An individual who is characterized by social intelligence is a person who can understand how others feel and intuitively knows what to say in different situations. It may be considered a "human ability", but in fact what these people really possess is known as social intelligence.
The theory of social intelligence was first popularized by the American psychologist Edward Thorndike in 1920.
He defined it as "The ability to understand and manage men and women, boys and girls, to act wisely in human relations." No one is born with social intelligence, because the latter includes a set of skills that the individual learns over time.
Signs of social intelligence
Effective listening: A person who possesses social intelligence does not simply listen to respond, but pays attention to what the other person is saying.
Conversational Skills: They have exceptional conversational skills and can talk to absolutely everyone. They are tactful, adaptable, humorous, and remember details about people, which makes conversation enjoyable.
They care about the impression they make on others: Socially intelligent people value the impression they make on other people, and this characteristic is considered one of the most complex elements of social intelligence.
How to increase social intelligence
Pay attention to the people around you: Socially intelligent people are observant and pay attention to the people they surround themselves with. If you see someone who has good interpersonal skills, try to see how they act and what they say.
Work on increasing your emotional intelligence: Although similar to social intelligence, emotional intelligence is more about how you control your emotions and how you relate to others. An emotionally intelligent person can recognize and control negative feelings, such as frustration or anger, when in a certain social setting.
Respect cultural differences: Seek information about cultural differences so you can understand them. A person with social intelligence understands that others may react depending on their upbringing and culture.
Practice active listening: Develop your social intelligence by working on communication skills — which requires active listening. This means that you should not interrupt others, but listen to them until the end.
Value the important people in life: People with social intelligence have deep relationships with people who are meaningful to them. Pay attention to the emotions of your spouse and children, friends, co-workers and colleagues. If you ignore the people closest to you, you will have a hard time connecting with them.
