People Skills

From Sruggle to Strenght: 7 people Skills that Changed My Client’s Life in Just 3 Sessions

Not long ago, I started working with a client who was feeling overwhelmed in her 5-year healthcare job. Although she was a skilled and hard-working professional, she often felt excluded, second-guessed by her colleagues, and unsure how to build real trust at work. We met for just 3 one-on-one coaching sessions. What happened next was amazing – not just for her, but for me too.

She came back from her shifts saying things like: ” It finally feels like I belong,” or ” I walked into work and people actually listened to me,” or ” Even the ones who ignored me before are now giving me credit.”

Here’s what we focused on – 7 practical people skills that anyone can develop:

1. Stop Assuming – Start Asking: Misunderstandings often start when we guess what others mean. Instead, ask kindly and clearly: “Just checking, did you mean…”
2. Show Confidence Without Needing Approval: Confidence isn’t loud – it’s steady, stand tall, breathe slowly, and speak clearly. You don’t need to win everyone. Just respect yourself.
3. Practice Small Acts of Respect: Simple things like saying ” Good morning,” waiting your turn, or remembering someone’s name go further than you think.”
4. Choose Curiosity Over Defence: When someone challenges you, don’t shut down. Ask: “That’s an interesting point – what made you think that?” It disarms tension.
5. Be Present and Helpful (Without Overdoing it): Don’t hide, don’t overdo. Just be there – alert, available, and supportive in a calm way. Reliability builds trust.
6. Don’t join Gossip – Change the Topic: Gossip is poison in team settings. You don’t have to fight it – just quietly redirect it: ” Let’s not get into that… anyway, how’s your shift going?”
7. Protect Your Peace: At the end of the day, you don’t control how others behave – only how you react. Learn when to let go and move on.

These tips aren’t magic – they’re practice. But when my client used them consistently, everything shifted. not because her team changed overnight, but because she changed how she responded to her team.

Now she’s stronger, calmer, and respected. That’s the power of people skills.

If you’re struggling at work and want real, honest support, I’d be happy to help.

StepsUp Careers offers 1-to-1 coaching, career advice, and real-life tools for people across Ireland and beyond.