Self-Management, Social Awareness + Relationship Management

Name: Nielsen Associates Executive Search
Address: 1377 Motor Parkway LL-5, Islandia, NY, 11749, US
Telephone: (631) 582-4010

Lori Broskett • Sep 03, 2020

9 Modern Skills Everyone Should Be Hiring For

We're excited to share a second preview of our new eBook, 9 Modern Skills Everyone Should be Hiring . If you missed our first sneak peek, you can catch up here.

Our hope is that hiring managers will be able to find talent equipped to navigate the dynamic business landscape that we find ourselves in - for success in the modern workplace. Read on.

4 | Self-Management

What is it:

In our first installment, we defined self-awareness as a key component of Emotional Intelligence , and we explained how important it is as a professional skill. Self-management takes this definition further. People with self-management skills are self-regulators. They use the awareness of their emotions to actively, mindfully, and strategically choose what they say and what they do. They know there’s a ripple effect when expressing emotion, and they understand when to act and react —and when not to. In emotional, stressful or challenging situations, they “take a deep breath” and “count to ten.” They listen actively, analyze, and then respond thoughtfully and objectively.

Why it matters:

Companies who place a strong emphasis on leadership, risk management, and customer experience look for employees who are proficient at recognizing and managing their emotions. Employees with self-management skills are goal-oriented, big-picture thinkers who balance reason and emotion. They patiently maintain focus on business objectives, resist gossip, handle conflict effectively, and infuse professionalism into the work environment.

How to spot it on an interview:

How do you handle it when a client or team member expresses frustration or negative emotions during an interaction?
Here’s a hypothetical. You’ve sent your boss several emails regarding a project assignment that requires her support and approval. She hasn’t responded to your emails (it’s been over a week) and when you stopped by her office a few times, she waved her hand, indicating it was not a convenient time to talk. How does the situation make you feel? What would you do? And how would you address the issue with your boss?
Tell me about a time when you were around a group of co-workers who were gossiping about other employees. How do you handle this scenario?
Tell us about a time when you received negative feedback; How did it make you feel? How did you respond?

5| Social Awareness/Empathy

Emotional intelligence is more than recognizing and managing your own emotions. It also has to do with identifying, recognizing and understanding the emotions of others. This is known as social awareness - and it’s a pre-requisite for developing and managing professional relationships and leading individuals and groups. People with social awareness recognize emotional cues when they present themselves, and they listen and observe to accurately pick up on the emotions of others and understand what’s going on with them. They have a greater ability to approach situations appropriately, with empathy, and they communicate with a high degree of sensitivity.

Why it matters:

Socially aware employees work well with clients and other team members, who appreciate their ability to relate. They are often well-liked, well-respected and influential members of an organization.

How to spot it on an interview:

Here’s a hypothetical: The head of your department has been working hard to implement changes that will increase efficiency. Little-by-little, manual processes are being replaced with new technology automations. Many team members are nervous, because their workload will decrease as a result, and you’ve heard them gossiping about layoffs. Your department head, who often relies on you to inspire the team, has asked you to train a few colleagues on the new technology. How would you handle this?
Describe a scenario (in any of your previous roles) where empathy was required.
A well-liked member of your team resigned unexpectedly, and everyone is shocked and upset. What are some ways that you help the team refocus?
Describe a time when you had to deliver difficult news. How did you go about it?

6 | Relationship Management

What is it:

People with relationship management skills successfully manage interactions with others. They’re socially aware, easy to talk to, and often have an open-door policy. Professionally, they know there's a benefit in connecting with others (even those they’re not necessarily fond of). They manage the frequency of their interactions and form high-quality bonds over time with all types of people, which exposes them to many different perspectives. Often, they have the ability to identify common ground, which effectively alleviates stress, resolves conflict, and improves employee relations within an organization. Highly skilled relationship managers communicate clearly, and they can be relied on for direct, constructive feedback. They show appreciation, care and concern for other team members, reinforce positive behavior, and let others know that they are valued.

Why it matters:

Regardless of industry, business has always been about relationships - and forming and maintaining productive, collaborative, communicative relationships is not something that only the sales team needs to worry about. Now more than ever, business is conducted remotely across the globe in the digital realm— and skilled relationship managers utilize a variety of channels and technologies to effectively maintain and nurture their network of relationships.

How to spot it on an interview:

Here’s a hypothetical: Recently, two members of your team have had difficulty collaborating on a project. At one point they had a heated debate that escalated into an argument in front of the staff. Both are talented, valued, and experienced team members - and now they’re not even communicating. How would you approach this?
Tell me about a business relationship that has inspired you in some way.
In any of your previous roles, what are some ways that you have shown appreciation to clients/staff?
How do you stay in touch with your professional network?
Have you ever apologized to an employee? What happened?