Interpersonal Skills Seal the Deal

I vividly remember a conversation years ago with a technically talented man in my group with interpersonal skills deficiencies. He couldn't understand why another person had received a promotion rather than him. I asked him who he would promote if he had two people who were equally technically talented, but one had better interpersonal skills. Without hesitating, he said "it wouldn't matter". Unfortunately there are too many people like this who think that fulfilling the technical requirements of a job is the only thing that matters.

People like to work for and with others who are competent and delightful to be around. Honing interpersonal skills can seal the deal.