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10C h a p t e r

Competency #5—
People Skills

Your understanding of people and what motivates them is a power-
ful attribute in the business world. “People skills” is a vague term that
covers a broad range of interpersonal abilities, including how you treat
others and how you expect to be treated. But it hinges on one very
important talent—the ability to communicate well, whether you are
buying and selling goods and services, or solving problems, or serving
your fellow man.

For instance, knowing how to adjust your communication style to
suit the personalities of customers or co-workers is an asset that inter-
viewers will be looking for, especially through competency-based ques-
tions. So, how you react to the interviewer also will heavily influence that
person’s perception of your adaptability in the workplace. And being flex-
ible is especially important in a global economy in which customers,
clients, and business associates have many choices with whom to do busi-
ness. The more pleasant you are to deal with, the more interest others will
have in conducting business with you and the more benefit you will bring
to the company you represent.

The fifth core competency is people skills, and those include a team
orientation, an interest in customer service, and solid communications
skills.

American Management Association
www.amanet.org