Interpersonal skills are critical for success in both personal and professional settings. To evaluate your own interpersonal skills, it is important to reflect on your communication style, your ability to listen and understand others, and your capacity to work in a team.
To evaluate your interpersonal skills, ask yourself the following questions:
- How do I communicate with others?
Do I use clear and concise language?
Do I actively listen to others and respond appropriately?
Related: Active Listening (Techniques, Examples, Tips) - How do I handle conflict?
Do I approach disagreements with an open mind and a willingness to compromise?
Or do I become defensive and confrontational?
Related: How to Choose a Conflict Management Style? [5 Styles with Examples] - How do I work in a team?
Am I able to collaborate effectively with others, share ideas, and work towards a common goal?
Or do I tend to work independently and struggle to work with others?
Related: 30 Examples of Teamwork Self Evaluation Comments - How do I manage my emotions?
Am I able to regulate my emotions and remain calm under pressure?
Or do I become easily frustrated or overwhelmed?
Related: How to Cultivate Self-Awareness (10 Tips)
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) [Examples, Tips]
By honestly answering these questions, you can gain insight into your interpersonal strengths and weaknesses. Once you identify areas for improvement, you can take steps to develop your skills and become a more effective communicator, collaborator, and team player. Related: 60 Self-Performance Review Goals Examples
Examples of Interpersonal Skills Self-Evaluation Comments
Examples of positive comments
- I am an effective communicator and am able to clearly articulate my thoughts and ideas to others.
- I am a good listener and make an effort to understand others’ perspectives before responding.
- I am able to build strong relationships with others and am able to work collaboratively towards common goals.
- I am able to effectively manage conflicts and disagreements in a constructive and respectful manner.
- I am able to give and receive feedback in a way that is constructive and helps improve performance.
- I am able to adapt my communication style to different audiences and situations.
- I am able to express empathy and understanding towards others, even in difficult situations.
- I am able to effectively manage my emotions and remain calm under pressure.
- I am able to effectively negotiate and find solutions that work for all parties involved.
- I am able to effectively delegate tasks and responsibilities to others.
- I am able to effectively manage my time and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
- I am able to effectively lead and motivate a team towards achieving common goals.
- I am able to effectively manage and resolve conflicts within a team.
- I am able to effectively communicate and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds.
- I am able to effectively manage and resolve customer complaints and issues.
- I am able to effectively build and maintain professional relationships with colleagues and clients.
Examples of comments that indicate a need for improvement
- I tend to interrupt others when they are speaking, and I need to work on actively listening to them.
- I struggle to express empathy towards others, and I need to work on being more understanding of their perspectives and feelings.
- I tend to avoid conflict, and I need to work on being more assertive in expressing my opinions and ideas.
- I struggle to give and receive feedback effectively, and I need to work on being more open to constructive criticism.
- I tend to dominate conversations and discussions, and I need to work on giving others a chance to speak and contribute.
- I struggle to adapt my communication style to different audiences and situations, and I need to work on being more flexible.
- I tend to get defensive when receiving feedback, and I need to work on accepting feedback without becoming emotional.
- I struggle to delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively, and I need to work on trusting others to take on important tasks.
- I tend to be disorganized and struggle to manage my time effectively, and I need to work on prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.
- I struggle to work in a team environment and tend to work independently, and I need to work on collaborating effectively with others.
Example Paragraph (Positive)
“Upon reflecting on my interpersonal skills, I am proud to say that I am an effective communicator and am able to clearly articulate my thoughts and ideas to others. I am also a good listener and make an effort to understand others’ perspectives before responding. I am able to build strong relationships with others and am able to work collaboratively towards common goals. Overall, I believe that my interpersonal skills are a strength, and I am committed to continuing to develop and improve them.”
Example Paragraph (Areas of Improvement)
“Upon reflecting on my interpersonal skills, I believe that I am an effective communicator and am able to clearly articulate my thoughts and ideas to others. However, I do recognize that I tend to interrupt others when they are speaking, and I need to work on actively listening to them. I also tend to avoid conflict, and I need to work on being more assertive in expressing my opinions and ideas. Overall, I believe that I have strong interpersonal skills, but there are areas where I can improve, and I am committed to working on these areas to become a more effective communicator and collaborator.”
Tips for Effective Interpersonal Skills Self-Evaluation
- Be honest with yourself: It’s important to be honest with yourself when evaluating your interpersonal skills. Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses without judgment or criticism.
- Use specific examples: Use specific examples to illustrate your interpersonal skills. Think about past interactions with others and how you communicated, collaborated, and resolved conflicts.
- Seek feedback from others: Ask for feedback from trusted friends, family members, or colleagues. They may have insights into your interpersonal skills that you may not have considered.
- Reflect on your nonverbal communication: Nonverbal communication, such as body language and tone of voice, can have a significant impact on how others perceive you. Reflect on how you present yourself to others and how you can improve your nonverbal communication. Related: Effective Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace (Examples)
- Set goals for improvement: Based on your self-evaluation, set specific goals for improving your interpersonal skills. Identify areas where you need to improve, and develop a plan for how you will achieve your goals. Related: 60 Self-Performance Review Goals Examples
- Practice active listening: Active listening is a crucial component of effective interpersonal communication. Practice active listening by giving your full attention to the person you are speaking with and responding in a way that shows you have understood their message. Related: Active Listening (Techniques, Examples, Tips)
- Be open to feedback: Be open to feedback from others, even if it is difficult to hear. Feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and help you become a better communicator and collaborator. Related: How to Give Effective Feedback (and Avoid Mistakes)
Some strategies for improving your interpersonal skills include practicing active listening, seeking feedback from others, attending workshops or training sessions, and seeking out opportunities to work in a team environment. With dedication and effort, you can develop strong interpersonal skills that will serve you well in all areas of your life.
Related: Self Evaluation Examples [Complete Guide]