The 6 Best Books About Social Skills

Do you feel uncomfortable or insecure when relating to other people? Do you feel out of place when you’re at social gatherings? Here we’ve assembled a list of 6 excellent books about social skills for you to learn from.

But remember: social skills are manifested in the behaviors we have when we interact with others. They are key to adapting to different situations, because they help us to relate to others well. And the best part? You can improve them with practice!

“The Charisma Myth” by Olivia Fox Cabane

This is one of the most highly recommended books about social skills if you want to change the feelings that happen in you and others when you’re interacting. It’s designed for those who consider themselves to be reserved, insecure, shy or just have a general lack of social skills. “The Charisma Myth” will teach you how to influence people and handle your emotions better.

When it comes to fostering good feelings in yourself and others, Olivia Fox believes that there are three basic aspects: presence, power and closeness. This compendium of fun, science and practicality will turn you into a more sociable and trusting person. It seems easy! Why not give it a try?

“Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

This one has become a best seller in the field of social psychology. It revolves around the idea of ​​how to communicate effectively. The authors seem to have discovered the secret of communicative success. They try to explain why some messages are memorable and others, which may seem to have a better probability of success, don’t hold up and ultimately fail, quickly being relegated to oblivion.

Their real-life examples illustrate what to do and what not to do for an idea to make an impact and be remembered. Likewise, you’ll discover the mistakes we make most often when we try to communicate. These guidelines will help you learn how to influence others.

“Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain

Am I shy or am I introverted? This may be one of the hardest questions to answer about ourselves. Susan Cain not only answers this question, but also contributes more to this field than almost anyone else in recent years.

She explains why being introverted isn’t always a negative trait. In fact, it’s a natural one that it can even play in our favor when it comes to navigating certain areas. Throughout the book, you see Susan’s struggle with the popular myth that extroverts are more valuable than introverts.

Interestingly, the author clarifies that what differentiates one from another is just how much stimulation each needs. In addition, the book serves as a practical resource for people who need less stimulation and want to function better in a extroverted world.

“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie

What is it that people who seem to make friends wherever they go have? This book shows you the strategic value of human relationships and gives you the keys to enhancing the human side of life. It explains how to communicate emotionally with others, but without losing your persuasive ability and assertiveness.

The book also gives you advice on how to effectively express your opinion and appropriately defend your point of view. It emphasizes the importance of negotiation skills as a method to avoid conflicts and solve problems. In addition, at the end it gives a practical synopsis to help us internalize the concepts. There’s no doubt: it is a must-read classic and one of the best books about social skills.

“The Definitive Book of Body Language: The Hidden Meaning Behind People’s Gestures and Expressions” by Allan Pease and Barbara Pease

Did you know that only 7% of what you communicate is verbal? That means that almost everything you transmit is done with your body. 93%, in fact! Out of our recommended books about social skills, this one stands out because it teaches us how to decipher body language.

It’s entertaining, concrete, precise and very illustrative, including a wide variety of practical advice. It delves into active listening; that is, the importance of not only paying attention to the words spoken but also not spoken. If you want to learn how to interpret others and know what they’re thinking even if they’re quiet, read this book.

“Magic Seeds Of Patience” by Efrat Haddi

Cultivating social skills in childhood remains a major challenge of psychology. What if we could read our children a bedtime story that also taught them patience? Well, it turns out there are books about social skills that can do that just.

This one tells the story of Daniel, a boy who gets a mysterious birthday gift from his grandfather. From there, the author takes you on a journey with the protagonist. On it, you’ll discover the importance of social skills and the good they can do.

“The Magic Seeds of Patience” is recommended for children over 3 years old. The author, Haddi, is mother to three children and a good part of her book comes from her experience. Therefore, even adults can learn a lot from it. It is an entertaining way to teach important values ​​about social interaction.

A child’s brain should develop at the same time they learn social skills — and it should happen constantly. In addition, there is a unique window of opportunity to do so in a child’s first few years of life, preschool especially. That’s why it’s crucial to teach them early on how important empathy, assertiveness, patience, and active listening are.

Pick one of the books above and get started!