| As you try to improve your social skills, an invaluable | | | | discussed. It takes a lot of effort to be patient and |
| way to monitor your progress and check how your | | | | courteous as you wait for your turn to be heard. But |
| abilities have improved so far in your social | | | | if you will come to realize it, you will learn a lot if you |
| interaction, is the use of a social skills checklist. | | | | focus on what the other party is saying. |
| A social skills checklist outlines the major social skills | | | | 2. Always say "please" and "thank you". |
| and present helpful hints in achieving a better | | | | The use of the words "please" and "thank you" are |
| appreciation of these skills. This checklist could be | | | | sometimes overlooked. |
| acquired from a counselor or social skills coach. It | | | | Most often, people tend to forget to express |
| may also be found in some books on communication | | | | gratitude for the things that were done for them. |
| and books on social graces. | | | | You should take time to say "please" and "thank you" |
| A social skills checklist can be customized. It can be | | | | to those who have taken the time to carry out their |
| designed to meet your specific needs and goals. | | | | services as you have expected them to perform. A |
| Below is a generalized social skills checklist that you | | | | kind deed earns good rewards. Your being polite and |
| may consider studying. This may serve as your aid in | | | | appreciative of their help will motivate them to |
| brainstorming ideas as to which social skills you do | | | | further improve their performance. |
| intend to observe and develop. | | | | 3. Adopt an open and inviting posture. |
| 1. How to become a good listener. | | | | Your non-verbal social skills such as your bodily |
| Listening is the most important social skill and is also | | | | movements, eye-to-eye contact and controlling |
| the hardest to observe. To improve your social skills | | | | nervous habits are vital in making other's feel at ease |
| you must be determined to meet that objective in | | | | with you. |
| the end. There is a need for discipline. In as much as | | | | Try to behave in a manner that would not be |
| social skills involve one on one communication, | | | | construed as a defensive attack but a posture that |
| listening plays a major role. | | | | would indicate a welcoming gesture. |
| You need to listen to your partner when he or she | | | | 4. Practice speaking to strangers and start |
| talks and vice versa. You should bear in mind that | | | | conversations with them. |
| they don't just want to be talked to; they also do | | | | Small talk may be very hard to evaluate, as little real |
| want to be talked with. The social skill of listening is a | | | | information may be shared in the conversation. Try |
| give and take interaction. When both parties try to | | | | to ask surface questions to strangers and listen to |
| exchange communications, it is an indication that | | | | their answers. You could be surprised at how their |
| advanced social skill is demonstrated. | | | | answers will often serve as a lead into an interesting |
| Being a good listener, you are not supposed to | | | | conversation. |
| interrupt as others speak. Never judge harshly and | | | | Social skills are hard to measure since they are not |
| try to comment back after. To make an occasional | | | | definitive or material. Thus, you need a social skills |
| quick comment is an indication that you are on the | | | | checklist handy as you evaluate yourself and how far |
| same page and you are focused on the topic being | | | | your social skills progress. |