In real life, we inevitably interact with all sorts of people, so learning social skills is crucial.
As the saying goes, “Forgive others, and others will forgive you.” When interacting with others, we should show them respect and learn to control our mouths, because our words can hurt people.
Social skills also require us to control our mouths, or we might “kill” someone without them even knowing.
Pointing Out Others’ Mistakes
Respect others, and others will respect you.
No one is perfect, and everyone has flaws.
When facing others’ mistakes, we should learn to point them out tactfully, rather than being too blunt, which might hurt their self-esteem.
I remember when I first started working at a company, there was a manager who was great at business, but had a flaw: he would directly criticize anyone who made a mistake, no matter who it was.
One time, during a meeting, our superior made a mistake, and he directly pointed it out, which led to a conflict, and eventually, he got fired.
In real life, we should speak with discretion when pointing out others’ mistakes, and only when we respect others will they be more willing to accept our feedback.
As the saying goes, “Save face, and save skin,” because everyone wants to save face, so we should give others respect, which is also a form of self-respect.
Don’t be too proud when interacting with others; learn to be tolerant, and you’ll earn their respect.
Many people speak without thinking, believing their every word is correct, which can lead to conflict and hurt others’ feelings.
Respecting Others’ Secrets
As Descartes said, “Respect others, and they will respect you.”
Sometimes, people share secrets with us, which means they trust us. At that moment, we shouldn’t betray their trust.
Keeping others’ secrets is a form of respect.
I had a friend who shared her deepest secret with her best friend, but her friend couldn’t keep it to herself, and soon everyone knew about it.
Their relationship eventually broke down.
This shows that learning to control our mouths and respecting others’ privacy is a quality and a form of cultivation. Don’t build your happiness on others’ pain.
Those who can control their mouths can earn more trust and support from others.
Don’t Mock Others’ Weaknesses
Don’t mock others’ scars; you haven’t experienced their pain.
Everyone has weaknesses, but everyone also has strengths. As the saying goes, “Every profession has its master,” so if you can excel in your field, you’ll become an expert.
When interacting with others, we should focus on their strengths, not their weaknesses. Learn to praise others, which is a form of respect for them and yourself. Don’t mock others’ weaknesses, as it will only hurt your relationship.
When facing others’ shortcomings, we should learn to encourage them, rather than discouraging them.
Hurting Others’ Feelings
Some people speak directly, while others speak more tactfully.
While direct speech can be good, it’s not always the case. Everyone’s emotional tolerance is different, so we should consider the art of speaking when facing different people.
When speaking, don’t hurt others’ feelings.
Learning to understand and respect others is our most basic principle. Sometimes, you might be able to handle a certain phrase, but others might not, so be mindful of protecting others’ self-esteem when speaking.
Mastering social skills is an art. Those who truly respect others will also earn respect from others. In real life, learning to speak is a skill that can help you score points in interpersonal relationships.
Learning to control your mouth is also a skill. Not everything can be said to everyone, and you should consider the occasion and the person when speaking. Only by mastering the art of speaking can you navigate interpersonal relationships with ease.
In real life, speaking is an art. We should first understand what to say and what not to say, and avoid speaking recklessly, as it can hurt not only others but also yourself. Be someone who knows how to speak, and you’ll earn more respect from others.