14 books to improve your social skills

March 23, 2024

Human beings are social beings and in fact interpersonal relationships are an important factor for our emotional well-being.

The deficit of social skills negatively affects our mental health and that's why it is necessary to acquire a series of skills that help us to live in harmony with others and, consequently, with ourselves.

Related text: "The 10 basic communication skills"

What are social abilities

Social skills are a series of skills and behaviors that we use when interacting with others, and allow that relationship to be mutually satisfactory and effective. But, What are the most important social skills?

Active listening
Assertiveness
Emotional validation
Empathy
Bargaining power
Respect
Credibility
Positive thinking
Emotional regulation
Patience

You can delve into these and more social skills in our post: "The 14 main social skills to succeed in life"

Books on social skills

When it comes to skills, it is possible to acquire them and learn them . Many books deal with this topic and provide knowledge about what are the most important social skills and how to use them.

Aware of the benefit of your domain, in this article We have prepared a list of books that do just that, help you improve social skills .

1. Interpersonal intelligence (M. Silberman and F. Hansburg)

There is a lot of talk about emotional intelligence, a concept that derives from Howard Gardner's conception of multiple intelligences. Now, a no less important concept is that of interpersonal intelligence, which also derives from the latter, that is, from Gardner's theory.

You may be interested: "Howard Gardner: biography of the American psychologist"
To know more: "Interpersonal intelligence: definition and tips to improve it"

Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to relate to others, to control our emotions. Also, doing it in an empathic and assertive way. One of the books that delves into this topic is that of Silberman and Hansburg. A work full of practical resources, which help improve self-awareness and relationship skills with other individuals . It is a great text that uses a direct language and includes self-assessments to know if you have learned with the content of the reading.

You can buy it here.

2. Ideas that stick (Chip Heath and Dan Heath)

Although we sometimes think that we are communicating with others correctly, our message may not reach the other interlocutor the way we believe.

Communicating properly is an art, and there are people who do it really well. This text allows knowing, through social psychology, 6 important points on how to communicate ideas efficiently. This will be useful to get the most out of your conversations .

You can buy it in this link.

3. Speak fluently (Alan Garner)

This is another one of those essential books on interpersonal communication , because it helps you to know and efficiently use the best techniques to start and maintain an interesting, stimulating and productive conversation.

In addition, it allows you to know how to deal with criticism and how to handle manipulation in a polite and elegant manner. You can not lose this.

Buy it here

4. Emotional intelligence (Daniel Goleman)

Social and interpersonal skills are an important part of emotional intelligence . Now, in order to relate effectively, it is also necessary that we be emotionally intelligent at the individual level. Knowledge about the emotions of oneself and of others, and especially emotional regulation, are key to our relationships with others are healthy and lasting.

This book will provide you with all the knowledge you need to improve your relationships with other people.

Buy it here

5. Just listen! (Mark Goulston)

Active listening is one of the most important social skills, because it allows us to interpret not only the verbal language of the person with whom we interact, but also their non-verbal language. Therefore, it is not the same to hear that listening and communicating is not talking all the time. Communication also includes, for example, understanding the needs of others or validating them emotionally.

Related article: "Active listening: the key to communicating with others"

This fascinating book will let you know why active listening and empathy are so important , and they are one of the secrets of the great interlocutors.

You can buy it here.

6. The power of introverts (Susan Cain)

Introversion and shyness are not the same, although some use these terms indistinctly.And although not everyone thinks about it, introverts can also communicate effectively and have healthy interpersonal relationships. This work delves into this possibility, taking a tour of the most important aspects of the authentic potential of people with this personality trait.

If you are an introvert, you can also be sociable and communicate better. You can see it with your own eyes through this work .

You can buy it in this link.

7. Crucial conversations (Kerry Patterson)

Do you want to improve the way you communicate? Do you want to have interpersonal relationships with fewer conflicts? So, this book is what you need. Because we all know that when we relate to other people difficulties may arise. Interpersonal relationships are not always easy.

That is why, in this circumstance, it is necessary to possess key interpersonal skills to negotiate and to learn to overcome difficulties in the most appropriate way.

You can buy it here.

8. Body language (Allan Pease and Barbara Pease)

The non-verbal language represents almost 70% of the information we send to our interlocutor when we make communicative contact with other people. Therefore, it is extremely important to be aware that non-verbal language is just as important as verbal language and, unfortunately, we tend to ignore it.

This book reminds you of its importance and gives you the keys to improve this type of language.

You can buy it here.

9. The myth of charisma (Olivia Fox Cabane)

People with charisma detach a magnetism towards other people and have great success in their interpersonal relationships . Scientists have tried to decipher what characteristics these people present and why they are so valued by others.

In this book you will find theoretical and practical knowledge on this subject. This way you can improve your relationships with others.

Buy it here

10. Enrich your personality (Florence Littauer)

The author of this work is well known in the circle of couples therapy and thanks to her experience she has been able to learn more about what happens when people relate to others with or without success.

In addition, she is an expert in personality, and with this text helps you to improve the different facets of your life so you can relate better with others .