Emotional Intelligence: Social Skill

Social Skill: proficiency in managing relationships and building networks; an ability to find common ground and build rapport (Goleman, 2004, p. 88). The following are key indicators of social skill. 

  • Effectiveness in leading change
  • Persuasiveness
  • Expertise in building and leading teams

Social skill refers to a person's ability to get along with others and to establish positive relationships (Griffin & Moorhead, 2007, p. 65).

 The Emotional Competence Framework: Social Skill ("EI Framework," n.d., pp. 4-6)

Influence: Wielding effective tactics for persuasion. People with this competence:

  • Are skilled at persuasion
  • Fine-tune presentations to appeal to the listener
  • Use complex strategies like indirect influence to build consensus and support
  • Orchestrate dramatic events to effectively make a point

Communication: Sending clear and convincing messages. People with this competence are:

  • Are effective in give-and-take, registering emotional cues in attuning their message
  • Deal with difficult issues straightforwardly
  • Listen well, seek mutual understanding, and welcome sharing of information fully
  • Foster open communication and stay receptive to bad news as well as good

Leadership: Inspiring and guiding groups and people. People with this competence:

  • Articulate and arouse enthusiasm for a shared vision and mission
  • Step forward to lead as needed, regardless of position
  • Guide the performance of others while holding them accountable
  • Lead by example 

Conflict management: Negotiating and resolving disagreements. People with this competence are:

  • Handle difficult people and tense situations with diplomacy and tact
  • Spot potential conflict, bring disagreements into the open, and help deescalate
  • Encourage debate and open discussion
  • Orchestrate win-win solutions 

Building bonds: Nurturing instrumental relationships. People with this competence are:

  • Cultivate and maintain extensive informal networks
  • Seek out relationships that are mutually beneficial
  • Build rapport and keep others in the loop
  • Make and maintain personal friendships among work associates

Collaboration and cooperation: Working with others toward shared goals. People with this competence are:

  • Balance a focus on task with attention to relationships
  • Collaborate, sharing plans, information, and resources
  • Promote a friendly, cooperative climate
  • Spot and nurture opportunities for collaboration

Team capabilities: Creating group synergy in pursuing collective goals. People with this competence are:

  • Model team qualities like respect, helpfulness, and cooperation
  • Draw all members into active and enthusiastic participation
  • Build team identity, esprit de corps, and commitment
  • Protect the group and its reputation, share credit 

Change catalyst: Initiating or managing change. People with this competence are:

  • Recognize the need for change and remove barriers
  • Challenge the status quo to acknowledge the need for change
  • Champion the change and enlist others in its pursuit
  • Model the change expected of others