People skills

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It has been suggested that this article be merged with Social skills . (Discuss) Proposed since April 2013.

According to the Portland Business Journal, people skills are described as:[1]

  • understanding ourselves and moderating our responses
  • talking effectively and empathizing accurately
  • building relationships of trust, respect and productive interactions.

A British definition is “the ability to communicate effectively with people in a friendly way, especially in business.”[2] The term is not listed yet in major US dictionaries.[3][4]

The term people skills is used to include both psychological skills and social skills, but is less inclusive than life skills.

Contents

History [edit]

Guidelines relating to people skills have been recorded from very early times. Two examples of early human guidelines can be found in the Old Testament. Firstly in Leviticus 19:18 it says: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against your people, but love your neighbor as yourself” and secondly from Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs 15:1 it says: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”[5] However the Bible also condemns 'flattery' (Psalms 5:9)

Human relations studies became a movement in the 1920s, as companies became more interested in the “soft skills" and interpersonal skills of employees. In organizations, improving people skills became a specialized role of the corporate trainer. By the mid-1930s, Dale Carnegie popularized people skills in How to Win Friends & Influence People and How to Stop Worrying & Start Living throughout America and later throughout the world.

In the 1960s, US schools introduced people skills topics and methods—often as a way to promote better self-esteem, communication and social interaction. These encompassed psychologist Thomas Gordon’s “Effectiveness Training” variations as well as many other training programs.[6] By the 1980s, "traditional education" and a “back-to-basics” three Rs emphasis largely pushed aside these programs,[7] with notable exceptions.[8]

Educational importance/impact [edit]

A significant portion of the deaths in the United States can be attributed to psychosocial[9] deficits in people skills for stress management and supportive social connection.[10] Business, labor and government authorities agree that wide-ranging people skills are necessary for 20th-century work success in the SCANS report.[11] At least one foundation, Alliances for Psychosocial Advancements in Learning (APAL), has made support of SCANS-related people skills a major priority.[12]

UNESCO research found that young people who develop speaking/listening skills and getting to know others have improved self-awareness, social-emotional adjustment and classroom behavior; self-destructive and violent behavior also were decreased.[13] The Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has identified 22 programs in the US that are especially comprehensive in social-emotional learning coverage and effective in documented impacts.[14]

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Rifkin, H. “Invest in people skills to boost bottom line” Retrieved on 2009-10-14
  2. ^ “Macmillan Dictionary” Retrieved on 2009-08-18
  3. ^ Dictionary.com definition. Retrieved on 2009-08-18
  4. ^ Encarta dictionary definition. Retrieved on 2009-08-18
  5. ^ “New International Version Biarrarara44rr4arra4rra4rrr4rra4rble” Retrieved on 2009-08-18
  6. ^ Schaps, E.; Cohen, A.Y.; and Resnik, H.S.:“Balancing Head and Heart” PIRE. Retrieved on 2009-08-18
  7. ^ Doll, R.C. “Humanizing Education by Improving Communication” ERIC. Retrieved on 2009-08-19
  8. ^ “Stop. Think. Act. Program” Learning Matters. Retrieved on 2009-08-18
  9. ^ http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/psychosocial Retrieved on 2009-10-14
  10. ^ “Century of research confirms impact of psychosocial factors on health” APA. Retrieved on 2009-08-18
  11. ^ “Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS)” US Dept. of Labor. Retrieved on 2009-08-18
  12. ^ “Communications Connections” APAL. Retrieved on 2009-08-18
  13. ^ “UNESCO Research” British Telecommunications. Retrieved on 2009-08-18
  14. ^ “CASEL "Select" Programs” Retrieved on 2009-08-18

Further reading [edit]

  • People Skills: How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others, and Resolve Conflicts (book overview) [1] Robert Bolton, Touchstone
  • People Skills & Self-Management (online guide) Ernest Llynn Lotecka, APAL
  • The People Skills Revolution: A Step-by-Step Approach to Developing Sophisticated People Skills [2] Pamela Milne, Global Professional Publishing

External links [edit]

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