Relating to relationships or communication between people.
From Latin *inter-* “between” and English *personal* “relating to a person.” It developed in modern psychology to describe the space and interactions between individuals.
Interpersonal skills are the “social software” that makes human groups run smoothly. You can be brilliant alone, but weak interpersonal skills can quietly sabotage your success in almost any team setting.
Interpersonal skills have often been stereotyped as 'natural' to women and devalued compared to technical skills, which were stereotyped as male. This gendered framing has led to women being channeled into support and care roles while their interpersonal expertise was treated as less deserving of recognition or pay.
Avoid framing interpersonal skills as inherently tied to any gender; describe them as learnable, valuable competencies across all roles. When evaluating or teaching them, apply the same standards to all genders.
["relational","social","people-focused"]
Women have developed sophisticated interpersonal practices in organizing, mediation, and leadership, often sustaining institutions and movements while their contributions were labeled as 'soft skills' and undervalued.
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