People Skills

Narrator: All of us have to interact with other people whether we like it or not. But this is National People Skills Month, time to improve those interpersonal communications. You have to follow the people skills rules. First, have a perfect handshake. Would you describe it as wimpy, bone crusher, or perfect?

Man 1: I guess perfect.

Narrator: OK. Give a shake. Let's see. How would you describe that?

Man 2: Wimpy.

Narrator: Wimpy? Oh. OK. I don't know. You're going to have to work on that.

Man 1: I guess so.

Narrator: Of course, being a good listener is key. A test is the old telephone game. OK. Got it?

Man 3: Got it.

Narrator: OK, so go tell him. If they have good listening skills, the original message shouldn't change at all by the time it gets to the last person. The original message: The Jenkins project will be put on hold for three weeks until Connie's digital pager returns from the shop in Ohio. Well?

Man 4: The Jenkins project will be on hold until Debbie's pager comes on.

Narrator: And it's always important to remember people's names. You know part of people skills is remembering people's names, right?

Woman: Right.

Narrator: You can do that pretty well?

Woman: Sure.

Narrator: How are you doing? What's your name?

Man 5: Charles.

Narrator: Charles.

Woman: Charles.

Narrator: Got that?

Woman: Yeah.

Narrator: Hi! What's your name?

Woman 2: Maria.

Woman: Maria.

Narrator: Got that?

Woman: Got them so far.

Narrator: Hi! What's your name?

Man 6: Edward.

Narrator: Edward.

Woman: Got it.

Narrator: What's this guy's name?

Woman: Edward.

Narrator: You Edward?

Man 5: I'm Charles.

Narrator: Oh, no! On the second one.

Narrator: What's his name?

Woman: You put me on the spot here. I don't remember.

Narrator: Being a people person isn't easy.

2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Any use is subject to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education is one of the many fine businesses of The McGraw-Hill Companies.