9 Signs You Lack People Skills - MadameNoire

You might think you’re the greatest to ever do it in your industry, but does that mean you walk around puffing out your chest like you are God’s gift to your company? It’s one thing to know how good you are at what you do, but a completely different story to lack the basic manners you need to maintain your professionalism.

Some folks are just too caught up in their own shadow to see their shortcomings.

There are times in life when your skill set will get you far–and other times when you need to learn how to play on a team. If you happen to lack these basic people skills, you need to figure out how to get them…and fast.

Don’t speak to others

You might think this is a stupid people skill to mention, but my there are tons of people who lack this basic etiquette. When you are in a room, you need to at the very least say hello to other people. A simple “please” and “thank you” also wouldn’t hurt. Just as you don’t like being ignored and treated poorly, please don’t do the same to others.

Talk only about yourself

If people wanted to hear you run off all of your accomplishments and accolades, they would have asked for your resume. Please don’t be one of those people who only talks about themselves in a conversation. Inquire about the other person involved in the chat to let them know you aren’t conceited.

Talk down to others

You might want to be careful who you talk down to on your way up the ladder. You never know who will turn into your future boss. All of us should have some ounce of humility in us–or a basic respect for others where we don’t think anyone is a second-class citizen. Regardless of a person’s status, they should be treated with respect.

Read Do You Need a Slice of Humble Pie? 9 Ways You Look Down on Others

Lack patience

Can you remember back to a time when you messed up on the job? Aside from feeling incompetent and horrible, how did you respond to colleagues who were mean-spirited? Having a little patience can improve tension on the job–as well as your sanity. Being patient also comes in handy during stressful tasks that would otherwise cause strife.

Find it hard to listen to others

This certainly is a lost art considering many of us would rather be heard than listen. Make sure you give others the floor to express their ideas and opinions. Part of being a great business professional is knowing how to listen to others.

Don’t have a willingness to compromise

While you should adhere to moral convictions, this does not mean you can’t have some flexibility when it comes to your job. Are you able to compromise when working on a team setting, or does everything have to be your way or the highway? Not everything in life is going to go your way. The second you realize that, the better off you’ll be.

Are a user

At the end of the day we all make connections with other business professionals in order to advance our situations. It’s no secret. That, however, does not mean you use people to gain what you want and throw them to the side once you accomplished your goals. There needs to be give and take.

Use the wrong body language

You don’t always need to open your mouth to let others know how you feel about something or someone. How do you speak to others at work with your body language? It is inviting or dismissive?

Read Positive Body Language to Use in the Workplace

Don’t care who you piss off

It’s not about what you say, but how you say it. There’s no need to be vile with your tongue in the workplace–nothing good can come from it. Sure you’ll probably have some satisfaction putting a person in your place, but it only makes you look less mature and unprofessional.

Read How to Tastefully Leave an Argument