As we become more and more entangled in wires and screens, the essence of real human connection is often lost in the digital noise. But among all the algorithms and artificial intelligence, nothing beats the ability of individuals to create meaningful relationships, especially across professions. Despite digitization, just having technical knowledge is no longer enough. Employers increasingly prefer candidates who can navigate complex social dynamics, communicate effectively, and build healthy relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to advance your career or just graduated from the world of work, honing your interpersonal intelligence can open doors to new opportunities and propel you towards your goals. In this blog, we explore the importance of interpersonal intelligence while sharing practical tips for developing it. Learn how your ability to connect with others can benefit you both personally and professionally. Keep reading! What is Interpersonal Intelligence? Introduced by Howard Gardner as part of his theory of multiple intelligences, Interpersonal Intelligence is a term that refers to the ability to understand others and communicate effectively with them. People with strong interpersonal intelligence are able to discover and understand the feelings, motives, intentions, and desires of others. They excel at communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and relationship building. This intelligence includes sensitivity to the moods, temperaments, and motivations of others, allowing people to skillfully navigate social situations and form strong bonds. Characteristics of Interpersonal Intelligence Pay attention to others when they speak. • Start conversations even with strangers. • A wide circle of friends and acquaintances. • Introduce people to each other and foster new relationships. • Apply ability to influence the opinions or decisions of others. • See situations and problems mainly through interpersonal dynamics. • Use the ability to understand the motives and thoughts behind people’s actions, often at the centre of conversations and social gatherings. Traits of Interpersonal Intelligence Empathy: Demonstrates understanding and compassion for the feelings and experiences of others. • Charismatic: Has a natural charm and ability to connect with people. • Persuasive: persuades others through persuasive arguments and effective communication. • Observer: pays attention to subtle social signals and nuances in interpersonal interactions. • Adaptive: flexibility to adapt communication and behavior to different social contexts. • Diplomatic: handles sensitive situations tactfully and thoughtfully to maintain harmony. • Cooperativeness: Values cooperation and teamwork, which positively promotes group dynamics. • Influential: Can inspire and motivate others to act or adopt certain positions. Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Intelligence Simply put, interpersonal intelligence involves understanding others and interacting effectively with them using empathy, social awareness, and communication skills. On the other hand, intrapersonal intelligence focuses on self-awareness and understanding of one’s feelings, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. Interpersonal intelligence fosters successful relationships, while intrapersonal intelligence enhances self-reflection and personal growth. Advantages of Interpersonal Intelligence Here are some advantages associated with strong interpersonal intelligence: Effective communication People with strong interpersonal intelligence excel in both verbal and nonverbal communication. They are able to express themselves clearly and accurately and understand the messages of others, which promotes better relationships and reduces misunderstandings. Empathy and understanding People are able to understand the feelings, motives, and perspectives of others. This allows them to build relationships, show compassion, and offer support, which leads to stronger relationships. Conflict resolution They are also able to resolve conflicts and deal with difficult situations diplomatically. By understanding different points of view and finding common ground, they can mediate conflicts and promote a peaceful solution. Leadership and influence Interpersonal intelligence is critical to effective leadership. People who can inspire, motivate, and influence others often have strong communication skills. They can build and lead effective teams, foster collaboration, and create a positive work environment. Networking and building relationships People with interpersonal intelligence excel at networking and building lasting relationships. They can easily relate to others, build trust, and develop valuable professional and personal connections that can lead to opportunities for career advancement and personal growth. Social Adaptation In different social situations, people with interpersonal intelligence can adapt their behavior and communication style to suit different personalities and contexts. This adaptability allows them to thrive in various social environments and move easily in unfamiliar environments. Enhanced emotional intelligence Interpersonal intelligence is closely related to emotional intelligence (EQ). People with strong communication skills are often emotionally intelligent, able to manage their emotions effectively, and understand the emotions of others, which leads to healthier relationships and overall well-being. Teamwork and collaboration They excel in collaborative environments and positively influence team dynamics. By promoting open communication, trust, and collaboration, they help teams achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently. Developing interpersonal intelligence Developing interpersonal intelligence involves your ability to understand and communicate effectively with others. Here are some strategies to help you improve your communication skills. Practice active listening. Pay attention to what others are saying without interrupting. Show a genuine interest in their perspective, ask clarifying questions, and reflect on their thoughts and feelings to understand. Developing empathy Put yourself in the shoes of others to better understand their feelings, motivations, and experiences. Practice empathy by actively listening, acknowledging your feelings, and showing compassion and support. Pay attention to social cues. Pay attention to non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Being aware of these signals will help you better understand the feelings and intentions of others. Improve your communication skills. Improve your verbal and non-verbal communication. Practice expressing yourself clearly and confidently, and learn to adapt your communication style to different audiences and situations. Build relationships. Build positive relationships by being approachable, friendly, and respectful. Connect with others, show genuine interest in their lives, and have insightful conversations to build rapport and trust. Resolve conflicts constructively. Learn to manage conflicts and disagreements diplomatically. Focus on finding solutions that satisfy both parties, listen to all perspectives, and communicate confidently while remaining respectful and empathetic. Ask for feedback. Ask for feedback from others to gain insight into your communication skills. Ask for constructive criticism and be open to suggestions for improvement. Develop your self-awareness. Think about your feelings, behavior, and communication style. Develop self-awareness to understand how your actions and words affect others, and work to improve areas where you may have weaknesses.Jobs for Interpersonal Intelligence Jobs that require strong interpersonal intelligence often involve interpersonal skills, effective communication, empathy, and the ability to build and maintain relationships. Here are examples of jobs where interpersonal skills are commonly valued: Sales Representative Sales roles require the ability to understand customer needs, build relationships, and effectively communicate the benefits of products or services. Strong communication skills are crucial to developing and maintaining customer relationships. HR Specialist HR specialists interact with employees, job
Tell me about yourself. Be honest, did you automatically feel a little uneasy reading this? There’s a reason this question (albeit more telling!) is so hard to answer. The “Tell me about yourself” interview question can be nerve wracking, because it’s so open-ended — and it often leaves job seekers unsure of how to respond. “It’s important to remember that the reason employers ask this question is really to see how you would fit into a certain role at the company,” says Flex Jobs career expert Toni Frana. To successfully answer this question, you must match your answer to the role you are applying for and prepare your answer in advance. How to answer “Tell me about yourself”? Relate your answer to the current task “Tell me about yourself” is probably better worded as: “Tell me what made you apply for this job and some key qualifications that make you stand out, and maybe add something to help highlight your personality.” But this is obviously too long a statement, so employers often shorten it to a much broader question. Regardless of how the employer phrased it, four aspects of your answer should comprise: Your most recent work-related background • What made you apply for this job • Your best qualifications for the job • What interests you about the company Keep your answer short, about 30 seconds or less Start by addressing these four topics in a draft version of your answer. Once you have a rough draft on paper (or screen), it’s time to start narrowing, refining, and distilling. You’re aiming for about 30 seconds from start to finish. (Yes, it should be that fast!) Take some time to figure out how long you’re talking and you’ll find that 30 seconds is about right. More than that and it can start to sound meandering. It may also be useful to remind you that this is only an introduction. During the rest of the interview, even if it is just an initial screening, you will have additional opportunities to demonstrate more skills, qualifications, and personality. So don’t try to pack everything in at first. Practice Your Answers You need to understand how to answer this question without sounding too rehearsed. Exercise will help you: Build your confidence so that you are not shocked or nervous when you are put on the spot. • Strengthen your understanding of who you are and what you can offer. • Focus on your answers so you don’t wander off. • Be specific about how you believe your path has prepared you to work for this company. But to practice something, you must first know what you are talking about! Below are three examples of how to answer “tell me about yourself.” Sample Responses to “Tell me about yourself” Take it step by step “I am a pioneering hiring manager with 8 years of experience in managing all aspects of recruiting – from resume screening and phone screening to benefits – for Fortune 500 companies have used the last 4 years to develop my skills resulting in performance recognition and two promotions Think “past, present, future” Using this simple three-part formula will help you create a professional and informative answer to the “Tell me about yourself” question. “Currently, I’m an account manager at Smith, where I manage a top client. Before that, I was at an agency where I worked for three different large national healthcare brands. And while I really enjoy what I do, I would love the opportunity to delve into a specific healthcare company, so so excited about the opportunity at Metro Health Center”. Respond with the company in mind Do your research beforehand to get the best information about the company and how your expertise and strengths can help them. Here’s an example: “I was born and raised in this country and have an excellent knowledge of the area as well as Central and XYZ counties. Over the past 9 years at ABC Freight Company I have developed as a package loader, courier shipper, and team leader. In my most recent role, I had the opportunity to conduct several management training programs, provide supervision and leadership in all positions, and participate in special projects with senior and regional managers. I enjoy being a leader and being able to strengthen and motivate my team for the greatest growth. I believe this experience and training has prepared me to take the next step and take on a leadership role with you.” What not to say when you answer “Tell me about yourself.” Don’t clutter your resume It might be tempting to read almost all of your resume, but don’t. Normally you might mention where you started your career, a few jobs, and your current role, but now is not the time to skim list them one by one or talk about each job you did, keep it short and about 30 seconds long. Don’t Focus on Irrelevant Jobs Depending on where you are in your career, your career history can be pretty far off. If your first job out of college is unrelated to your current career, don’t mention it. Or, if you’ve had a career change, you can focus only on those roles that directly relate to your new career field. Mentioning unrelated roles can be confusing and make the employer wonder if you are focused or experienced in the job you are applying for. Don’t get too personal Avoid personal topics like whether or not you have children, your marital status, or your religious or political background. Not only can an employer ask you for these, they are unrelated to the job and can even discriminate against your interviewer. Landing Your Dream Job Prepare for success by researching the company to get a sense of the company’s culture and practicing your answers to difficult interview questions. With an organized approach, you’ll be ready to stand out in today’s competitive job market.
