In a recent session of Business Builders Round Table our discussion topic was people skills. In his book Leadership Excellence Pat Williams writes that those in leadership need to have people skills. But what exactly are people skills? It sounds pretty unspecific to me. How would you describe people skills? A little help here! Leadership is the ability to accomplish goals through other people. Leaders are able to leverage themselves by training, motivating and rewarding others to do the work that needs to get done. That’s why leaders need people skills. But what does a list of people skills look like? Pat Williams gives us a convenient list that leaders should keep in mind: Be visible and available. This takes time, and can be inconvenient. It’s a tough one!

• Be engaged in listening. Active listening, not just telling. One great way to be engaged is to ask questions, like, “What do you think?” Next, “How would you make the call on this one?” You may get a better solution than you could come up with at the spur of the moment. It also may provide a “teachable” moment.
• Empower your people. Plug them into the problem solving process, whatever it may be. Some call it building equity with your direct reports.
• Delegate. Give employees opportunities to develop their own skills in problem solving. Keep in mind that to delegate is to create an environment where people are free to fail, as well as succeed.
• Don’t avoid conflict – manage it. Encourage unfiltered discussion. When there is tension, defuse it by bringing it into the open. Quash hidden agendas.
• Tell your people the truth. Bad news does not get better with age.
• And lastly, if you can accept your people, foibles and all, their strengths and even their weaknesses, all other people skills will come naturally. Some would call this agape love. I have worked with some people that I found hard to love. But I could appreciate them, wish the best for them, and encourage them. Sensitivity and empathy are two other words I think of.  Like family I guess.

Well, there you have it. Not just a list of things called people skills, but a list of things to do in order to positively influence the people around you. Some would call it leadership!

Check out Pat Williams’ great book: