Is social skills one of the most important skills in the world?

[MagnusTheBrewer]

It seems many here appear to equate 'social skills' with the ability to talk to people you don't know. The most important aspect of social skills is the ability to communicate clearly to people you already know. I've about given up on writing skills as something professionals must have and relegated that skill set to 'nice to have.' I'm not even shocked anymore by the lack of basic writing and grammar skills amongst 'professionals.' Intelligence and education is great but, how you communicate it to others is far more important.

 

[Capt Caveman]

It seems many here appear to equate 'social skills' with the ability to talk to people you don't know. The most important aspect of social skills is the ability to communicate clearly to people you already know. I've about given up on writing skills as something professionals must have and relegated that skill set to 'nice to have.' I'm not even shocked anymore by the lack of basic writing and grammar skills amongst 'professionals.' Intelligence and education is great but, how you communicate it to others is far more important.

Social skills aren't the same as communication skills.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Social skills aren't the same as communication skills.

How do you effectively communicate if you don't understand your audiences educational, cultural or, other biases?

 

[Safeway]

I'm not even shocked anymore by the lack of basic writing and grammar skills amongst 'professionals.' Intelligence and education is great but, how you communicate it to others is far more important.

This x 1000. I was recently asked by a friend to review an important letter to be sent to a third party. These are the revisions that I had to make. Granted, I am a very skilled technical writer. I've written at least 2,000 pages of engineering-related text (thesis, reports, etc.) and at least 10,000 pages of patent-related legal text (patent specifications, litigation materials, etc.). Regardless of any additional skill I may have, there was entirely too much red ink for this to have been written by a person with a masters degree, in education no less. I had to re-word, re-work, or replace about 90% of the text in the document.

 

[Capt Caveman]

How do you effectively communicate if you don't understand your audiences educational, cultural or, other biases?

I need social skills to communicate a project plan to my team?

Again, social skills are not the same as communication skills.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I need social skills to communicate a project plan to my team?

Again, social skills are not the same as communication skills.

You didn't answer my question. How do you communicate effectively without knowing something about your audience. Perhaps you've only ever dealt with people from a similar background as yourself. However, that's a rarity today.

 

[rudeguy]

You didn't answer my question. How do you communicate effectively without knowing something about your audience. Perhaps you've only ever dealt with people from a similar background as yourself. However, that's a rarity today.

Can you give an example of the situation you are describing?

I tend to agree that social and communication skills aren't tired together.

 

[Zodiark1593]

Social skills are to doors as technical skills are to keys.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Can you give an example of the situation you are describing?

I tend to agree that social and communication skills aren't tired together.

This thread is a perfect example. On my behalf I believe I have been very clear in what I'm saying. However, on your behalf due to different background, cultural references, age, education etc. you have received my communication poorly. This is a critical aspect of communicating. The skills may differ but, they are inextricably intertwined. You need the tools of social skills to gain the information to communicate clearly.

On a side note, the intarweb culture works to further bar the type of social interaction which facilitates communication. Rather ironic, don't you think?

 

[Capt Caveman]

You didn't answer my question. How do you communicate effectively without knowing something about your audience. Perhaps you've only ever dealt with people from a similar background as yourself. However, that's a rarity today.

And you didn't answer my question. Again, social skills are different than communication skills. They can assist one another but both are not necessary to communicate properly. And I gave you a perfect example.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

And you didn't answer my question. Again, social skills are different than communication skills. They can assist one another but both are not necessary to communicate properly. And I gave you a perfect example.

Your 'perfect' example only works if your team is homogenous. If it were made up of people from around the world of differing ages, educational and cultural backgrounds, you ability to communicate would be severely hampered. I'm trying to get you to see how rare such a homogenous group is. Of course people of various backgrounds can indeed learn to work together effectively however, it takes social skills to do so.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Your 'perfect' example only works if your team is homogenous. If it were made up of people from around the world of differing ages, educational and cultural backgrounds, you ability to communicate would be severely hampered. I'm trying to get you to see how rare such a homogenous group is. Of course people of various backgrounds can indeed learn to work together effectively however, it takes social skills to do so.

Yet, my team is made up of different genders, backgrounds, etc and I don't have to tailor my project plan and communication any differently based on social factors only on job descriptions You don't truly understand what social skills are.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Yet, my team is made up of different genders, backgrounds, etc and I don't have to tailor my project plan and communication any differently based on social factors only on job descriptions You don't truly understand what social skills are.

And you're drawing conclusions from a unique singular experience of one stratified technical occupation. I have worked all over the country in various industries and, I can tell you if you disregard the social skills and factors they represent, you will experience great frustration outside your isolated group.

 

[eldorado99]

I'm with Magnus on this one.

 

[OverVolt]

I'm with Magnus on this one.

Yup

 

[Slew Foot]

The day you realize that no knows cares about what you know, they only care about how much money you can make them/how much you bribe them, the world becomes more clear.

 

[Rakehellion]

It can help with getting a job, depending on the job. Matters more in marketing and sales, less in say a technical job or an accounting job.

The best way to improve your social skills is to do it. As a nerd I forced myself into social situations. Drinking and drugs help.

It matters in tech and accounting too. Any employer would rather hire someone they know through a friend or develop a rapport with than some random off the street.

 

[sandorski]

Proper English are a important skill to.

 

[Capt Caveman]

And you're drawing conclusions from a unique singular experience of one stratified technical occupation. I have worked all over the country in various industries and, I can tell you if you disregard the social skills and factors they represent, you will experience great frustration outside your isolated group.

I know what you're saying and agree to a point but they are two different skill sets.

I gave you an example to prove that social skills and communication skills are too different things. They definitely are valuable for use in combination for most communications but they are two different skills.

 

[OverVolt]

The day you realize that no knows cares about what you know, they only care about how much money you can make them/how much you bribe them, the world becomes more clear.

Scientists sit in a broom closet until they actually invent something useful for a reason.