Socially perceptive leaders have an advantage when building relationships. Social perceptiveness, sometimes called social intelligence, is understanding and navigating social situations effectively. It involves the capacity to perceive and interpret social cues, such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, and the ability to perceive and interpret the emotions of others. Social perceptiveness is essential in building and maintaining relationships, communicating effectively, and leading teams successfully.

Social perceptiveness is becoming increasingly crucial in today’s complex and interconnected world. With the increased remote work and virtual communication, social cues are not always visible or easily decipherable, making it harder to connect with others effectively. Social perceptiveness helps us bridge these gaps by enabling us to pick up on the subtle nuances of human interaction, even when communicating virtually.

Imagine a new or emerging leader has just been appointed to lead a team of employees in different parts of the world and communicate virtually. The team members are from diverse cultural backgrounds and speak different languages, making it challenging for the leader to communicate effectively and build strong relationships with them. However, by being attuned to each team member’s needs, emotions, and cultural differences, the leader can establish a strong rapport with them, build trust, and foster a positive work environment.

Based on the above scenario, a socially perceptive leader would:

1. Notice when a team member hesitates to share their ideas during a virtual meeting.
2. Use social perceptiveness to identify the potential reasons for their reluctance, such as language barriers or cultural differences.
3. Address these issues by helping the team member feel more included and valued and providing translation services or connecting the team member with a colleague who speaks their language.

Social perceptiveness can lead to better collaboration, increased productivity, and a more positive work environment. Employees can build stronger relationships and work more effectively with their colleagues by understanding and relating to others. Socially perceptive leaders can inspire and motivate their teams, increasing engagement, loyalty, and job satisfaction.

IN THE KNOW…

DeNeen K. Attard, CEO of ALA, is happy to announce that Illuminating Leadership 1.0, an on-demand 5-week training course created in collaboration with Dr. Lashun Aron-Smith, CEO of LAS Education Consulting, LLC, is coming soon!

Reserve your spot to register for Illuminating Leadership 1.0 beta testing at http://bit.ly/3nDsnJ1.

Attard Leadership Academy, LLC partners with individuals and corporations to help new and emerging leaders create and execute a strategic leadership development plan to champion change, lead teams, and gain influence in their workspace. We help our clients become more confident, engaged, and productive leaders.