More often than not, education leaders are charismatic, outgoing, friendly, and approachable. They can speak with anyone in a calm, respectful, and engaging way. Educators want to work with people they like; you need to develop social skills to be the type of person that people want to be around.

How to build or sharpen your social skills

If you are an introvert like me, becoming a social butterfly may be a bit of stretch, but you don’t have to be. You just need to develop a decent set of social skills to be successful. Start off by thinking of people that seem to thrive socially. What common traits do they have? More than likely, they are the type of person that has never met a stranger and has natural charisma and, as a byproduct, comes off as bring approachable.

Now that we know the observable traits of people with good social skills, how can we develop them in ourselves? Start off by practicing a social skill that is easy to master. For instance, tomorrow, speak to everyone that you meet and ask how they are doing. Although this may not come naturally, notice the responses that you get.

Most people will speak back and ask you how you are doing in return. Many of these exchanges will be the starting points for a reciprocal conversation and a chance to learn something new about the person. Even if their next remark is about the weather, it can be used as a conversation starter.

Continue to do this for about a month, and it will begin to feel like second nature. You will gradually start to feel more outgoing and approachable, and others will see you in this way as well. As far as charisma goes, most of us have it, but we just don’t show it. As you continue your journey, you will notice that your natural personality will begin to shine through, and this is all the charisma that you will ever need.