Your Social Skills Make Others
Feel More Comfortable

We work on social skills and social wellness skills all our lives. These competencies facilitate communication and interaction in our many environments and in our relationships. Being a good listener, being empathetic, and being kind make personal and workplace relationships stronger.

The Comfort Factor

Naturally, we want to be accepted and appreciated and we want to be comforted when we are down. As does everyone! Aiming to be our best self in all situations calls each of us differently and yet people everywhere know that having good social skills can help us comfortably navigate social situations and can help others be comfortable in our company, too.

People feel good socially when they…

Feel acknowledged and listened to.
Hear their name spoken.
See a smile on someone’s face when being addressed.
Feel as if their views are being acknowledged.
Are around people who have an open mind and aren’t critical of others.
Can be with people who are consistent in who they are, yet respectful of others who might hold different views. And, if they sense disrespect, can respectfully exit the conversation.

Brushing Up Your Social Skills

Knowing what makes you feel most comfortable when navigating our world will help you help others feel more comfortable. Every interaction you have with another person is an opportunity to practice your social skills and mindfully employ those that are most helpful to others.

Lining up your social skills habits with the intention to make people comfortable in your presence will give consistency to the way you interact in any situation.

Some personal habits to put into practice:

Actively, mindfully listen to the person you are with.
Say the person’s name while in conversation and smile.
Mindfully work to hear what is being said and what is important to the other person.
Test yourself: Am I trying to be the center of attention or am I being curious?
Don’t let your politics overtake your views of the humanness of the person whom you are with.

Making your body language friendly helps others feel comfortable in your company. Relax your body and look interested. Maintain a positive posture by standing or sitting erect with shoulders back, looking forward toward the person you are communicating with.

A friendly face always puts others at ease. Make yours appear this way by keeping your facial muscles relaxed. Having your lips curved into a slight smile and eyes alert will provide a friendly appearance. Make your smile more pronounced when you greet someone, answer the phone, or even type a text message. This practice lets your smile go to your brain, giving it the corresponding message that you are cheerful and friendly.

When others view you as a kind and helpful person, they feel more at ease and can relax within the situation. Your comfort with yourself can have a magical effect in helping others to feel good that they are there with you whatever the occasion is.

“One of the hallmarks of social wellness is being inclusive, not exclusive, with our friendship.”
~ Laurie Buchanan, Transformational Life Coach