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“Choose Your Own Path”: Part 2 of a 8-Part Series on Professional Growth People Skills Matter More Than You Think
By Dr Vincent Chian, Provost, University College Fairview
Characters in the articles are fictitious and are only used to exemplify the concepts in the articles.
If you’ve ever sat in a team meeting and thought, “This would be simple if people weren’t so complicated,” you’re not alone. While many educators focus on subject expertise, lesson planning, and data analysis, they often underestimate the power of interpersonal skills. Yet, over and over, research shows that having strong people skills is a game-changer for career success—especially in the field of education, where collaboration, communication, and empathy drive almost everything we do. Today, in the second installment of our “Choose Your Own Path” series, we’ll explore why people skills can be the critical link between staying average and truly excelling.
Why People Skills Are Non-Negotiable
Collaborations Is Key
Picture a faculty lounge where teachers complain about upcoming standard tests, parent demands, or district policies. Unless the team knows how to communicate effectively, those discussions rarely solve problems. A 2021 study in the Journal of Educational Leadership revealed that 68% of teachers credit strong communication as the top factor in productive team environments (Hu and Sanchez 112–130). In other words, you can be an outstanding planner, but if you can’t convey your ideas clearly, your skill set may stay hidden or underappreciated.
Emotional Intelligence Matters
Emotional intelligence (EQ) includes the ability to recognize your own emotions, empathize with others, and handle interpersonal dynamics gracefully. Think about it: parents, administrators, and students all come with varied feelings and perspectives. Being able to defuse tension or boost morale can make or break your school climate. A 2020 survey from the Teaching and Learning Review found that educators with higher EQ scores were 39% more likely to take on leadership roles (O’Malley 56–74). This shows how emotional intelligence shapes career trajectories.
Adaptability in Rapidly Changing World
New technology, shifting curriculum requirements, and evolving student needs mean that you, as an educator, must adapt. Teamwork often makes this transition smoother—provided you have the communication skills to align everyone. A recent analysis from the International Education Forum noted that teachers who scored highly in adaptability measures also rated themselves as 45% more satisfied in their roles (Chen et al. 201–218). And guess what helps you adapt faster? Positive relationships and open communication with your peers.
When Technical Expertise Isn’t Enough
A Surprise Reality Check
Imagine Mr. Robinson, the go-to math teacher who solves the toughest equation in minutes. Students respect his knowledge. However, his abrupt manner irritates colleagues, and he often belittles new initiatives. Despite his brilliance, he gets overlooked for committee leadership because people find him difficult to work with. A 2019 study in Educational Administration Quarterly reported that over 60% of hiring managers in schools considered “people-oriented skills” to be just as vital as technical teaching expertise (Garcia and Liu 144–163).
Conflict Resolutions in Daily Encounters
Even the best schools face disputes—maybe about teaching methods, resource allocation, or scheduling. Handling these conflicts isn’t just about “being nice”; it’s about guiding conversations toward constructive solutions. A teacher who develops rapport and communicates clearly can de-escalate tense discussions far more effectively than someone who only relies on protocol. A 2018 report from the Global Teacher Communication Survey found that educators who practiced active listening and empathy strategies resolved 75% of conflicts faster (Nakamura 77–93).
Practical Strategies to Improve Your People Skills
1.Practice Active Listening
Active listening is more than nodding politely. It involves giving undivided attention, asking clarifying questions, and paraphrasing what you hear. For instance, if a fellow teacher says, “I’m overwhelmed by the new online grading system,” you might respond, “It sounds like you’re concerned about the time it takes. Is that correct?” This approach conveys respect, encourages open sharing, and can quickly surface solutions. A 2020 paper in the European Journal of Teacher Development indicates that teachers who practiced active listening during team meetings were 31% more effective at coordinating lesson plans (Smith 89–102).
2.Cultivate Empathy
Empathy is the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. Remember that your colleagues and students have personal pressures outside school. Simple gestures—like checking on how a coworker is doing after a challenging day—can build significant goodwill. Empathy also helps in parent-teacher interactions: try stepping into a parent’s shoes when they seem upset about grades or policies. Demonstrating genuine care helps foster trust.
3.Adapt Communications Style
Not everyone processes information the same way. Some colleagues prefer brief emails with bullet points, while others need a friendly face-to-face chat. For parents or students, you may have to adjust your tone, speak slower, or provide visuals if language is a barrier. Adapting your style to your audience’s comfort level shows respect and maximizes clarity. A 2021 study in Educational Psychology Review revealed that teachers who varied their communication style reported 28% higher engagement from both students and parents (Miller and Bartley 213–230).
4.Practise “Team Mindset”
Schools function like ecosystems: each role influences the success of the whole. Embrace the mindset that you’re not just a lone teacher but part of a collective. That might mean sharing lesson plans, covering for a colleague who’s out sick, or simply pitching in when the school organizes events. This sense of unity creates a network of support—both practically and emotionally.
Building Bridges Instead of Walls
A Short Fictional Snapshot
Clarissa, a first-year teacher at Sunrise Elementary, had impeccable lesson plans but rarely connected with her peers. She found staff meetings tedious and often left right away. When faced with a classroom crisis—her entire reading group struggled with comprehension—Clarissa felt isolated. Only after reaching out to a veteran teacher, Ms. Grant, did she realize how much better solutions emerged when they collaborated. They devised a buddy-reading system across classes, leading to a 20% improvement in reading fluency according to their mid-semester assessments.
(Characters in the article are fictitious and are only used to exemplify the concepts in the article.)
Tangible Outcomes
Collegiality can speed up progress. Ms. Grant offered insights and classroom hacks that Clarissa, despite her strong credentials, hadn’t encountered. When you choose to build bridges, your range of resources and ideas expands exponentially. This fosters a supportive environment where everyone benefits, especially students.
The Consequences of Ignoring People Skills
Missed Opportunities
Plenty of ambitious teachers get stuck because of poor people skills. Imagine an interview panel evaluating two candidates for an instructional coach position. Both have strong subject knowledge, but Candidate A is approachable, collaborative, and empathetic, whereas Candidate B is stand-offish. A 2022 recruitment report from the National Association of School Administrators found that 74% of schools placed “interpersonal communication” among their top three hiring criteria (Diaz and Redding 58–79). Candidate A wins almost every time.
Emotional Toll
Tension, misunderstandings, and unresolved conflict drain emotional energy. Teachers who feel isolated or misunderstood are at higher risk for burnout. By focusing on developing people skills, you can mitigate these stressors and create a more sustainable teaching experience for yourself and a better environment for students.
Involving Students in the People-Skills Equation
Modeling Good Communication
Students observe your interactions with colleagues and adapt those behaviors themselves. Whether it’s how you handle a staff disagreement or how you welcome a parent’s comment, they learn what healthy communication looks like. A 2019 study in the Child Development Journal showed that students who perceived their teachers as good communicators were 63% more likely to adopt respectful conflict resolution tactics among peers (Reynolds 31–47).
Encouraging Peer Collaboration
Group projects or class discussions not only teach content but also hone social skills. When you incorporate roles like “discussion leader,” “recorder,” or “timekeeper,” students learn to cooperate. This shapes the classroom climate, reducing behavior issues and enhancing learning outcomes.
Conclusions: It’s About Impact
Strong people skills expand your influence in ways that mere expertise can’t. When you handle tough conversations respectfully, adapt your communication to different audiences, and show genuine empathy, you elevate the entire school culture. This is where true leadership emerges—leadership not necessarily tied to a formal title, but to real impact.
In our next installment of the “Choose Your Own Path” series, we’ll tackle why hard work in silence might not get you the recognition you deserve. For now, remember: your ability to build and maintain productive relationships isn’t a side skill. It’s the very engine that propels both you and your colleagues forward in this ever-evolving field of education.
References (MLA)
- Chen, Q., et al. “Adaptability and Teacher Satisfaction in a Changing Educational Landscape.” International Education Forum, vol. 24, no. 2, 2022, pp. 201–218.
- Diaz, A., and P. Redding. “Recruitment Criteria and the Rising Need for Soft Skills in Education.” National Association of School Administrators Journal, vol. 16, no. 3, 2022, pp. 58–79.
- Garcia, E., and Y. Liu. “Beyond Technical Expertise: What Principals Look For.” Educational Administration Quarterly, vol. 55, no. 2, 2019, pp. 144–163.
- Hu, T., and R. Sanchez. “Teacher Communication and Team Effectiveness.” Journal of Educational Leadership, vol. 17, no. 1, 2021, pp. 112–130.
- Miller, T., and A. Bartley. “Flexible Communication Styles and Teacher-Student Engagement.” Educational Psychology Review, vol. 33, no. 4, 2021, pp. 213–230.
- Nakamura, H. “Conflict Resolution Skills in Modern Classrooms.” Global Teacher Communication Survey, vol. 12, no. 3, 2018, pp. 77–93.
- O’Malley, M. “Emotional Intelligence as a Predictor of Teacher Leadership.” Teaching and Learning Review, vol. 29, no. 2, 2020, pp. 56–74.
- Reynolds, D. “Teacher Communication and Student Conflict Resolution.” Child Development Journal, vol. 48, no. 3, 2019, pp. 31–47.
- Smith, C. “Active Listening in Teacher Collaboration.” European Journal of Teacher Development, vol. 45, no. 1, 2020, pp. 89–102.
“Choose Your Own Path”: Part 1 of a 8-Part Series on Personal Responsibility in Education
“Choose Your Own Path”: Part 8 of a 8-Part Series
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