MODULE 4:
Interpersonal Skills
Embedded Files
“The things that make me different are the things that make me, me.”
~ Winnie The Pooh
Four interlocked hands, each holding another's wrist.
Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are the abilities we use to interact and communicate effectively with others. These include skills like: active listening, empathy, teamwork, conflict resolution, and clear communication.
For leaders, interpersonal skills are essential because leadership is not just about managing tasks, it's about working with people. A leader with strong interpersonal skills can build trust, motivate their team, and create a positive and respectful environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
In any leadership role, how you connect with others often determines your success. Leaders who demonstrate empathy and strong communication are better equipped to understand the needs of their team, handle challenges calmly, and bring people together to work toward shared goals.
Whether in school, sports, or future workplaces, developing interpersonal skills will help student leaders build strong relationships, inspire others, and lead with confidence and integrity.
EVERYDAY LEADERSHIP
Everyday Leadership (The Lollipop Moment)
Everyday Leadership (The Lollipop Moment)
VOTED ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL TED TALKS OF ALL TIME
Strong interpersonal skills assist leaders in forming relationships in the workplace. Interpersonal skills are those face-to-face skills we demonstrate when we communicate, interact, and share our thoughts, feelings, ideas, and emotions. Similar to social skills, good interpersonal skills can be learned and practiced to avoid social awkwardness. At work and at school, strong interpersonal skills are helpful during challenging moments, when problem-solving and during your day-to-day tasks.
Listen to Drew Dudley's TEDTalk, Everyday Leadership, and create a list, identifying the characteristics and skills you observe, both verbal and non-verbal, that make Drew a strong leader. Look closely at your list - are these examples of interpersonal skills? Why or why not?
Soft Skills
Soft Skills
Sometimes interpersonal skills are called "Soft Skills." Employers look for evidence of soft skills in job interviews so that they hire people who will contribute to strong relationships in a workplace and lead by example.
The Northwest Training and Adjustment Board (NTAB) has released a Soft Skills Training Video to help you get ready for upcoming job interviews. As a potential employee, highlighting your interpersonal skills demonstrates you are a leader in the making! Make some notes - these tips will be helpful when you head out to your work placement or to an interview.
MINDS ON
MINDS ON
💡 Reflection
💡 Reflection
Reflecting on the videos above, and comparing these concepts to the Leadership Qualities from Module 3, take a few minutes to consider the questions below.
Things to consider:
How are interpersonal skills related to the qualities we look for in a leader?
Which interpersonal skills do you struggle with the most, but know are important to work on?
How are interpersonal skills and the qualities of a good leader related to a person's natural personality, and how are they unrelated?
Record your answers in your Student Workbook.
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