Most of us automatically want to further develop our knowledge and our skills. Humans are naturally curious beings, seeking more and more. New horizons, new thrills, new adventures. This is what has ultimately led to not just the survival of our species, but our immense successes in technology, medicine and science.
But are there certain skills that, when practiced, make us smarter overall? According to new research, enhancements in interpersonal skills can improve our overall cognitive abilities even beyond soft skills.
In a Wall Street Journal article, author Sue Shellenbarger says, “New studies by neuroscientists shows training in certain mental skills can build the brain’s capacity to process information and solve problems. Experts say practicing those skills on the job may also help sharpen cognitive abilities.”
The article titled “How Your Job Can Make You Smarter” profiles many professionals that discuss the impact of improving various skills. According to the article “Working in a stimulating environment with a lot of other people also ‘gives people an opportunity to work out’ cognitive skills, says Cynthia Green in Montclair, N.J., a speaker and president of Total Brain Health. Research shows teachers who spend their careers in busy schools interacting with many people retain cognitive skills longer than computer programmers, who have more advanced technical skills but often work in less stimulating environments, says Dr. Green, author of ‘Your Best Brain Ever.’”
Allotting your workforce the opportunity to improve their interpersonal skills allows them the opportunity to develop and practice skills that will simultaneously improve cognitive abilities in other tasks. TRACOM offers an array of Social Intelligence programs and products to address various professional needs.
SOCIAL STYLE helps learners understand why people behave in certain ways. Some people are more facially animated and prefer a lot of human interaction while others might be less direct with eye contact and also prefer to take their time making decisions. We can observe a person’s behavioral patterns which will indicate their SOCIAL STYLE. This allows us to understand how they prefer to be treated, and as managers, what will motivate them and allow for optimal levels of interactions. Understanding SOCIAL STYLE also allows us to better understand ourselves and why we behave and react certain ways. This allows us to challenge ourselves to control our thinking and behaviors to improve our interpersonal effectiveness.
Behavioral EQ advances us to develop our emotional intelligence; skills such as emotion perception, listening and self-insight, while also giving learners the tools to utilize our emotional intelligence through behaviors – behavioral intelligence. Behavioral intelligence encompasses skills such as self-control, building relationships, and influencing others. Learn how Behavioral EQ enhances effectiveness beyond what is provided by Versatility.
Adaptive Mindset for Resilience programs teach people about the sources of their stress, their pattern of responses to stress, and practical strategies for altering these responses. They are based on decades of research on resiliency as well as new and ground-breaking research in neuroscience. Participants leave the training with insights about themselves and concrete ways to buffer themselves from workplace stressors.
We must never become complacent in our endeavors and we shouldn’t ever stop seeking to improve. While it can become easy to get into the daily grind and repeat the same patterns of behavior or job functions, or to believe we have mastered an ability, we can always challenge ourselves to be better.
Give your workforce a new challenge. Challenge them to be more effective managers, peers, and teammates. Give them the opportunity to advance in skills that will translate in any job function, promotion or task.
Read the Wall Street Journal article “How Your Job Can Make You Smarter“.
