“Social skills” has several close alternatives, but some related terms emphasize only one part of the idea. Useful choices include Interpersonal skills, People skills, and Communication skills; the best term depends on the precise meaning you want.
Which Term Fits the Meaning You Need?
- Interpersonal skills
- People skills
- Communication skills
- Relational skills
- Social competence
- Interpersonal competence
- Rapport-building skills
- Relationship-building skills
- Active listening
- Empathy
- Emotional intelligence
- Teamwork
- Conflict resolution
- Networking skills
- Conversational skills
Interpersonal skills
“Interpersonal skills” is a neutral option when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence.
Example: The role requires strong interpersonal skills, particularly when working with clients.
People skills
Use “People skills” when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence; it gives the wording a neutral tone.
Example: The role requires strong people skills, particularly when working with clients.
Communication skills
“Communication skills” works well when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence, particularly when you want a neutral expression.
Example: The role requires strong communication skills, particularly when working with clients.
Relational skills
This neutral wording is useful when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence: “Relational skills.”
Example: The role requires strong relational skills, particularly when working with clients.
Social competence
“Social competence” is a neutral option when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence.
Example: The role requires strong social competence, particularly when working with clients.
Interpersonal competence
Use “Interpersonal competence” when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence; it gives the wording a neutral tone.
Example: The role requires strong interpersonal competence, particularly when working with clients.
Rapport-building skills
“Rapport-building skills” works well when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence, particularly when you want a neutral expression.
Example: The role requires strong rapport-building skills, particularly when working with clients.
Relationship-building skills
This neutral wording is useful when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence: “Relationship-building skills.”
Example: The role requires strong relationship-building skills, particularly when working with clients.
Active listening
“Active listening” is a neutral option when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence.
Example: The role requires strong active listening, particularly when working with clients.
Empathy
Use “Empathy” when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence; it gives the wording a neutral tone.
Example: The role requires strong empathy, particularly when working with clients.
Emotional intelligence
“Emotional intelligence” works well when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence, particularly when you want a neutral expression.
Example: The role requires strong emotional intelligence, particularly when working with clients.
Teamwork
This neutral wording is useful when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence: “Teamwork.”
Example: The role requires strong teamwork, particularly when working with clients.
Conflict resolution
“Conflict resolution” is a neutral option when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence.
Example: The role requires strong conflict resolution, particularly when working with clients.
Networking skills
Use “Networking skills” when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence; it gives the wording a neutral tone.
Example: The role requires strong networking skills, particularly when working with clients.
Conversational skills
“Conversational skills” works well when referring to interpersonal abilities or to specific skills that contribute to social competence, particularly when you want a neutral expression.
Example: The role requires strong conversational skills, particularly when working with clients.
A Quick Note on the Meaning of “Social Skills”
Terms such as “interpersonal skills” and “people skills” are broad alternatives to “social skills.” Others, including empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution, are component skills rather than exact synonyms.