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People skills are a key ingredient for success in business. Technical skills are important, but they can only get a person so far. And that’s a fact that professionals have known for a long time, too. Back in 2009, USA Today published the results of an interesting survey: they asked what skills accounting and finance employers would find the most valuable in two otherwise qualified candidates with the right hard skills for the job. More than 30% said they would value people skills highly when making that decision (up a whopping 30% from five years prior).
Today’s workplace still views people skills as essential skills, too. In 2018, the McKinsey Global Institute found that the growth in demand for social skills would rise 26% between 2016 and 2030. Meanwhile, SHRM reported in 2024 that 3 out of 4 employers struggle to find candidates with the soft skills they need.
But there’s a common misconception that people skills are just innate in a person; either someone has good people skills, or they don’t. Thankfully, that’s not really true. Look at it this way: Ronald Reagan wasn’t born talking to a camera or winning over audiences. He developed his people skills over time. And those people skills helped lead him to the presidency.
But how can a person develop their people skills? Learning how to foster these skills is a lifelong process. This guide walks through a few good places to start when working on these soft skills.
Ways to Build Good People Skills
Not sure how to start with growing those essential people skills? Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Don’t overlook critical thinking.
Many people don’t look at critical thinking as one of the interpersonal skills; most people view it as an analytical skill. Business leaders understand that critical thinking still plays a role in successful human interactions.
Look at it this way: a big part of developing good relationships with other people is having a good understanding of a situation. For example, when someone’s pursuing conflict resolution, they need to take time to assess what’s going on: the relationship between the conflicting parties, who’s said what, what happened, and so much more. But sorting through the basic facts and actually finding the core of the conflict takes critical thinking.
So, for anyone looking to boost their people skills, critical thinking is an important first step.
Practice active listening.
Active listening is an essential communication skill, which makes it an essential people skill, too. Good listening pays a huge compliment to the person speaking; it shows respect. Good eye contact and nonverbal feedback (like nodding and leaning forward to demonstrate interest) show the speaker that what they’re saying is important.
Actively listening also includes asking good, thoughtful follow-up questions. Not only do these questions help further the discussion and aid problem solving, but they also help show the other person that they’re important and valued.
Smile.
Smile. That sounds too simple, right? An old Jewish proverb says: “The man who gives a little with a smile gives more than the man who gives much with a frown.” Especially in American culture, a smile denotes warmth and puts other people at ease. A smile can help disarm, bring positive feelings to meetings, and make a professional seem open and approachable. That in turn creates trust and rapport.
The best part? Smiling is easy. It doesn’t cost a cent, and it doesn’t really cost anything, either.
Boost communication skills.
A person could have the highest level of emotional intelligence or the best leadership skills in the world, but if they can’t communicate well, then they won’t see much professional success. And that’s because people don’t connect well when communication breaks down.
Most professionals have different communication weaknesses. For example, one person might struggle with clearly communicating complex topics. Another person might feel uncomfortable when they have to train new employees, but they feel at ease with established ones. And there are plenty of professionals with strong people skills who can’t stand giving a presentation in the workplace.
There have been thousands upon thousands of books written about good communication, and it’d be impossible to cover everything in this guide. But a good team member will do what they can to improve their communication skills. From improving eye contact to learning the basics of persuasive communication and beyond, building better communication skills is a lifelong quest for everyone.
Show enthusiasm.
Too much of human interaction is guarded, or worse, apathetic. Apathy doesn’t inspire confidence in anyone. That’s why showing even a little enthusiasm can make a professional stand out. If a person doesn’t talk enthusiastically about their own ideas or their field of expertise, they can’t expect anyone else to love their idea, either. And this is true not only in the workplace but also in ordinary social situations, too.
It’s also incredibly valuable to show enthusiasm towards other people’s ideas, too. For example, if a boss is listening to their employee present their idea to improve their team’s productivity, they can show enthusiasm through their body language and what they say. They can lean in and express visible interest, and then they might find ways to respond positively to the ideas presented. Even if that employee’s ideas needed tweaking, the worker would feel valued, and they’d be more likely to come to their boss with additional questions, concerns, or suggestions in the future.
Stay curious.
People (and the organizations they work at) are fascinating; there’s always something new to learn. That makes curiosity an essential skill.
Some people are naturally curious; they ask questions about the world almost out of habit. But anyone can try to foster a curious mindset, even when it doesn’t come to them naturally. It can start out simple, such as asking questions to learn more about the company’s vision, goals, and pain points. A professional could also take time to learn about what their coworkers are passionate about.
Simply asking questions is powerful. For one thing, the knowledge gained from these interactions might inspire solutions to problems that team members are facing. But more importantly, from an interpersonal perspective, showing curiosity about the people in the organization is vital for building trust. It shows that they’re more than just cogs in a proverbial machine.
Conclusion
Developing great people skills can feel like a challenge, but it’s well worth doing. Making other people feel valued through good communication, enthusiasm, active listening, and expressing interest isn’t just good manners; it’s an investment in another person that pays off in the long run. Good people skills help build strong relationships that extend beyond the professional environment.
