How to improve interpersonal skills in the workplace

Hiring demand for job candidates with soft skills is intensifying. While a range of soft skills are valued by employers, the ability to build relationships inside and outside your organisation and collaborate and communicate to achieve outcomes is a universal necessity, regardless of your role or industry.

This capability requires strong interpersonal skills, or in other words, the ability to interact, get along and communicate well with others. Consciously or otherwise, you are constantly drawing on such interpersonal skills to navigate the world of work.

What are interpersonal skills?

Interpersonal skills are the behaviours you use every day to interact and communicate with others well. Interpersonal skills encompass a wide range of skills, but some of the most common are active listening, conflict resolution, communication, collaboration and emotional intelligence.

Decreased social skills in the workplace

According to the Hays Salary Guide FY25/26, the biggest challenge for employers isn’t a lack of experience or technical know-how — it’s the noticeable decline in social skills across the board. This isn’t just limited to one industry or role; it’s a widespread issue. While training and education can help teach interpersonal skills to adults, employers also need to prioritise these human skills when hiring, especially for mid-level roles.

When surveyed about the soft skills in demand, three key themes emerged:

• 82% cited people skills such as communication and interpersonal skills, people management, emotional intelligence (EQ), negotiation and coordination
• 73% pointed to adaptability and learning in times of change
• 59% spoke about creativity, critical thinking, judgment and decision-making

With technology affecting social skills and remote work reducing face-to-face  interaction, it’s never been more important to prioritise the development of human skills.

Why are interpersonal skills important in the workplace?

Interpersonal skills are the foundation of positive working relationships and a key driver of career success. Their importance spans across collaboration, adaptability, communication, and leadership.

Developing strong interpersonal skills matters for various reasons:

• Build stronger working relationships: Good interpersonal skills help employees connect with others, fostering trust and respect across teams.
• Enable effective collaboration: Those with strong people skills can work well with a range of personalities and adjust their approach based on team dynamics or stakeholder needs.
• Promote adaptability: Employees with well-rounded interpersonal skills can navigate the strengths and weaknesses of a group, adjusting their role or input accordingly.
• Support individual fulfilment: People who communicate clearly and empathetically often enjoy more rewarding professional relationships and see their ideas embraced.
• Help resolve conflict: Effective interpersonal communicators are better at managing and resolving workplace tensions, contributing to a healthier work environment.

At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic emphasised additional value in interpersonal skills in the workplace. This includes the ability to adapt to change, communicate change effectively, work well with others to pivot and develop new services or products, and lead a team successfully.

Examples of interpersonal skills

We recommend you develop a range of interpersonal skills to further your career. Examples of important interpersonal skills to earmark as part of self-improvement are active listening, conflict resolution, communication, collaboration and emotional intelligence.

Active listening

Active listening involves giving your full attention to the speaker, absorbing their message, and responding with thoughtful questions. It also means remembering what’s been said so you can take appropriate action.

Employers value this skill because they know their message will be understood and retained. As an active listener, you're also more likely to recall important details that help you do your job well.

Conflict resolution

Workplace conflict can arise from different leadership styles, clashing personalities, or opposing ideas. If not addressed, it can lead to poor morale, absenteeism, or staff turnover.

Strong interpersonal skills help resolve conflict constructively. Those who effectively manage conflict listen to all sides, identify the real issue, and communicate clearly without personal judgment. They focus on solutions and outline clear next steps for resolution.

Communication skills

Communication in the workplace comes in many forms, from spoken and written messages to non-verbal cues like body language. It also spans across platforms, including face-to-face chats, phone calls, video meetings, and emails.

To improve your communication skills, focus on:

• Knowing your audience
• Being clear and concise
• Showing empathy
• Strengthening non-verbal communication

Collaboration

Most roles require working with others to solve problems or achieve shared goals. Effective collaboration means communicating well with teammates, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other’s efforts.

It also involves setting clear goals together, being open to feedback, adapting to changing priorities, and delivering on your own responsibilities.

Emotional intelligence

Your emotions affect how you relate to others. Emotional intelligence is about managing your feelings, recognising the emotions of others, and responding appropriately.

By staying self-aware and empathetic, you can build stronger working relationships, navigate challenges calmly, and contribute to a more positive and respectful workplace.

How to improve interpersonal communication skills in the workplace

Knowing how to improve interpersonal skills will aid your career success. Given how many skills fall under the ‘interpersonal skills’ umbrella, the best place to start is by conducting an honest self-assessment. We outline other ways to improve your interpersonal skills below.

Remember though that while the range of interpersonal skills is broad, these skills do complement each other. For instance, enhancing your communication skills also enhances your collaboration skills, and vice-versa, so improving both will be a major boost to your interpersonal skills.

1. Evaluate your interpersonal skills

Start by assessing where you’re currently at. An online self-assessment can help you reflect on your strengths and pinpoint areas for improvement in communication and relationship-building. Once you have a clearer picture, you’ll be better equipped to plan your next steps.

2. Build a development plan

Use the results of your self-assessment to create a plan for growth. Identify specific skills to improve and practical ways to work on them.

For example, if you need to become a more confident public speaker, practice in front of the mirror, video camera, or supportive friends and family who can provide constructive feedback. Or, if you realise that you are prone to interrupting colleagues, consciously practice active listening in future meetings and conversations.

• Want to improve your public speaking? Try practising in front of a mirror, camera, or supportive friends who can offer feedback.
• Struggle with interrupting others? Make a conscious effort to actively listen during meetings.

Don’t limit development to the office. Community groups, sports teams or volunteering are also great ways to sharpen your people skills.

3. Undertake professional development

There are a range of professional learning courses that will sharpen your interpersonal skills. For instance, Hays Learning is only a few clicks away and provides free online training and microlearning to progress your career and skills, including your interpersonal skills.

You can also explore apps, industry associations, or social media communities focused on professional development.

4. Build interpersonal skills in the workplace

Your day-to-day work offers plenty of chances to practise interpersonal skills.

• Volunteer for cross-functional projects.
• Join social events or team activities.
• Seek out feedback from a mentor or manager.

Stay proactive and open to opportunities to grow. Small, consistent efforts lead to lasting improvement.

Importance of interpersonal skills in action

Now that you know why interpersonal skills are important and how to improve interpersonal skills, you’re ready to start putting your newfound knowledge into practice. As we know, interpersonal skills in the workplace really are the foundation for successful relationships and communication. While there are many interpersonal skills examples, by improving in the above areas of focus, you’ll start to see immediate results.

Don't forget to also promote your good interpersonal skills in your resume, cover letter and in job interviews.