VIII. Skills Part 3: Interpersonal Skills

Humans are social beings. To make social systems (groups, departments, etc.) work, all group members have to follow certain rules (compare to this and to the following): Aronson, E./Wilson, T. D./Akert, R. M./Sommers, S. R.: Social Psychology, Harlow, 2015, PP 246. And PP. 289.). If an individual now wants to join a group, he or she must act in accordance with the norms, rules, etc. of a group so that he or she is accepted by the rest of the members and becomes part of the group. In companies there are two different categories of these rules. There are guidelines for the behaviour of employees, which are regulated in the employment contract, for example the prohibition of the private use of social networks during working hours.  But many rules are not laid down in official documents, often colleagues assume that these rules are known. This is often a stumbling block for new entrants who can unintentionally violate them, for example:

• There are companies that have a very collegial, very casual way of dealing with each other. Maybe they also do something together privately. A completely wrong interpretation of this collegial corporate culture would be a post in a WhatsApp group that you are having fun in your own garden because you think that you have done enough work today. Anyone who does something like this violates a very important rule. You can do something like that, but such a post could cause envy among colleagues. They could then denounce you to your boss, which could have negative consequences for you. This unwritten rule can be deduced by thinking for yourself.
  
  
• In every company there are grey eminences. They have a very big influence but act mostly in the background. If you want to successfully complete your first project as a young employee, it is extremely important that you secure the goodwill of these grey eminences. If they are not involved in the decision-making process, they may build up adversaries without your knowledge. In your first project, carefully ask your colleagues about the people in the company who should be involved in decision-making, even if they are not hierarchical superiors.
  
  

What skills do you need to be successful in such a social system?

1. Self-regulation. In order to integrate yourself into a social system, you have to be in control of yourself. So think carefully about the extent to which you need to work on yourself in terms of these abilities.

2. Communication skills. Your colleagues are not clairvoyants, only by asking questions can you find out how the departments and collaboration works. Talk to your colleagues, this is better than making assumptions about behaviour and rules. Vital part of socio-communication competences including prior experiences and the personal position regarding communication. The topic includes listening skills as well as communication skills when talking in groups and written and verbal communication. (Heyse, V./Erpenbeck, J.: Kompetenztraining, Schäfer-Poeschel Verlag Stuttgart, 2009, P. 259)

3. Teamwork. Without teamwork you won't get far, so you should critically question your ability to work in a team. Act with integrity and act as a reliable, trustworthy colleague in combination with the ability and willingness to work in teams, to accept thoughts and opinions of others and develop them further.  (Heyse, V./Erpenbeck, J.: Kompetenztraining, Schäfer-Poeschel Verlag Stuttgart, 2009, P322)

4. Appreciation of Diversity. In international companies you will find teams that are made up of international people. In this context, it is important that you not only accept foreign cultures, but also learn to understand them.

As always, we distinguish between the 2 different levels, basic and advanced forms:

• Basic Forms: The ability to handle social interactions effectively. In business life that means to be able to communicate with the people surrounding you, make small talk and – over all - be well-respected. 
  
  
• Advanced Forms: The ability to influence complex social interactions effectively. Being aware of social barriers and having the ability to solve them. You have a good reputation among the people surrounding you, show empathy and work well even when situations are stressful or difficult. People listen to you and you have the possibility to influence a social system.