Time and again we hear about very talented, capable people who don’t seem to get along with others.
Whether in a small business or large corporation, it’s not enough to just be great at what you do, but also HOW you do it. Specifically, you need to be likeable.
I’m not suggesting that everyone has to love you or invite you over for dinner. However, fostering healthy relationships with your executive team, peers, subordinates, vendors and clients alike will serve you well beyond any technical skills and talents you may have.
You may be a rock star contributor to a company, but if you can’t get along with people, your job may not be as secure as you think.
This can especially be a problem for technical leaders. Being great with their technical abilities does not necessarily translate to being great leaders or mean that they necessarily know how to get along with others.
So, just how likable are you? Answering the following questions may help you to get a better idea:
- Do you listen to understand?
- Are you confident, yet not arrogant?
- Are you receptive to constructive feedback or are you defensive?
- Do you try to take credit for everything or share credit with others?
- Do you take on responsibility or pass the blame on to others?
- Do you take into account that each person has their own unique communication style and that it’s not a one size fits all when communicating with people?
Just remember that your skills may have landed your job but how well you get along with others may determine whether you keep it!