Blog Layout

Being socially savvy…

nuggetsoflearning • May 29, 2018

Social intelligence is just like regular intelligence, some of it we are born with and have a natural predisposition and the rest is learnt from good and bad experience.  Some people  it comes intrinsically with their personality and they are more charismatic, likeable and socially intelligent.

However if social situations are more tricky for you it does not mean that you cannot improve.  Like any intelligence you need to learn and practice.

Being social savvy is about making fewer obvious mistakes than others.  Knowing when to tell a joke or make a comment that is right for the audience.

Poor social skills can often be more of a failure than merely an intellectual one.   The memory of a bad impression will last longer than a positive impression.

Here are some top tips as to how you can begin developing the skill:-

  • Listening versus speaking – you need to understand the mind of the person you are speaking to so that you have the intended effect
  • Read the signals – Be in sync with the room, how is the mood and atmosphere
  • Understand the whole person – watch out for leakage in their body language
  • Comfortable eye contact – engaged and not intense
  • Welcoming posture – some-one you want to approach
  • Warmth – through your voice and your physicality
  • Be inclusive of others around you
  • 80% Listening – aware of social context and empathetic listening
  • Feedback – ask your peers or work with a coach to gauge your impact

Please do get in touch to develop your social skills by a nuggets workshop or 1:1 coaching.

By bev February 17, 2025
Bringing life to your values...
By bev February 4, 2025
Why do they matter?
By bev January 27, 2025
Key data on one page...
By bev January 13, 2025
Get into the right mindset to look for your next position...
By bev January 8, 2025
Take time to think about how you want 2025 to look and feel?
By bev November 27, 2024
“Don’t be led by the tyranny of now wake up to the power of not yet”  Professor Carol S Dweck
By bev November 18, 2024
Finding a rhythm to leading a team remotely...
By bev November 12, 2024
Do your team feel seen and really heard...?
By bev November 4, 2024
Leading life with Emotional Intelligence...
By bev October 25, 2024
Practical tips...
By bev October 21, 2024
Try not saying the word...
By bev October 14, 2024
Top tips for looking after YOU...
More Posts
Share by: