Improving your interaction skills

Most people feel uncomfortable starting conversations with people they don’t know but did you know that many people feel equally uncomfortable having conversations in a non-work situations with people we know on the job? Some people always seem to be comfortable in every setting, on the work floor, in the meeting and in the company party.
Companies are always looking for individuals with “excellent interaction skills”, a talent that is equated with leadership and managerial skills. People with these skills have an advantage, they are more lively to get the deal done, gain favors from others and in a personal situation, they are likely to gain trust and develop loyal friendships.
If you don’t think you have this quality, here are a few pointers that can help you become more engaging, more memorable, more confident and more trustworthy.
Shake hands- Get in the habit of being first to stick out your hand to say hello or to introduce yourself. If an introduction always include your first and last name.
Remember names- This is an essential business skill. People love to be called by name. Find a technique to learn the names of people you meet

Take time to get to know others first. Remember, people don’t care about you until the know you care about them. We all have a tendency to want to tell others what we know rather that hearing the other person out. You can show your interest by having good eye contact, nodding your head, and by asking questions.
Smile -We often show our interest or lack of interest in meeting new people by our facial expression, but putting a smile on your face is powerful communications tool. Smiling transmits happiness, friendliness, warmth, liking. If you smile frequently you will be perceived to be likable, friendly warm and approachable.
Body Posture- Standing erect but not rigid, and leaning slightly forward communicates that you are approachable receptive and friendly. Mirroring is a technique where you subtly mimic the other person’s physical behaviors. People send and receive non-verbal signals all the time and by mirroring the positive behaviors of the other person we are non-verbally showing our approval. Mirroring involves synchronizing your body language such as posture, gestures to match those of the person you are speaking. Ability to do this helps develops rapport and gain trust.
These few pointers can help you on the job and in social occasions. Get in the habit of finding one tidbit from the news that you can use to start any conversation and approach each communication interactions as an opportunity to learn something about someone you did not know.