No matter how well you do in an exam, if you are an average student or a brilliant one — what really matters today is how good you are with your interpersonal skills.
Take the case of Gopal. He is great friends with some of the boys in his neighbourhood who are younger than him. Gopal has found that they are rather weak in chemistry and so he has volunteered to teach them. Apart from preparing the lessons, Gopal has to translate them into student-friendly language and constantly motivate his ‘pupils’ to make them feel confident and interested in what they’re doing. And because this is something Gopal has not done before, he discovers it’s helped his interpersonal skills. How? Because he has made decisions, motivated others, worked in a group and been a mentor for his friends.
Arti is a member of the school’s drama club. The club is planning a play and wants to do a small workshop first. Arti volunteers to be coordinator. She gets a few students to make posters announcing the play and tries to convince a few teachers to talk at the workshop.
With this activity, Arti has learnt the art of communication, networking, teamwork and leadership. All very important interpersonal skills.
These are only two examples of how you too can improve your interpersonal skills. Think of a few more and put them into practice — they will stand you in very good stead!