Social skill and relationships is, hopefully, the aspect of emotional intelligence that requires the least explanation – although it’s a bit more complex than just how well you get on with people or how friendly you are.

All of the others aspects of emotional intelligence play a part in your social skill and how you apply those other attributes will determine how successful your relationships become.  If you’re self aware, able to regulate your emotions, motivated and you take time to understand other people’s emotions and perspectives, then there’s pretty good chance that you’ll be good at creating, developing and maintaining sustainable, long-term relationships.

People with high levels of social skill tend to be good at managing teams – even without direct authoritative power – and they have the ability to positively influence people who they engage with.  Most socially skilled individuals will have a wide circle on contacts and they will often build relationships across organisations and social groups.

Like all of the other attributes of emotional intelligence investing in training and coaching  will improve an individual’s social skill. If you are wondering why this should matter to your business read on?

• people with high levels of social skill tend to be good at managing teams – even without direct authoritative power
• they have the ability to positively influence people who they engage with
• most socially skilled individuals will have a wide circle of contacts and are good at networking
• and they will often build relationships across organisations and social groups

A lack of social skill is likely to hold back technically and intellectually brilliant individuals. 

Fortunately, like all of the other attributes of emotional intelligence, social skill can be improved with time and effort.  It’s not something that you’ll learn by reading a book or attending a training course.

 Just as with most other skills in life, a good coach is critical if you’re going to become the best version of yourself that you can be.