<p>How do I improve my people skills? I grew up in a family that didn't emphasize this, but I want to learn because I realize how important it is.</p>
<p>My relationships with people are awkward and I'm known as an awkward person; I have trouble finding what to say in conversations in general.</p>
<p>Are there services that specifically target this?</p>
<p>Join clubs that are either small, or that share your interests. That way, you can connect with others more easily.</p>
<p>Practice, practice, practice! </p>
<p>For me, I found the best luck at first by talking about the things I care about and am intimately familiar with. For instance, talking to people I already know about my research. My enthusiasm for the topic translates well into an engaging conversation because it gets the other person interested. As mentioned above, joining clubs or groups that share your interests is great because you can talk about the topic at hand and know the others have similar interests.</p>
<p>Being a good listener is invaluable. If you listen well, you can ask insightful questions and just keep the other person talking without it feeling like 20 questions. That will take some pressure off you to have interesting stories of your own. </p>
<p>It might sound silly, but first date advice (regarding conversation) is just as applicable to getting to know anyone. It’s easy enough to find things like lists of good questions, good conversation topics, body language, etc. There are many, many resources out there on the internet and in bookstores. Read up and put it to practice. Persistence is the key.</p>
<p>Grad students are naturally awkward anyway ;)</p>
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<p>I second this. Being a good listener is probably the best thing possible for anyone who doesn’t have a ton of interesting stories of their own to share. Most people are more than happy to be able to share their thoughts and opinions with an attentive listener.</p>
<p>Agreed with those above - LISTEN! If you do not have anything specific that you need to convey, listen to the other person and try to draw out as much as you can about their opinion and position. This shows interest and thoughtfulness, and helps to esnure that the other person is interested and invested in the conversation. Just make sure that you are listening actively, so that you will remember what they said later.</p>
<p>I used to be quite painfully shy, especially as a kid. What got me over it (now I’m pretty outgoing, not socially akward at all) was being forced to communicate with strangers, especially those who might intimidate me…once I got to talking to them, I found out it wasn’t such a big deal. This included being in front desk/reception positions, teaching all ages (kids to adults), and taking public speaking classes. The last two really got me over my shyness and akwardness. Also, your self-confidence has a lot to do with it. Just remember that you have a lot to offer, and that you’re just as good as anybody you talk to. Also, don’t think you’re being judged, because you’re not. People you talk to usually first look for your good qualities - it isn’t until you force them to see your not so good qualities - such as shyness - that they start to make misconceptions. </p>
<p>So perhaps you can do something (such as volunteer work) where you are forced to be in a leadership position that makes you communicate with a lot of people, and where you have to take charge and direct those around you. This will also build your self-confidence.</p>
<p>‘Grad students are naturally awkward anyway’</p>
<p>really?</p>
<p>^ You dug up a four month old thread to say really? :)</p>
<p>^well, it is relevant to me since i will be a grad student soon</p>
<p>get a girlfriend</p>
<p>Grad students aren’t rich and women cost a lot of money.</p>
<p>…lol</p>
<p>hence if you can get a stable gf meaning your PEOPLE SKILLS is probably epic enough for most situations ;-)</p>