Social Intelligence is Sweet

I feel like the titles for the 8 Ways to a Happier You series have been pretty cheesy, but that’s alright. I need something to sound creative. 🙂 We’re moving onto the sixth trait this week which is social intelligence. Here we go.

Social intelligence is one’s ability to read between the lines and pick up on the things that people don’t say out loud like the tone of their voice or their body language. Social intelligence is a person’s ability to “pick up on the gray areas of a situation” (Janes). Learning to do this can take time.

Being able to have social intelligence is important because it allows you to learn a lot about people and how they interact. Learning how to read what people don’t say can also help you make new friends and have more fun with your interactions on a daily basis.

To gain social intelligence or improve what you already have, Janes says to think of yourself as a spy bent. Your objective should be to figure out what the person you are interacting with is feeling as opposed to saying. Think about whatever is going on and try to figure out why your friend, partner, or family member is acting the way they are. When you’re trying to figure out why that particular person is acting the way they are, refrain from getting nosy or pushy. Make it apparent that you are only trying to understand what is going on and you want to be there to support that person and have a closer and more understanding relationship. Be smart with what you say and how you respond to what the person you’re interacting with says.

Actions mean more than words, and that is what social intelligence is all about. Be aware of what your friends, family, peers, and others around you are not only saying but how they are acting and what they could be feeling. This is one of the trickier traits to master, but when you do, you’re on your way to becoming a happier person. There are only two more cheesy titles to go!

Have a good week! 🙂

social intelligence

Janes, Beth. “8 Ways to a Happier You”. 2016. Print.