Knowing your social self will ensure that you stand a better chance of grabbing opportunities when they come your way, especially in the career development scenario. To put it in simpler terms, ‘social self’ is your understanding of the social environment around you.
Any professional setting calls for the interaction of an individual with the people in the given environment. It can be said that only if you have a fair understanding of your social self, will you be able to win over people no matter what your other credentials are.
I have come across many youngsters who are not comfortable being in groups; they get easily disturbed by the many different kinds of expressions from the people around them. Naturally, their activities are also influenced by their surroundings. They do not realise that they are measured or evaluated by their response to their environment.
You are better served if you do not view your social self in isolation. The ‘self’ has a much wider meaning within the social context. Your individual self consists of attributes and personality traits that differentiate you from other individuals. Your social self is a basic foundation from which your beliefs and understandings stem.
Ask yourself the following questions to gain a better understanding of the importance of the ‘social self’:
Am I able to communicate well with others?
What kind of people do I get along well with?
What kind of person am I not comfortable with?
Why do I feel shy or express my inhibitions when I meet new faces from various backgrounds?
Am I able to get the necessary appreciation from the people around me for my behaviour?
Am I comfortable in accepting someone who is smarter than me in my group?
Do I express confidence when performing an activity during the selection process?
Finding that spot
It is important to know the work setting which is most comfortable for you
Narrow down
Try to utilise your talents and skills within your region of expertise
Be heard
Develop your communication skills and don’t be shy to speak out when in a group
