Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
How good are your interpersonal skills? This is not just your emotional intelligence or your communication. In short, your interpersonal savvy is your ability to read situations, respond accordingly, and not react in a way that you need to follow up with an apology.
Interpersonal savvy is about being a chameleon and adapting your approach to the person or team you are working with at the moment. Engaging your brain before your mouth. It is a key skill for leaders, and it is also a key skill that leaders need to develop in their team members. That is the real skill – being interpersonally savvy, and then being able to train and coach that same skill!
Here are three actionable ways leaders can help their team members enhance their interpersonal savvy:
1. Encourage Active Listening and Empathy:
Effective interpersonal communication begins with active listening and empathy. Encourage team members to truly listen to others, understand their perspectives, and respond thoughtfully. As a leader, demonstrate and promote empathetic behaviours within the team. Encourage open discussions where everyone feels heard and valued.
By fostering a culture of empathy, team members learn to navigate diverse viewpoints and build stronger connections.
2. Provide Constructive Feedback and Coaching
Offer regular feedback sessions aimed at developing interpersonal skills. Constructive feedback helps team members understand their strengths and areas for improvement in communication and relationship-building.
Additionally, provide targeted coaching on interpersonal interactions. Role-play scenarios or organise training and workshops focused on effective communication techniques. By investing in their development, leaders can empower team members to navigate various interpersonal challenges with confidence.
3. Promote Networking and Relationship Building
Actively promote networking opportunities both within and outside the organisation. Encourage team members to attend industry events, join professional associations, or participate in cross-functional projects. Networking not only expands their professional circle but also enhances their ability to connect with diverse individuals.
Encourage informal interactions such as team lunches or virtual coffee meetings to foster relationship building within the team.
By implementing these strategies, leaders can create an environment that nurtures interpersonal savvy among team members. Developing these skills not only improves individual performance but also contributes to a more cohesive and productive team dynamic.
Let’s continue to prioritise the development of interpersonal savvy within our team.
Together, we can foster a culture of effective communication, collaboration, and growth.
Please click the image below if you’d like to chat about what leadership means to you
If you would like to learn more about Anton or The Guinea Group, please click here to book into Anton’s calendar, to:
UPGRADE your Mindset
UPSKILL your Leadership
UPLIFT your Teams