeaways

Critical thinking fundamentals, skill and knowledge, analysis and evidence.

A key component of critical thinking is the ability to analyze information, which involves breaking down complex problems or arguments into manageable parts to understand their underlying structure [2] . Analyzing evidence is essential in order to ascertain the validity and credibility of the information, which leads to better decision-making. Critical thinkers must consider factors like the source’s credibility, the existence of potential biases, and any relevant areas of expertise before forming judgments.

Clarity of Thought

In summary, mastering critical thinking fundamentals, including skill and knowledge, analysis of evidence, and clarity of thought, is essential for effective communication. Cultivating these abilities will enable individuals to better navigate their personal and professional lives, fostering stronger, more efficient connections with others.

Importance of Critical Thinking

Workplace and leadership, decisions and problem-solving, confidence and emotions.

Critical thinking plays a significant role in managing one’s emotions and cultivating self-confidence. By engaging in rational and objective thinking, individuals can develop a clearer understanding of their own beliefs and values. This awareness can lead to increased self-assurance and the ability to effectively articulate one’s thoughts and opinions. Additionally, critical thinking can help individuals navigate emotionally-charged situations by promoting logical analysis and appropriate emotional responses. Ultimately, honing critical thinking skills can establish a strong foundation for effective communication and emotional intelligence.

Effective Communication

Verbal communication, nonverbal communication, visual communication.

Visual communication involves the use of visual aids such as images, graphs, charts, and diagrams to support or enhance verbal messages. It can help to make complex information more understandable and engaging. To maximize the effectiveness of visual communication, consider the following tips:

Critical Thinking Skills in Communication

Listening and analyzing.

Developing strong listening and analyzing skills is crucial for critical thinking in communication. This involves actively paying attention to what others are saying and sifting through the information to identify key points. Taking a step back to analyze and evaluate messages helps ensure a clear understanding of the topic.

Biases and Perspective

Considering other people’s perspectives allows you to view an issue from multiple angles, eventually leading to a more thorough understanding. Approaching communications with an open and receptive mind gives you a greater ability to relate and empathize with others, which in turn enhances the overall effectiveness of communication.

Problem-Solving and Questions

Ultimately, enhancing your critical thinking skills in communication leads to better understanding, stronger connections, and more effective communication. By combining active listening, awareness of biases and perspectives, and problem-solving through questioning, you can significantly improve your ability to navigate even the most complex communications with confidence and clarity.

Improving Critical Thinking and Communication

Methods and techniques.

By honing these skills, individuals can better navigate the complexities of modern life and develop more effective communication capabilities.

Problem-Solving Skills

By mastering this framework, individuals can tackle problems more effectively and communicate their solutions with clarity and confidence.

Staying on Point and Focused

By maintaining focus throughout your communication, you can improve your ability to think critically and communicate more effectively.

Teaching and Training Critical Thinking

Content and curriculum, instructors and teachers.

The role of instructors and teachers in promoting critical thinking cannot be underestimated. They should be trained and equipped with strategies to stimulate thinking, provoke curiosity, and encourage students to question assumptions. Additionally, they must create a learning environment that supports the development of critical thinking by being patient, open-minded, and accepting of diverse perspectives.

Engaging Conversations

Frequently asked questions, what are the essential aspects of critical thinking, how do communication skills impact problem-solving.

Effective communication skills are crucial in problem-solving, as they facilitate the exchange of information, ideas, and perspectives. Clear and concise communication helps ensure that all team members understand the problem, the proposed solutions, and their roles in the process. Additionally, strong listening skills enable better comprehension of others’ viewpoints and foster collaboration.

How does language influence critical thinking?

What strategies can enhance communication in critical thinking, what are the benefits of critical thinking in communication.

Critical thinking enhances communication by promoting clarity, objectivity, and logical reasoning. When we engage in critical thinking, we question assumptions, consider multiple viewpoints, and evaluate the strength of arguments. As a result, our communication becomes more thoughtful, persuasive, and effective at conveying the intended message .

How do critical thinking skills contribute to effective communication?

You may also like, fun critical thinking activities, what’s the difference between critical thinking and free thinking, critical thinking and goal setting, 10 essential skills for effective critical thinking: mastering analytical techniques, download this free ebook.

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Critical Thinking: Where to Begin

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If you are new to critical thinking or wish to deepen your conception of it, we recommend you review the content below and bookmark this page for future reference.

Our Conception of Critical Thinking...

"Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness..."

"Critical thinking is self-guided, self-disciplined thinking which attempts to reason at the highest level of quality in a fairminded way. People who think critically attempt, with consistent and conscious effort, to live rationally, reasonably, and empathically. They are keenly aware of the inherently flawed nature of human thinking when left unchecked. They strive to diminish the power of their egocentric and sociocentric tendencies. They use the intellectual tools that critical thinking offers – concepts and principles that enable them to analyze, assess, and improve thinking. They work diligently to develop the intellectual virtues of intellectual integrity, intellectual humility, intellectual civility, intellectual empathy, intellectual sense of justice and confidence in reason. They realize that no matter how skilled they are as thinkers, they can always improve their reasoning abilities and they will at times fall prey to mistakes in reasoning, human irrationality, prejudices, biases, distortions, uncritically accepted social rules and taboos, self-interest, and vested interest.

They strive to improve the world in whatever ways they can and contribute to a more rational, civilized society. At the same time, they recognize the complexities often inherent in doing so. They strive never to think simplistically about complicated issues and always to consider the rights and needs of relevant others. They recognize the complexities in developing as thinkers, and commit themselves to life-long practice toward self-improvement. They embody the Socratic principle: The unexamined life is not worth living , because they realize that many unexamined lives together result in an uncritical, unjust, dangerous world."

Why Critical Thinking?

The Problem:

Everyone thinks; it is our nature to do so. But much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, or down-right prejudiced. Yet the quality of our lives and that of what we produce, make, or build depends precisely on the quality of our thought. Shoddy thinking is costly, both in money and in quality of life. Excellence in thought, however, must be systematically cultivated.

A Brief Definition:

Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it. The Result: 

  A well-cultivated critical thinker:

• raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;
• gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively;
• comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;
• thinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and
• communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It requires rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to overcoming our native egocentrism and sociocentrism. Read more about our concept of critical thinking .

The Essential Dimensions of Critical Thinking

Our conception of critical thinking is based on the substantive approach developed by Dr. Richard Paul and his colleagues at the Center and Foundation for Critical Thinking over multiple decades. It is relevant to every subject, discipline, and profession, and to reasoning through the problems of everyday life. It entails five essential dimensions of critical thinking:

At the left is an overview of the first three dimensions. In sum, the elements or structures of thought enable us to "take our thinking apart" and analyze it. The intellectual standards are used to assess and evaluate the elements. The intellectual traits are dispositions of mind embodied by the fairminded critical thinker. To cultivate the mind, we need command of these essential dimensions, and we need to consistently apply them as we think through the many problems and issues in our lives.

The Elements of Reasoning and Intellectual Standards

To learn more about the elements of thought and how to apply the intellectual standards, check out our interactive model. Simply click on the link below, scroll to the bottom of the page, and explore the model with your mouse.

Why the Analysis of Thinking Is Important If you want to think well, you must understand at least the rudiments of thought, the most basic structures out of which all thinking is made. You must learn how to take thinking apart. Analyzing the Logic of a Subject When we understand the elements of reasoning, we realize that all subjects, all disciplines, have a fundamental logic defined by the structures of thought embedded within them. Therefore, to lay bare a subject’s most fundamental logic, we should begin with these questions:

Going Deeper...

The Critical Thinking Bookstore  

Our online bookstore houses numerous books and teacher's manuals , Thinker's Guides , videos , and other educational materials .  

Learn From Our Fellows and Scholars

Watch our Event Calendar , which provides an overview of all upcoming conferences and academies hosted by the Foundation for Critical Thinking. Clicking an entry on the Event Calendar will bring up that event's details, and the option to register. For those interested in online learning, the Foundation offers accredited online courses in critical thinking for both educators and the general public, as well as an online test for evaluating basic comprehension of critical thinking concepts . We are in the process of developing more online learning tools and tests to offer the community.  

Utilizing this Website

This website contains large amounts research and an online library of articles , both of which are freely available to the public. We also invite you to become a member of the Critical Thinking Community , where you will gain access to more tools and materials.  If you cannot locate a resource on a specific topic or concept, try searching for it using our Search Tool . The Search Tool is at the upper-right of every page on the website.

Essential Interpersonal Skills Everyone Should Develop

Sometimes called “soft skills” or “people skills,” these tools are key to creating and maintaining a successful career.

“She’s a people person.” You’ve heard a colleague, manager, friend or relative described that way and you know exactly what it means. This person eases through the workday like a soft summer breeze, feathers rarely ruffled, hackles seldom raised. 

13 Essential Interpersonal Skills

Communication, active listening, emotional intelligence, relational intelligence, decision making, collaboration, objective effectiveness, problem solving, conflict resolution, negotiation.

What’s their secret? Finely developed and assiduously deployed interpersonal skills. “Interpersonal skills are often referred to as ‘people skills’ or ‘social skills,’” said Roberta Matuson, president of Matuson Consulting and author of Can We Talk? Seven Principles for Managing Difficult Conversations at Work. 

What Are Interpersonal Skills? 

“In a nutshell, interpersonal skills are the skills that help us work well with others,” said John Waldmann, CEO and founder of Homebase , a San Francisco, California-based company that makes a time-tracking and employee scheduling app. “They’re the competencies we use to communicate, solve problems, be a part of a team, and move people and projects forward,” Waldmann said.  

“Developing your interpersonal skills, while it may seem touchy-feely, can be an important aspect of your career growth into leadership and roles with a greater scope of responsibility.” - Patrick Hayes, chief strategy officer, UncommonX, Chicago

Interpersonal skills come naturally to some people, but they can be developed and improved with time, experience and even training programs, Waldmann said. In the early days of Homebase, he said he found it “uncomfortable” to pitch the business. “But the more I practiced, the better I got,” he said. “Without taking the chance on developing those skills — communication, curiosity, empathy, adaptability and a lot of perseverance — Homebase wouldn’t be where it is today.”

Interpersonal skills work together as a package. It’s difficult to excel at one skill without excelling at the others. For instance, communication involves verbal and nonverbal skills as well as listening. Listening, “the ability to truly hear what people are saying,” Matuson said, is difficult without emotional intelligence , which is the ability to comprehend and handle emotions. Decision making and problem solving are entwined, as are collaboration and teamwork.

Employers value strong interpersonal skills because they help teams function more effectively,” said Jill Bowman, director of people at New York-based fintech company Octane . Interpersonal skills such as active listening, collaboration, empathy, team building, negotiation and leadership develop over time and can be improved with practice and training, Bowman said.

13 Interpersonal Skills Examples

“How we share ourselves in words and spoken thoughts, express through our physical reactions via body language and actively seek to understand others through listening are crucial to building other interpersonal/soft skills such as teamwork, conflict resolution and negotiation,” said Jamie Johnson, career advisor at the University of Phoenix . Well-developed communication skills create foundational people skills required to successfully interact with others and build fresh and positive personal and professional connections, Johnson added.

“Having the self confidence and conviction to make yourself heard allows you to increase collaboration with others and be an advocate in fostering your own success.” - Meighan (Meg) Newhouse, Inspirant Group, Naperville, Illinois

Communication requires both verbal and nonverbal skills. Verbal skills are the ability to articulate, in writing and while speaking, what you’re thinking, what you need and what you want to contribute, said Meighan (Meg) Newhouse, CEO and cofounder at Inspirant Group , a management consulting company based in Naperville, Illinois. 

“Having the self confidence and conviction to make yourself heard allows you to increase collaboration with others and be an advocate in fostering your own success,” Newhouse said, adding that the best way to develop this skill is to push through fear and “just do it.” 

Nonverbal skills include making eye contact, proper body language (for instance, arms not crossed in a defensive stance) and gestures, all of which can make a difference in people feeling engaged and comfortable, Newhouse said. 

Ever talk to someone whose mind seems to be on everything but what you’re saying? Active listening means engaging with the person with whom you’re talking, not just listening with one ear as you formulate what to say in response.

Active listening is crucial in the workplace, where people must interact in order to overcome challenges, said Mike Grossman, CEO of GoodHire , a Redwood City, California-based company that runs background checks on prospective employees. Active listening involves nonverbal communication, including uncrossed arms, maintaining eye contact and leaning in toward the speaker, Grossman said. 

Strong active listening also means asking specific questions about what the speaker is saying, as well as verbally affirming that you’re paying attention without interrupting the speaker’s train of thought, Grossman said. “This conveys engagement and gives you a fundamentally deeper understanding of the topic being discussed,” he said. 

More on Soft Skills How to Advance Your Tech Career With Nontechnical Skills

Relational intelligence is the ability to successfully connect with people and build strong, long-lasting relationships, said Adam Bandelli , an organizational psychologist who has pioneered the concept and written a book, Relational Intelligence: The Five Essential Skills You Need to Build Life-Changing Relationships , about it. 

It’s the everything bagel of interpersonal skills, encompassing establishing rapport, understanding others, embracing individual differences, developing trust, cultivating influence and serving others.

• Establishing rapport requires making a strong first impression, finding similarities and common ground, and creating a safe and enjoyable space for people to have a positive connection.

• Understanding others requires “good self-awareness and EQ, being curious and inquisitive, and actively listening to others,” Bandelli said. “It’s about being intentional in putting in the time and energy to get to know people on a deep level.”

• Embracing individual differences means understanding and accepting that people might be different from you, and those differences, be they sexual orientation, gender, ethnicities, race, religion or socioeconomic background, are what makes teams strong. 

• Developing trust requires commitment, consistency, character, courage and integrity. “Leaders need to continually deposit into a bank account of trust to build a sense of camaraderie and commitment from their people,” Bandelli said, noting that employees tend to stay with companies when they have a sound relationship with leaders. Once trust is gained, “you can’t use it to manipulate, control or use people” he said. “Trust is not about controlling your people.”

• Cultivating influence means having a positive and meaningful impact on people, whether it’s teammates, direct reports or the entire organization. To develop this part of relational intelligence, find a mentor who has superb interpersonal skills, Bandelli said. 

• Practicing these five essential relational intelligence skills is about servant leadership. No matter their place on the organizational chart, “great leaders know that serving their people leads to higher levels of performance, goals and objectives are attained, KPIs are delivered, and organizations achieve great financial success and profitability,” Bandelli said.

Effectively responding to challenges and questions and offering well-thought-out and convincing evidence and responses is part of the interpersonal/soft skills tool bag, said Johnson of University of Phoenix. 

The art of persuasion is as much about gaining a new perspective as it is convincing someone to your side or “winning” an argument: “They may provide valuable insight into issues and may give you the ability to voice your thoughts and opinions in a situation that can provide another perspective,” Johnson said. 

You need emotional intelligence to manage and leverage your and other people’s emotions, said Donna McGeorge , a productivity coach based in Australia. “It is the ability to understand the way people feel and react, monitor your own state and to use this to make good judgments and to avoid or solve problems,” she said. Developing emotional intelligence builds strong workplace relationships that will help you and your team achieve your goals.

The building blocks of emotional intelligence are self regulation, which is managing your feelings, emotions and behavior in healthy ways, including adapting when necessary; self awareness, or knowing your strengths and weaknesses; other awareness, which is picking up emotional cues and group dynamics and having empathy for the needs of others; building and maintaining relationships via clear communication, McGeorge said.  

It’s how we identify and choose among alternatives and is closely related to problem solving, McGeorge said. Decision-making is far from the rational process we might believe it is, she added, citing a 2000 study by social psychologists Jennifer Lerner and Dacher Kelter. The two found that “fearful people made pessimistic judgments of future events and angry people made optimistic judgments,” the report said. “In other words, we are at risk of making dumb decisions when we are not in full control of our emotions,” McGeorge said. 

Information overload, which results in the illusion of knowledge, incomplete information, or even being under deadline pressure can result in poor decisions, McGeorge said. Lack of sleep, too, has a “tremendous impact” on decision-making, she said. Finally, being bombarded with decisions to make can result in decision fatigue, which can lead to poor decision-making. 

This is one of the interpersonal skills that really pulls together all the skills. Effective teamwork requires communication skills, the ability to support and respect teammates, the ability to think and learn out loud (for instance, “so what I hear you saying is...” or “if I understand you correctly, you’d like us to…”), and the ability to “listen, really listen,” McGeorge said. “Even better, listen with an intention to have your mind changed.” 

The benefits of effective teamwork stretch beyond accomplishing goals, she added. “When done right, there’s almost an alchemy of unique gifts, talents and skills that can create a competitive advantage and have people feel great about their work,” McGeorge said.

“Employers frequently want you to rely on and help others in order to achieve a common goal,” said Shiv Gupta, CEO of Incrementors , an inbound marketing company based in Sacramento, California. Collaboration means knowing when to step back and be supportive and when to take the lead. Collaboration is also entwined with teamwork. “As a successful team player, you should have a variety of the aforementioned talents, including empathy, respect, bargaining, and communication, as well as a positive attitude,” Gupta said. 

More on Interpersonal Skills How Interpersonal Skills Help You Be a Stronger Tech Player

This interpersonal skill combines assertion and the ability to say no, said Lisa Bahar , an adjunct professor of psychology at Pepperdine University, Malibu, California, and a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical counselor. 

An example of objective effectiveness in use would be describing a situation, expressing your feelings and opinions, asking for what you want, and then helping the other person understand that what you want benefits both of you. “This is not intended to be manipulative,” Bahar said. “There are also skills, when a person responds, which include being mindful of your objective and learning how to ignore attacks.”  

These skills depend on the ability to use analytical and creative thinking to find solutions, said Amy Zimmerman, chief people officer at Atlanta, Georgia-based digital payment system Relay Payments and cofounder of leadership consultancy PeopleCo . Analysis, persuasion, logical reasoning, persistence, brainstorming and decision-making are all skills required to effectively solve problems, she said. 

It’s a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among them. It’s a five-step process, starting with defining the source of the conflict, looking beyond the incident, requesting solutions, identifying solutions both sides can support, and reaching an agreement, Zimmerman said.

More on Soft Skills Why Engineers Should Sharpen Their Soft Skills Along With Their Technical Skills

This critical skill involves listening to the other party, understanding where they’re coming from as well as what’s important to them, said Andrea Ippolito, CEO and founder of Ithaca, New York-based SimpliFed , a telehealth platform focused on lactation, child nutrition and on-demand support for new parents. 

Successful negotiators identify the ZOPA, or zone of possible agreement, which is the common area on which both sides agree. “By understanding this zone, it allows you to meet somewhere in there for each party to accomplish what they need,” Ippolito said. 

High-quality negotiating skills help get internal and external stakeholders to buy into what you are trying to communicate, said Joe Vu, digital marketing manager at Fairport, New York-based QuickFi , maker of an app that simplifies business-equipment financing. “Using the right data insights and context can help strengthen your negotiation, and ultimately help you become a better communicator and leader,” he said. 

It’s accepting that other people can and will think and behave differently than you do. “Tolerance can be a challenge in the workplace because of individual disagreements or personal biases,” said Sam Cohen, founder of Gold Tree Consulting , a growth marketing agency based in Austin, Texas. Tolerance is acquired through exposure to different points of view and ways of thinking, and also with experience managing changes. “Change is imminent,” Cohen said, recommending meditation and practicing patience to hone tolerance. 

Why Are Interpersonal Skills Important?

Love makes the world go round, and interpersonal skills keep the workplace world spinning properly. Not only that: Interpersonal skills can make a tech professional a standout and help forge a promising career .

During his 27 years in tech, Patrick Hayes has developed, refined and used interpersonal skills as a way to influence outcomes and gain buy-in from others. “I have often been called a ‘people person,’ or someone who can get along well with others,” said Hayes, chief strategy officer at Chicago-based UncommonX , a SaaS-based cybersecurity firm.

Tech professionals, in his opinion, tend to be introverted and rely on facts, data and technical experience to reach decisions. “Developing your interpersonal skills, while it may seem touchy-feely, can be an important aspect of your career growth into leadership and roles with a greater scope of responsibility,” Hayes said. 

Interpersonal skills help soothe a variety of office issues, including disagreements, which can and will happen even in the happiest of workplaces. “Whatever the disagreement is, it’s important to separate the behavior from the individual,” said Hayes. ”As yourself, ‘why does the other person see things this way?’ You might not reach a mutually shared outcome, but this approach will provide the ability to focus on the issue and not the person,” he said.

More on Soft Skills 3 Often-Neglected Soft Skills for Developers to Know

How to Develop Your Interpersonal Skills

To be sure, some people are naturally charismatic and possess a full set of interpersonal skills. Others need to develop and refine interpersonal skills. Miriam Frankel, director of Thrive Group , a Passaic, New Jersey-based counseling center, offers nine tips for doing just that.

Think Positively

Every day, remind yourself of the good things about your life and your job. If you’re upset about a personal matter, set those feelings aside until after work. If you’re stressed about a work issue, look for the positive in the situation and try to build on that.

Control Your Emotions

Work isn’t the place to be overly emotional. Whether you’re extremely irritated, severely depressed or ecstatically happy, take a deep breath and tone your emotions down. Always express yourself in a calm, patient manner.

Acknowledge Others’ Expertise

One of the best ways to build trust at work is to let your co-workers know you appreciate their expertise. Ask for their help on projects and give credit where credit is due.

Show Genuine Interest in Your Colleagues

Make a point of getting to know what’s important to your co-workers. It will help solidify your relationships with them.

Find One Good Trait in Every Co-worker

Not all of us like every single person we work with but you can’t let personal preference get in the way of peak performance. If a colleague’s personality clashes completely with your own, the best way to handle the situation is by finding at least one good trait in that person — preferably something professional.

Practice Active Listening

Maintain eye contact with the speaker, nod your head, and repeat what they have said in your own words. The speaker will feel respected and you’re likely to be able to recall the conversation more easily afterwards.

Be Assertive

Be confident in your ability and opinions, and don’t be afraid to express your needs, as well as your limits.

Practice Empathy

Gain a well-rounded view of things by putting yourself in other people’s shoes. This will help you develop empathy for others, which in turn goes a long way in finding solutions that work for all involved.

Maintain Your Relationships

Connect with college friends and former colleagues on social media or through email; try to set up face-to-face meetings now and then. This shows your connections that you still value the relationship — and that can go a long way in helping you advance your career.

Interpersonal Skills and Impostor Syndrome

Some people might require more time to develop interpersonal skills; others, less. One group of professionals, surprisingly enough, might have highly developed personal skills, yet lack the confidence to recognize them.

That group? People with impostor syndrome — the belief that others think you’re smarter than you think you are.

Impostor syndrome is largely regarded as a professional negative. Yet new research by Basima A. Tewfik , assistant professor of work and organization studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, indicates that those who have “impostor thoughts” might be viewed by others as having better interpersonal skills.

In a paper forthcoming in the Academy of Management Journal , Tewfik “develops a model linking workplace impostor thoughts to other-perceived interpersonal effectiveness,” she writes in the abstract. She posits that people with more impostor thoughts are rated higher in interpersonal effectiveness “because such thoughts make them more other-oriented.”

Perceived interpersonal effectiveness “refers to how well others perceive that one cooperates and interacts with one’s environment,” Tewfik writes in the abstract. People with higher interpersonal effectiveness levels are those who create effective working relationships and relate well to others. 

Because accomplishing things at work increasingly involves interacting with others, having employees low in interpersonal effectiveness can cost workplaces millions of dollars in ill outcomes and mismanaged projects, she writes, citing colleagues’ research on the subject. 

Tewfik tested her theory in four studies with four groups: employees at an investment advisory firm, doctors-in-training and what she calls “two cross-industry sets of employees recruited online.” Members of each group were evaluated for workplace impostor thoughts and interpersonal effectiveness by various means. 

In one employee study, for instance, half of the employees were randomly assigned to recall a time at work in which they had impostor thoughts while the other half were randomly assigned to recall what they had for lunch that day. Employees were all then told to imagine that right after the experience they recalled, they got the chance to have an informal coffee chat with a hiring manager that could result in a promotion. Employees were offered the option of either asking or answering questions during this conversation. 

Tewfik found that those in the “impostor thoughts” group choose to ask more questions. As a result of this increased “other-focus,” hiring managers gave them higher interpersonal effectiveness scores.

In summary? Impostor syndrome might feel like a career liability, but can be a real asset when it comes to getting along in the workplace. And so can a toolbox of well-honed interpersonal skills.

Take a moment each day to perfect these essential skills. Your career will thank you for it.

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Collaborative Learning and Critical Thinking

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Cooperative learning ; Creative thinking ; Problem-solving

The term “collaborative learning” refers to an instruction method in which students at various performance levels work together in small groups toward a common goal. Collaborative learning is a relationship among learners that fosters positive interdependence, individual accountability, and interpersonal skills. “Critical thinking” involves asking appropriate questions, gathering and creatively sorting through relevant information, relating new information to existing knowledge, reexamining beliefs, reasoning logically, and drawing reliable and trustworthy conclusions.

Theoretical Background

The advent of revolutionary information and communication technologies has effected changes in the organizational infrastructure and altered the characteristics of the workplace putting an increased emphasis on teamwork and processes that require individuals to pool their resources and integrate specializations. The...

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American Philosophical Association. (1990). Critical thinking: A statement of expert consensus for purposes of educational assessment and instruction. ERIC document ED (pp. 315–423).

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Cooper, J., Prescott, S., Cook, L., Smith, L., Mueck, R., & Cuseo, J. (1990). Cooperative learning and college instruction: Effective use of student learning teams . Long Beach: California State University Foundation.

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Slavin, R. E. (1995). Cooperative learning: Theory, research, and practice (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

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What Are Interpersonal Skills? Top 8 With Examples, And Strategies to Improve

Written By : Bakkah

21 Jun 2024

Table of Content

Interpersonal Skills Definition

Types of interpersonal skills, examples of interpersonal skills, importance of interpersonal skills, interpersonal skills in the workplace, why are interpersonal skills important in the workplace, strategies to improve interpersonal skills in the workplace, popular articles.

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Interpersonal skills are the bedrock of effective communication, collaboration, and relationship-building within any workplace environment.

From active listening and empathy to conflict resolution and leadership, these skills form the foundation upon which successful teams and organizations are built.

In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, the ability to connect authentically, communicate clearly, and work harmoniously with others is essential for achieving organizational goals and driving sustainable growth.

In this article, we'll explore the definition of interpersonal skills, their importance in the workplace, and how they contribute to individual and organizational success.

Through examples and insights, we'll uncover the significance of nurturing these skills and the positive impact they have on workplace dynamics, productivity, and overall success.

Interpersonal skills are the abilities and behaviors that enable individuals to effectively interact, communicate, and build relationships with others. These skills encompass a range of capabilities, including verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution.

They are essential for facilitating collaboration, understanding, and mutual respect in both personal and professional settings.

These skills are critical for success in the workplace as they help individuals navigate social dynamics, work efficiently in teams, and foster a positive and productive environment.

Interpersonal skills include not only the ability to convey messages clearly and effectively but also the capacity to understand and respond to the emotions and needs of others, thereby building trust and rapport.

Interpersonal skills encompass a wide range of abilities that enable effective interaction and communication with others. They encompass various aspects such as communication, emotional intelligence, Conflict Resolution, empathy, teamwork, leadership, assertiveness, and adaptability.

These skills are vital for building healthy relationships both in personal and professional settings. Here is a breakdown of some key types of interpersonal skills:

1. Communication Skills

Communication skills encompass the ability to convey information effectively through verbal and non-verbal means, including speaking, listening, writing, and body language.

Effective communicators can articulate thoughts clearly, listen actively to others, ask clarifying questions, and adapt their communication style to suit the audience and context.

2. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions and those of others.

It involves self-awareness (understanding one's emotions and their impact), self-regulation (managing emotions effectively), social awareness (empathizing with others' emotions), and relationship management (navigating social interactions with empathy and diplomacy).

3. Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution skills involve the ability to manage and resolve conflicts constructively, aiming for mutually satisfactory outcomes while preserving relationships.

This includes techniques such as active listening, empathy, negotiation, compromise, problem-solving, and communication strategies that promote understanding and cooperation.

Empathy is the capacity to understand and share the feelings, perspectives, and experiences of others. It involves listening attentively, recognizing and validating others' emotions, and responding with compassion and understanding.

Empathetic individuals demonstrate genuine concern for others' well-being and can connect emotionally with them.

5. Assertiveness

Assertiveness is the ability to express thoughts, feelings, and needs openly and honestly while respecting the rights and opinions of others. Assertive individuals confidently communicate their boundaries, opinions, and preferences without being passive or aggressive. They advocate for themselves and others respectfully and constructively.

6. Teamwork and Collaboration

Teamwork skills involve working effectively with others to achieve common goals. This includes effective communication, cooperation, trust-building, conflict resolution, and sharing responsibilities and resources. 

Collaborative individuals contribute positively to team dynamics, leverage diverse perspectives and skills, and strive for collective success.

7. Leadership

Leadership skills encompass the ability to inspire and motivate others to achieve a shared vision or goal. Effective leaders demonstrate strong communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

They provide direction, support, and encouragement to team members, foster a positive work environment, and lead by example.

8. Adaptability

Adaptability skills involve being flexible and open to change and able to adjust to new situations, environments, and responsibilities with ease. Adaptability encompasses resilience, problem-solving, creativity, and a willingness to learn and grow.

Adaptable individuals embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and remain agile in the face of uncertainty.

These skills are fundamental for building positive relationships, fostering collaboration, navigating social interactions, and achieving personal and professional success. Developing and refining these interpersonal skills can enhance overall effectiveness, satisfaction, and fulfillment in various aspects of life.

Interpersonal skills play a vital role in fostering positive relationships and effective communication within the workplace. From collaboration to conflict resolution, these skills enable individuals to navigate various situations with finesse and professionalism.

Here are some examples of key interpersonal skills in the workplace:

1. Active Listening

Active listening goes beyond merely hearing what others say; it involves fully engaging with the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully.

This skill requires giving full attention, avoiding interruptions, and reflecting on what has been said. Active listeners can ask clarifying questions and provide feedback that shows they have understood the speaker’s point of view.

This fosters mutual respect and trust, essential for effective collaboration and problem-solving.

2. Self-awareness

Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand one's own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It involves being mindful of personal strengths, weaknesses, and motivations.

In the workplace, self-aware individuals can identify how their actions impact others and take responsibility for their contributions to team dynamics. They proactively seek feedback to enhance self-understanding and continuously strive for personal growth and development.

Ultimately, self-awareness enables individuals to make informed decisions and effectively navigate interpersonal relationships in professional settings.

3. Critical thinking

Critical thinking involves analyzing information, evaluating evidence, and making reasoned judgments. In the workplace, it enables employees to assess complex situations, identify underlying issues, and develop innovative solutions.

Through logical reasoning and problem-solving, critical thinkers contribute to informed decision-making and organizational success.

Emphasizing evidence-based thinking and considering multiple perspectives, critical thinking fosters a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability.

4. Decision-Making

Decision-making involves evaluating available options, considering potential outcomes, and selecting the best course of action. Effective decision-makers gather relevant information, analyze data, and weigh the pros and cons before making a choice.

They consider both short-term and long-term consequences and seek input from stakeholders when appropriate.

Decision-making skills are essential in leadership roles and can influence organizational success and outcomes. Strong decision-makers demonstrate critical thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to make timely and well-informed decisions.

5. Mentorship

Mentorship demonstrates empathy and relationship management by fostering supportive connections between experienced professionals and mentees.

Effective mentors utilize active listening and communication skills to understand mentees' needs and provide guidance and feedback.

Through mentorship, individuals develop professionally and personally, benefiting from the wisdom, expertise, and encouragement of their mentors. This collaborative relationship exemplifies the power of interpersonal skills in nurturing growth and success.

6. Negotiation

Negotiation involves finding mutually beneficial solutions through communication and compromise. It requires active listening, understanding the needs and perspectives of all parties involved, and creatively exploring options to reach an agreement.

Effective negotiators remain flexible, assertive, and focused on achieving outcomes that satisfy both their objectives and those of the other parties. Successful negotiation fosters positive relationships and promotes cooperation in achieving shared goals.

7. Cooperation

Cooperation in the workplace involves actively participating in group efforts to achieve common goals. It requires sharing ideas, resources, and responsibilities with colleagues while respecting their contributions.

Effective cooperation fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment where individuals collaborate harmoniously and leverage each other's strengths.

By working together cooperatively, teams can achieve greater productivity, innovation, and success.

7. Positive Attitude

A positive attitude involves maintaining an optimistic and constructive outlook, even in challenging situations. Individuals with a positive attitude are generally more resilient, motivated, and able to inspire others.

This skill contributes to a pleasant work environment and can significantly enhance team morale and productivity.

A positive attitude also encourages a solution-focused approach to problems and fosters a culture of encouragement and support.

8. Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is the ability to identify issues, analyze potential solutions, and implement effective strategies. This skill often involves collaboration and critical thinking, as well as the ability to consider various perspectives and ideas.

Strong problem-solvers can navigate complex challenges and develop innovative solutions that benefit the organization. This skill is crucial for driving progress and achieving long-term success.

9. Networking

Networking is the ability to build and maintain professional relationships that provide support, opportunities, and resources. This skill involves engaging with colleagues, industry peers, and other stakeholders through formal and informal interactions.

Effective networking can open doors to new opportunities, enhance collaboration, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and ideas. Networking also involves maintaining these relationships over time, ensuring mutual benefits and continued growth.

Developing these interpersonal skills can significantly enhance your effectiveness and success in the workplace, leading to better collaboration, higher job satisfaction, and overall career advancement.

Interpersonal skills are of paramount importance in both personal and professional contexts. They are vital for effective communication, relationship-building, conflict resolution, teamwork, leadership, and overall success in both personal and professional spheres.

Here is a detailed discussion of the Importance of Interpersonal Skills:

1. Effective Communication

Interpersonal skills enable individuals to communicate clearly and effectively with others. This is crucial for conveying ideas, instructions, feedback, and information accurately, minimizing misunderstandings, and promoting productivity.

2. Building Relationships

Strong interpersonal skills help in establishing and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, clients, customers, and other stakeholders.

Building rapport and trust fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment, leading to higher morale and job satisfaction.

Interpersonal skills equip individuals with the ability to resolve conflicts and disagreements constructively. By understanding others' perspectives and finding mutually acceptable solutions, conflicts can be managed effectively, preventing them from escalating and disrupting productivity.

4. Teamwork and Collaboration

Effective interpersonal skills are essential for successful teamwork and collaboration. They enable individuals to work harmoniously with others, contributing their strengths, communicating openly, and valuing diverse perspectives to achieve common goals.

5. Leadership Development

Interpersonal skills are integral to effective leadership. Leaders with strong interpersonal skills can inspire and motivate their team members, build consensus, and foster a positive work culture based on trust, respect, and collaboration.

6. Enhanced Customer Service

In customer-facing roles, interpersonal skills are crucial for providing excellent service. By understanding customers' needs, actively listening to their concerns, and communicating empathetically, employees can deliver exceptional experiences that build loyalty and satisfaction.

7. Career Advancement

Individuals with strong interpersonal skills are often more successful in their careers. These skills are highly valued by employers, as they contribute to effective teamwork, leadership, client relations, and overall organizational success.

8. Stress Reduction

Good interpersonal skills can help reduce stress in the workplace by promoting positive interactions and fostering supportive relationships. When individuals feel understood, respected, and supported by their colleagues, they are better equipped to handle challenges and setbacks.

9. Adaptability and Resilience

Interpersonal skills enable individuals to adapt to changing circumstances, navigate interpersonal dynamics, and bounce back from setbacks. This resilience is essential for thriving in dynamic work environments and coping with uncertainty and change.

10. Personal Development

Developing interpersonal skills contributes to personal growth and self-awareness. It allows individuals to better understand themselves and others, cultivate empathy and emotional intelligence, and continuously improve their communication and relationship-building abilities.

In essence, the cultivation of strong interpersonal skills not only enriches the workplace environment but also propels organizational success. Investing in the development of these skills can lead to greater fulfillment, resilience, and achievement in life.

Interpersonal skills are the cornerstone of success in the workplace, facilitating effective communication, collaboration, and relationship-building among colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.

From active listening and empathy to conflict resolution and leadership, these skills enable individuals to navigate the complexities of interpersonal interactions with finesse and professionalism.

In a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, interpersonal skills empower employees to build rapport, resolve conflicts, and foster a positive and inclusive culture that enhances teamwork and productivity.

In today's interconnected world, the importance of interpersonal skills cannot be overstated. Whether in face-to-face interactions or virtual communication channels, the ability to connect authentically, communicate clearly, and work harmoniously with others is essential for success.

By investing in the development of interpersonal skills, organizations can cultivate a workforce that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and mutual respect, driving sustainable growth and achieving strategic objectives in the ever-evolving landscape of the modern workplace.

Interpersonal skills are essential in the workplace because they facilitate effective communication, collaboration, and relationship-building among colleagues and stakeholders.

Clear and empathetic communication fosters mutual understanding, minimizes misunderstandings, and ensures that tasks and objectives are conveyed accurately. This leads to improved productivity, efficiency, and overall team performance.

Additionally, strong interpersonal skills contribute to a positive work environment where colleagues feel respected, valued, and supported.

This enhances morale, reduces conflicts, and promotes a sense of camaraderie and unity within the team, ultimately leading to higher job satisfaction and employee retention.

Moreover, interpersonal skills are crucial for leadership and career advancement. Leaders who possess strong interpersonal skills can inspire and motivate their teams, build trust, and foster collaboration toward achieving organizational goals.

They can effectively navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, resolve conflicts, and cultivate a culture of open communication and mutual respect.

Furthermore, individuals who demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills are often perceived as more competent and trustworthy, which can lead to greater opportunities for career growth and advancement.

Overall, interpersonal skills are integral to success in the workplace, enabling individuals and teams to thrive in today's dynamic and interconnected business environment. 

Improving interpersonal skills in the workplace is crucial for fostering positive relationships, effective collaboration, and overall productivity. Here are some strategies to enhance interpersonal skills in the workplace:

Pay close attention to what others are saying without interrupting. Reflect on their words and respond appropriately. This shows respect and empathy.

2. Build Rapport

Take the time to get to know your colleagues on a personal level. Show genuine interest in their lives and experiences, and find common ground to connect with them.

3. Body Language Awareness

Pay attention to your body language and how it impacts communication. Maintain an open and welcoming posture, make eye contact, and use gestures to convey understanding and engagement.

4. Feedback and Recognition

Request feedback from trusted colleagues or supervisors on your interpersonal skills. Use their input to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments.

5. Empower Others

Encourage and support your colleagues to voice their opinions, share ideas, and take on leadership roles. Creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued fosters stronger relationships and collaboration.

6. Flexibility and Adaptability

Be open to change and willing to adapt to different personalities, work styles, and situations.

7. Conflict Resolution Workshops

Participate in workshops or training sessions focused on conflict resolution, active listening, or other interpersonal skills. These can provide valuable insights and practical techniques.

8. Practice and Reflection

Regularly practice interpersonal skills in various situations, and reflect on your interactions to identify areas for improvement.

9. Continuous Learning

Stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in interpersonal communication and relationship-building. Attend seminars, read books, or take online courses to enhance your skills.

10. Lead by Example

Serve as a role model for effective interpersonal communication by demonstrating empathy, active listening, and respect in your interactions with others.

By incorporating these strategies into your professional development efforts, you can strengthen your interpersonal skills and build stronger, more positive relationships with your colleagues.

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Explore our range of professional certifications that cover the essential topic of interpersonal skills in the workplace. Our project management courses, such as Project Management Professional (PMP) , Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) , and Project Management Institute Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) , equip you with the communication and collaboration skills needed to lead successful projects and teams.

Additionally, our risk management courses, including Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) and Management of Risk (MoR) , provide valuable insights into managing interpersonal dynamics and resolving conflicts in high-stakes environments.

Furthermore, our ITIL® 4 Foundation , DevOps Fundamentals , and COBIT® 5 Foundation courses emphasize effective communication and collaboration practices within IT and digital service management contexts.

For those in the supply chain, production, and logistics roles, certifications such as Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and Certified in Logistics, Transportation & Distribution (CLTD) offer valuable training in interpersonal skills relevant to team coordination and stakeholder management.

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Interpersonal skills are vital in the workplace for effective communication, collaboration, and relationship-building. They foster mutual understanding, minimize conflicts, and enhance productivity.

Strong interpersonal skills contribute to a positive work environment, where colleagues feel respected and supported. They are essential for leadership, career advancement, and overall success in today's dynamic business landscape.

Investing in the development of these skills is crucial for building strong teams and achieving organizational goals.

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How to build critical thinking skills for better decision-making

It’s simple in theory, but tougher in practice – here are five tips to get you started.

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Have you heard the riddle about two coins that equal thirty cents, but one of them is not a nickel? What about the one where a surgeon says they can’t operate on their own son?

Those brain teasers tap into your critical thinking skills. But your ability to think critically isn’t just helpful for solving those random puzzles – it plays a big role in your career. 

An impressive 81% of employers say critical thinking carries a lot of weight when they’re evaluating job candidates. It ranks as the top competency companies consider when hiring recent graduates (even ahead of communication ). Plus, once you’re hired, several studies show that critical thinking skills are highly correlated with better job performance.

So what exactly are critical thinking skills? And even more importantly, how do you build and improve them? 

What is critical thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to evaluate facts and information, remain objective, and make a sound decision about how to move forward.

Does that sound like how you approach every decision or problem? Not so fast. Critical thinking seems simple in theory but is much tougher in practice, which helps explain why 65% of employers say their organization has a need for more critical thinking. 

In reality, critical thinking doesn’t come naturally to a lot of us. In order to do it well, you need to:

• Remain open-minded and inquisitive, rather than relying on assumptions or jumping to conclusions
• Ask questions and dig deep, rather than accepting information at face value
• Keep your own biases and perceptions in check to stay as objective as possible
• Rely on your emotional intelligence to fill in the blanks and gain a more well-rounded understanding of a situation

So, critical thinking isn’t just being intelligent or analytical. In many ways, it requires you to step outside of yourself, let go of your own preconceived notions, and approach a problem or situation with curiosity and fairness.

It’s a challenge, but it’s well worth it. Critical thinking skills will help you connect ideas, make reasonable decisions, and solve complex problems.

7 critical thinking skills to help you dig deeper

Critical thinking is often labeled as a skill itself (you’ll see it bulleted as a desired trait in a variety of job descriptions). But it’s better to think of critical thinking less as a distinct skill and more as a collection or category of skills. 

To think critically, you’ll need to tap into a bunch of your other soft skills. Here are seven of the most important. 

Open-mindedness

It’s important to kick off the critical thinking process with the idea that anything is possible. The more you’re able to set aside your own suspicions, beliefs, and agenda, the better prepared you are to approach the situation with the level of inquisitiveness you need. 

That means not closing yourself off to any possibilities and allowing yourself the space to pull on every thread – yes, even the ones that seem totally implausible.

As Christopher Dwyer, Ph.D. writes in a piece for Psychology Today , “Even if an idea appears foolish, sometimes its consideration can lead to an intelligent, critically considered conclusion.” He goes on to compare the critical thinking process to brainstorming . Sometimes the “bad” ideas are what lay the foundation for the good ones. 

Open-mindedness is challenging because it requires more effort and mental bandwidth than sticking with your own perceptions. Approaching problems or situations with true impartiality often means:

• Practicing self-regulation : Giving yourself a pause between when you feel something and when you actually react or take action.
• Challenging your own biases: Acknowledging your biases and seeking feedback are two powerful ways to get a broader understanding. 

Critical thinking example

In a team meeting, your boss mentioned that your company newsletter signups have been decreasing and she wants to figure out why.

At first, you feel offended and defensive – it feels like she’s blaming you for the dip in subscribers. You recognize and rationalize that emotion before thinking about potential causes. You have a hunch about what’s happening, but you will explore all possibilities and contributions from your team members.

Observation

Observation is, of course, your ability to notice and process the details all around you (even the subtle or seemingly inconsequential ones). Critical thinking demands that you’re flexible and willing to go beyond surface-level information, and solid observation skills help you do that.

Your observations help you pick up on clues from a variety of sources and experiences, all of which help you draw a final conclusion. After all, sometimes it’s the most minuscule realization that leads you to the strongest conclusion.

Over the next week or so, you keep a close eye on your company’s website and newsletter analytics to see if numbers are in fact declining or if your boss’s concerns were just a fluke. 

Critical thinking hinges on objectivity. And, to be objective, you need to base your judgments on the facts – which you collect through research. You’ll lean on your research skills to gather as much information as possible that’s relevant to your problem or situation. 

Keep in mind that this isn’t just about the quantity of information – quality matters too. You want to find data and details from a variety of trusted sources to drill past the surface and build a deeper understanding of what’s happening. 

You dig into your email and website analytics to identify trends in bounce rates, time on page, conversions, and more. You also review recent newsletters and email promotions to understand what customers have received, look through current customer feedback, and connect with your customer support team to learn what they’re hearing in their conversations with customers.

The critical thinking process is sort of like a treasure hunt – you’ll find some nuggets that are fundamental for your final conclusion and some that might be interesting but aren’t pertinent to the problem at hand.

That’s why you need analytical skills. They’re what help you separate the wheat from the chaff, prioritize information, identify trends or themes, and draw conclusions based on the most relevant and influential facts. 

It’s easy to confuse analytical thinking with critical thinking itself, and it’s true there is a lot of overlap between the two. But analytical thinking is just a piece of critical thinking. It focuses strictly on the facts and data, while critical thinking incorporates other factors like emotions, opinions, and experiences. 

As you analyze your research, you notice that one specific webpage has contributed to a significant decline in newsletter signups. While all of the other sources have stayed fairly steady with regard to conversions, that one has sharply decreased.

You decide to move on from your other hypotheses about newsletter quality and dig deeper into the analytics. 

One of the traps of critical thinking is that it’s easy to feel like you’re never done. There’s always more information you could collect and more rabbit holes you could fall down.

But at some point, you need to accept that you’ve done your due diligence and make a decision about how to move forward. That’s where inference comes in. It’s your ability to look at the evidence and facts available to you and draw an informed conclusion based on those. 

When you’re so focused on staying objective and pursuing all possibilities, inference can feel like the antithesis of critical thinking. But ultimately, it’s your inference skills that allow you to move out of the thinking process and onto the action steps. 

You dig deeper into the analytics for the page that hasn’t been converting and notice that the sharp drop-off happened around the same time you switched email providers.

After looking more into the backend, you realize that the signup form on that page isn’t correctly connected to your newsletter platform. It seems like anybody who has signed up on that page hasn’t been fed to your email list. 

Communication

3 ways to improve your communication skills at work

If and when you identify a solution or answer, you can’t keep it close to the vest. You’ll need to use your communication skills to share your findings with the relevant stakeholders – like your boss, team members, or anybody who needs to be involved in the next steps.

Your analysis skills will come in handy here too, as they’ll help you determine what information other people need to know so you can avoid bogging them down with unnecessary details. 

In your next team meeting, you pull up the analytics and show your team the sharp drop-off as well as the missing connection between that page and your email platform. You ask the web team to reinstall and double-check that connection and you also ask a member of the marketing team to draft an apology email to the subscribers who were missed. 

Problem-solving

Critical thinking and problem-solving are two more terms that are frequently confused. After all, when you think critically, you’re often doing so with the objective of solving a problem.

The best way to understand how problem-solving and critical thinking differ is to think of problem-solving as much more narrow. You’re focused on finding a solution.

In contrast, you can use critical thinking for a variety of use cases beyond solving a problem – like answering questions or identifying opportunities for improvement. Even so, within the critical thinking process, you’ll flex your problem-solving skills when it comes time to take action. 

Once the fix is implemented, you monitor the analytics to see if subscribers continue to increase. If not (or if they increase at a slower rate than you anticipated), you’ll roll out some other tests like changing the CTA language or the placement of the subscribe form on the page.

5 ways to improve your critical thinking skills

Beyond the buzzwords: Why interpersonal skills matter at work

Think critically about critical thinking and you’ll quickly realize that it’s not as instinctive as you’d like it to be. Fortunately, your critical thinking skills are learned competencies and not inherent gifts – and that means you can improve them. Here’s how:

• Practice active listening: Active listening helps you process and understand what other people share. That’s crucial as you aim to be open-minded and inquisitive.
• Ask open-ended questions: If your critical thinking process involves collecting feedback and opinions from others, ask open-ended questions (meaning, questions that can’t be answered with “yes” or “no”). Doing so will give you more valuable information and also prevent your own biases from influencing people’s input.
• Scrutinize your sources: Figuring out what to trust and prioritize is crucial for critical thinking. Boosting your media literacy and asking more questions will help you be more discerning about what to factor in. It’s hard to strike a balance between skepticism and open-mindedness, but approaching information with questions (rather than unquestioning trust) will help you draw better conclusions. 
• Play a game: Remember those riddles we mentioned at the beginning? As trivial as they might seem, games and exercises like those can help you boost your critical thinking skills. There are plenty of critical thinking exercises you can do individually or as a team . 
• Give yourself time: Research shows that rushed decisions are often regrettable ones. That’s likely because critical thinking takes time – you can’t do it under the wire. So, for big decisions or hairy problems, give yourself enough time and breathing room to work through the process. It’s hard enough to think critically without a countdown ticking in your brain. 

Critical thinking really is critical

The ability to think critically is important, but it doesn’t come naturally to most of us. It’s just easier to stick with biases, assumptions, and surface-level information. 

But that route often leads you to rash judgments, shaky conclusions, and disappointing decisions. So here’s a conclusion we can draw without any more noodling: Even if it is more demanding on your mental resources, critical thinking is well worth the effort.

Advice, stories, and expertise about work life today.

The Relationship Between Critical Thinking and Interpersonal Skills

• September 2004
• The Clinical Supervisor 22(2):3-19

• University of Maryland, Baltimore

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10 Important Interpersonal Skills (With Examples)

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What are interpersonal skills in the workplace, and why are they important? Interpersonal skills relate to how you interact and communicate with people. They’re also known as soft skills, emotional intelligence, or people skills. This article will cover interpersonal skills examples, the best interpersonal skills for a resume, and how to improve your interpersonal skills. Whether you’re a job seeker trying to highlight your soft skills or you’re trying to improve your relationships, interpersonal skills are essential in the modern workplace. Key Takeaways: Examples of interpersonal skills include communication, empathy, and active listening. Use the experience section on your resume to show quantifiable achievements you owe to your interpersonal skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to respond to interview questions about your interpersonal skills. In This Article    Skip to section What are interpersonal skills? Interpersonal skills examples Interpersonal skills on a resume Interpersonal skills on a cover letter Interpersonal skills during an interview How to improve your interpersonal skills Interpersonal skills FAQ Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs Show More What are interpersonal skills?

Interpersonal skills are skills that relate to your ability to interact and collaborate with other people. Examples of interpersonal skills range from simply having a good attitude to managing conflict well.

Interpersonal skills are also known as soft skills, in opposition to hard skills, which relate to your on-the-job technical expertise and are learned through instruction.

Soft skills, on the other hand, relate to the intangible qualities and personality traits that make you a great employee. Managers and recruiters value interpersonal skills highly because they’re harder to teach.

Interpersonal skills examples

Interpersonal skills’ definition is simple enough, but to see interpersonal skills’ meaning more clearly, here are examples of the most important ones:

Communication . This is one of the most valuable interpersonal skills in the workplace. Communicating clearly and effectively with your coworkers and clients is vital to the organization’s (and your) success.

This goes beyond crafting engaging presentations and well-written memos. Good communication skills include knowing when to send an email and when to meet face-to-face, sharing your concerns while remaining respectful, and understanding when to speak up and when to save it for later.

The nuances of your communication style should adjust to fit the culture of your workplace, but having a general understanding of how to interact with others well will help projects run smoothly, keep you in good graces, and show that you can take on more responsibility in the future.

Public speaking

Noverbal communication

Constructive criticism

Writing emails

Leadership. Having good leadership skills means more than being bossy. It means taking the initiative, leading by example, looking out for your team and the organization, and being willing to have tough conversations.

Even if you aren’t technically in a leadership position, hiring managers want to know that if they put you in charge of a project or team, you’ll be able to lead it well. They also want to know that you aren’t just a yes-man or lazy worker, but that you will lead by example through hard work and ethical behavior.

People/project management

Instruction

Active listening . You’ve probably been told, “You have two ears for listening and one mouth for speaking,” at some point in your life. Well, this is a skill that remains important from Kindergarten through adulthood.

Being a good listener involves more than just not talking. Employers want to know that you’ll not only hear them, but that you’ll do what they ask you to do. They also want to know that you’ll listen to customers and colleagues as they bring up concerns and ideas.

Taking direction

Responding to constructive criticism

Giving feedback

Teamwork . Even if you’re the only person in your department, you’re still a part of a larger organization, and you need to be able to show that you’re willing to support it.

Being a team player doesn’t mean you have to roll over and neglect your personal needs, but you do need to give your team your best effort and be willing to make some personal sacrifices for the good of the group.

Collaboration

Team-building

Selflessness

Conflict management . No matter where you work, chances are you’ll encounter conflict, whether directly involving you or not. Knowing how to manage it well is a skill many companies look for when they’re hiring.

Your ability to be assertive, come up with creative solutions and compromises, and look out for the interests of all parties involved in the conflict is invaluable.

While this is one of the most difficult interpersonal skills to master, it’s also one of the most teachable, as several classes and resources are available to help you learn how to do this well.

Problem-solving

Conflict resolution

Empathy . Whether you’re working with customer complaints or just coordinating with your coworkers, being able to put yourself in another person’s shoes is vital.

Before you get defensive about your boss’s complicated new formatting requirements or a customer complaint, take a moment to look at the situation through their eyes.

Maybe the extra five minutes it takes to format your report differently will save your boss hours of work, or maybe the customer is on a tight budget and really needed your product to come through for them, and it didn’t.

This skill will help you be enjoyable to work with and make it easier for you to work with difficult people.

Sensitivity

Helpfulness

Desire to grow. Most good managers want to help you succeed at your job, and great managers want to help you grow into new roles and responsibilities. They can’t do that if you get defensive every time they try to help you improve, though.

Being coachable is vital to being a good employee and coworker, as well as opening doors for future roles and promotions. Show that you want to learn by seeking out relevant training opportunities, asking for feedback on your work, and thanking those who give you constructive criticism .

Self-motivated

Negotiation . Like conflict management, negotiation requires assertiveness and creative problem-solving. Whether you need to negotiate with clients or just help resolve conflicts within the office, having this skill can help you stand out as an employee or manager .

Negotiating well can also help you individually when it comes to your job, especially if you create a lot of sales or contracts.

Thankfully, this skill is relatively easy to find practical training for.

Positive attitude. No one likes a complainer, especially if you have to work with them consistently. You can easily be the bright spot in someone’s day by accepting assignments and facing obstacles with a smile on your face.

You can and should still be realistic, because over-the-top optimism can be just as annoying as constant complaining, but responding graciously, no matter how you feel, will set a pleasant tone for the whole office. It helps you feel better about the situation as well.

Friendliness

Dependability . It may sound obvious, but your employer should feel like they can trust you to do your job. This includes showing up on time and giving consistently good results. It means that when you say you’ll spot-check that report, you’ll do it, and you’ll do it thoroughly and promptly.

You want to be someone your boss and coworkers can rely on to make their jobs easier.

Consistency

Punctuality

Interpersonal skills on a resume

When it comes time to showcase these skills during the job application process, start by incorporating them throughout your resume . You can list them under the “skills” section or find ways to weave them into your “experience” sections. Check the job description and include the listed skills, as this can often get you through the initial screening.

Interpersonal skills in your resume’s skills section . You might naturally think the skills section is the best place to include your interpersonal skills. While you’re correct to think this makes a good home for them, we don’t recommend simply listing “Interpersonal Skills.”

Interpersonal skills in your resume’s work experience section . Now is when the “show, don’t tell” mantra comes into play. Instead of simply listing your tasks with phrases like “Organized X event” or “Communicated Y data,” look for professional accomplishments you owe to your interpersonal skills.

Interpersonal skills in your resume’s summary statement . You can also lead your resume with a vibrant picture of yourself as possessing top-notch interpersonal skills. Something like “Compassionate caretaker with 5+ years experience helping patients understand, cope with, and manage the stress of illness” helps sell both your experience and your value as an interpersonal wizard.

No matter where you choose to incorporate your interpersonal skills into your resume, be sure to tailor your qualifications to the job. Read the job description carefully and note which interpersonal skills are mentioned multiple times or otherwise emphasized.

Then, look for ways to honestly and naturally use that same language in your resume.

Interpersonal skills on a cover letter

When you write your cover letter , feature your top one or two skills that make you an ideal candidate for the position you’re applying for. Don’t just say you have them; show how you’ve used them in the past and how they’d help you with this position.

A cover letter is a great place to add personality to your resume’s technical qualifications. In short, it’s a great opportunity to show that you’re friendly, personable, and able to communicate clearly via the written word.

As always, try to bring in great results that you owe to your interpersonal skills. For example, if you’re applying for a customer service role, you might write about a time when your positive attitude and solutions-oriented mindset brought about a great resolution that helped create a happy return customer.

Interpersonal skills during an interview

Before your interview, go through this list and think of one or two anecdotes for each skill that demonstrates your abilities. If you do have a weak spot, explain what you’re doing to grow in that area.

This is also a great answer to the ever-popular interview question , “What’s your greatest weakness?” Hiring managers know that no one is perfect, and you have a better chance of being hired if you show that you’re self-aware and actively working to grow.

Many questions that relate to your interpersonal skills are behavioral interview questions that ask you to describe an example of your past behavior. They often start with phrases like “tell me about a time” or “give me an example of a time when.”

The best method for answering these common interview questions is to use the STAR method . STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result, and it’s a great way to organize short stories that pack a punch. Let’s take a look at a couple of common interview questions designed to test your interpersonal skills to the test, as well as example answers using the STAR method:

At my last job at XYZ Inc., I had a coworker who would often turn in work late and fail to communicate their progress with teammates. We all did our best to work around the problem, but eventually, it became too much. I stepped up and had a frank conversation with our coworker about how our projects were being delayed because of him and asked if we could work out a better communication system. We agreed to morning meetings every other day to establish how far along he was and get him resources if he was stuck. Overall, the increased accountability led to fewer delays, and the delays that did happen were much more manageable, since we were more in-tune with his progress.

The seasonal rush is a big thing in retail and, sadly, many customers become irate with all the stress of the holidays. Last year, a few days before Christmas, a customer came in with a jacket she had purchased but turned out to be the wrong size. She wanted it fixed before Christmas day, but we were out of stock of her desired size, and our website was also showing out of stock. She became really upset, but I looked into creative solutions. I found that one of our outlets had the same jacket from the previous season in the size she wanted it. Not only did she get the product she wanted, but at half the cost!

How to improve your interpersonal skills

You’ll use these interpersonal skills for the rest of your life, so it’s worth putting in the effort to develop them. Get in the habit of looking for ways to hone your strengths and improve your weaknesses, as this will help you be sure you’re always growing and make you an even more valuable asset to your employer. Here are some ways to do this:

Ask for honest feedback. Find a trusted coworker or manager and ask them which areas you are naturally gifted in and where you might need to improve.

Find a class or workshop. There is no shortage of articles, classes and lectures on the internet. Find some reputable ones and put together your own training regimen.

Look into local in-person classes and workshops that you can attend on your lunch break, or sign up for a conference that covers these topics.

Ask your employer what professional development opportunities they provide as well. Companies are often more than happy to help their employees grow, and they may even pay for your training.

Ask for help. If you have someone you look up to who has strong interpersonal skills, consider asking them to mentor you. This can be over the span of several years or just a day of watching them in action and asking questions.

If you have some specific areas you want to grow in, find one or two people you admire who demonstrate these skills and ask them for advice. Usually, people are more than willing to offer a helping hand.

Practice empathy. We could all stand to focus a little less on ourselves and a little more on those around us. To practice empathy, start putting yourself in the shoes of those you work and live alongside.

Boost your confidence. Feeling good about yourself helps you treat others well. Start keeping a brag book of all the compliments you’ve received at work, and note down any major accomplishments you’re proud of.

Ask more questions. Not just during on-the-clock, professional conversations (but certainly do ask questions that relate to your job performance), but also during less formal conversations. When you express interest in other people’s ideas, you become more likable.

Interpersonal skills FAQ

What is the most important interpersonal skill?

Communication is one of the most important interpersonal skills. Although there are many important interpersonal skills for the workplace, communication is one of the most crucial. Since interpersonal interactions result in many acts of communication, from communication do a lot of other interpersonal skills follow.

Why are interpersonal skills important?

Interpersonal skills are important because the workplace requires effective interactions among employees, clients, and competitors. Most professionals, regardless of their occupation, will inevitably interact with others. Therefore, with good interpersonal skills, you can improve your chances to positive interactions and results.

Which jobs need interpersonal skills?

Highly social jobs such as teaching, nursing, customer service, and marketing need employees with great interpersonal skills. Although many other professions need some level of interpersonal skills, unsurprisingly, jobs that require constant interaction with others require a high level of interpersonal skills. If you plan to work in a profession where your must work with others, make sure you have great interpersonal skills.

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Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.

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Market Trends

Sep 28, 2020

Future of Work: Why Critical Thinking and Interpersonal Skills Are Power Skills

The rise of big data, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics raises questions about what our future working and business lives will look like. As we move towards an even more digital age, companies and employees are both asking: To what extent will technology replace human intelligence and make jobs obsolete? Previous assumptions about automation and non-employee labor are giving way to a deeper understanding of its challenges in the workplace.

GetSmarter, a 2U, Inc. brand, curated ‘ The Future of Work Is Here ’ report with the aim to help professionals and organizations navigate these challenges. The research unpacks findings from over 8,000 respondents in 106 countries. With additional insights gathered from more than 100,000 students over the past 12 years, the report provides in-depth data of how the workplace is changing as attitudes and values shift. It also reveals that the most valued skills for the future won’t be technical, but rather those that can’t be done by machines, such as critical thinking and leadership. Furthermore, there’s a growing importance being placed on ‘soft’ or ‘interpersonal’ skills, something that human resources (HR), learning and development, and talent managers – particularly those in charge of recruitment – are taking note of.

While machines might be set to take over many technical tasks, employers and employees will increasingly place high premiums on uniquely human skills. The result of this will likely be more creative human-centered jobs, requiring higher degrees of social and emotional intelligence, and negotiation skills.

In the face of an increasingly tech-driven workplace, develop your practical negotiation skills through the exploration of strategies and real-world case studies in the Negotiation Strategies online program from Yale School of Management Executive Education.

Debunking the myths about the future of work

Despite prevailing fears of redundancy, humans are very much at the heart of the future of work. As technology assumes the menial work that humans used to do, more opportunities open up for companies to leverage the previously untapped creativity and innovation of people – and prioritize humanity and emotional intelligence at work. For people to thrive, it’s important that companies invest in programs and skills development that enhance trust, appreciation, respect, autonomy, and equity. 1

To that end, it’s necessary to address and debunk some of the myths that have arisen, and aptly place the role of human beings as a core component.

Myth 1 Machines will be superior to humans Technology may take over the more menial tasks, but it also creates opportunities for organizations and employees to be more creative and innovative. 2 It may also provide people with the time and space to improve on leadership, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills – essential talents needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. Ultimately, humans will have the capacity to become better humans.

Myth 2 The most important skills are tech-related GetSmarter’s respondents agree that the two skills that will be most important in the future are analytical or critical thinking and leadership. What’s more, those in charge of recruitment appear to understand just how important interpersonal skills will be far better than non-HR counterparts. The demand for social and emotional skills are also anticipated to grow across industries by 26 percent in the United States and 22 percent in Europe by 2030. 3

Myth 3 Gig and remote work are created equal Before COVID-19 forced employees into remote working, it was estimated that almost two-thirds of companies were employing full-time remote workers already. 4 A number which has only risen in the past few months. In contrast, only nine percent of people and HR managers respondents indicated that they hire ‘giggers’ (part-time workers without a formal contract) to fill skills gaps that exist within their teams. While past research hasn’t always made the distinction between the two, it’s predicted that the rate at which remote work is adopted will far outpace the rate at which companies adopt the gig economy.

Myth 4 The responsibility of learning lies with employees GetSmarter’s research found that employees feel individually accountable for continuous learning, whereas talent management and HR view it as being more of a business or joint responsibility. This misalignment may mean that employees are unaware that their employer is willing to support them to learn. To remedy this, HR, learning and development (L&D), and talent managers need to lead the way within organizations and create a continuous learning culture. 5

Myth 5 Millennials will replace Baby Boomers in the workplace In 2018, for the first time in history, those aged 65 or older outnumbered children younger than five globally. 6 Due to improved healthcare and quality of life, human life expectancy is on the rise, meaning more people are working for longer. Therefore, a bigger concern should be the multi-generational workforces that will be created as a result, and the challenges that this offers.

Myth 6 The lump of labor fallacy There’s the notion that the more work is being done by machines, the fewer jobs there’ll be for people. In reality, the amount of jobs flexes over long periods of time as technology creates new desires and needs, resulting in additional positions. Important to note, however, is that when tech-related changes happen, not everyone will have the skills or opportunities to make the transition to these new positions. Government, policymakers, and influencers will have to put programs in place to ensure a smoother short-term transition. 7

The impact of technology on human life

Automation and AI are here, as is the ongoing debate around technology and its impact on work . But that’s not to say humans have lost our sense of agency; the choice to use robots to perform tasks is ultimately in our hands. Instead of replacing entire jobs, it’s believed that they could possibly make professionals’ work experiences more favorable. Mundane tasks delegated to robots, and creative tasks are left to humans. 8 Computer-driven work can help improve our lives through better and cheaper products and services, whilst a new generation of jobs will be created for humans who can work alongside technology.

Automation can help humans enjoy productive working lives

Technology influences every facet of modern life. But the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many people to move online and socialize through screens, has underscored just how integral technology has become in our lives.

As machines work to improve our experiences so that we can invest in more productive tasks, business leaders need to look at navigating AI in the workforce. To accomplish human productivity and business objectives, key actions include: a reallocation of resources, investment in up-skilling and reskilling employees and, on a larger scale, advancing new models of education and lifelong learning. 9 Although some technological innovations have existed in the workplace for a while, they’re increasingly being used in new and exciting ways. In some cases, modern and next-gen tools, like modern video gaming, interactive apps and smartphones, have already replaced old or outdated technology, improving productivity, efficiency, and mobility. 10

Humans are strategic; machines are tactical

When analyzing the impact of technology on the economy, business, and society, studies reveal that skill shifts are not a new phenomenon; rather, the workforce has been affected since at least the First Industrial Revolution. 11 But the adoption of automation and AI marks a very different acceleration than what’s occurred in the past. It’s suffice to say that the more technical the work, the more technology can accomplish it. In other words, machines skew towards tactical applications. 12 On the other hand, work that requires a high degree of imagination, creativity, and strategic thinking is harder to automate: computers are skilled at optimizing, but fall short at goal-setting, or even using common sense.

Technology will replace some work, but it won’t replace the people who have done the work, or tech-savvy professionals who are comfortable working in online environments. 13 For example, ATMs took over a number of tasks bank tellers were doing, making their roles redundant, but at the same time it gave existing workers the opportunity to upskill and sell a wider range of financial services. As American economist James Bessen notes, “The problem is that people are losing jobs, and we’re not providing them with the skills and knowledge that they need to prepare for new jobs.” 14 The immediate call to action then is to rethink the shape and characteristics of the workforce , and to generate a new human resource development agenda that is both technological and human. 15

Not all skills are created equal

GetSmarter’s research respondents agree that analytical and critical thinking is most valued in the workplace, both currently and in the future, while technical skills are rated in the middle in both instances, and digital capabilities feature last. Discover what these skills entail below:

In order to better leverage these human-centric skills, companies across all industries need leaders who can communicate persuasively and effectively, meet business objectives, influence various stakeholders, and drive positive change. The Communicating for Influence and Impact online short course from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) provides comprehensive insights and a range of tools to develop impactful communication.

The most valued skills in the future

In its research, GetSmarter assessed the current and future values that people assign to different skills by asking:

• Which of the following skills do you currently value most in employees? Or which of the following skills does your employer currently value the most?
• Which of the following skills are you anticipating to be most valuable to your organization in the next 18 months?

Every working professional, no matter their role or function, should start preparing themselves for the increase in value that will be placed on uniquely human skills. GetSmarter’s data reflects that across generations, and employee and managerial levels, there’s widespread acknowledgement that analytical and critical thinking skills will become even more valuable and sought after in the future. The relatively low value that respondents placed on technical skills is likely based on the expectation that machines will take over technical tasks, leaving cognitive and creative tasks to humans.

When broken down by generation, the data reveals that younger people in Generation Z perceive technical skills and digital capability as far more valuable compared to other groups. As digital natives, this is to be expected. However, they also agree that analytical and critical thinking skills hold the most value overall, followed by interpersonal skills. This shows that even the digitally native generation acknowledges the value of uniquely human skills.

As a result of this evolving business landscape, there’s a growing need for highly skilled leaders who can navigate through these complex challenges and empower their teams to succeed. Combining theory and practice, the Oxford Executive Leadership Programme , from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, is centered around refining your leadership skills and purpose in line with your company’s strategic focus.

The ability to think analytically and critically, to lead teams, and build productive interpersonal relationships are the factors that will help one candidate stand out from another in the future workplace. These skills are highlighted as the areas where the largest skills gaps currently exist.

Organizations need to ensure that education and employment are fit for the needs of a changing world, one where new skills and learning are a continual part of a professional’s life . The GetSmarter Skills Hierarchy offers five key areas as a guide for where the workforce may need to upskill or reskill in the near future in order to stay relevant.

Related article

Career advice

The future of work is human

In a time of rapid change and uncertainty, people have become the most valuable asset to companies. The ability to balance work and life, aided by technology, will be a key factor in shaping people’s lives over the next decade. Businesses and employees can prepare for the future of work by aligning their purpose, culture, vision, and values to the needs of the changing workplace, and prepare for a new division of labor between humans and machines.

How prepared are you for the future of work? Explore the rest of this series of blog articles here

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• 1 (Sep, 2019). ‘The future of work is human’. Retrieved from Workhuman .
• 2 (Sep, 2019). ‘The future of work is human’. Retrieved from Workhuman .
• 3 Bughin, J. et al. (May, 2018). ‘Skill shift: Automation and the future of the workforce’. Retrieved from McKinsey .
• 4 (Feb, 2018). ‘New report finds majority of companies are embracing remote teams, yet more than half lack a remote work policy’. Retrieved from Upwork .
• 5 Maier, S. (Dec, 2018). ‘5 steps to developing a continuous-learning culture’. Retrieved from The Business Journals .
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