Key takeaways
- Intrapersonal skills are a form of self-communication that allows people to understand their thoughts and emotions, overcome challenges, grow, and be more resilient.
- Some intrapersonal competencies include self-awareness, adaptability, self-confidence, discipline, etc.
- To improve intrapersonal traits, you can engage in self-reflection, be curious, change perspective, and set clear goals.
What are intrapersonal skills?
The National Research Council (US) Committee on the Assessment of 21st Century Skills provides such intrapersonal skills definition: these are talents or abilities that reside within the individual and aid them in problem-solving. [1]
Simply put, intrapersonal skills (also called intrapersonal competencies) are habits, approaches, and patterns that allow people to overcome challenges, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and be more resilient.
Usually, this term covers someone’s ability to effectively navigate one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions.
As you know, intrapersonal communication skills are about relationships with oneself. Yet they have a significant impact on how one navigates life.
They influence how we approach others, manage conflicts, make decisions, and set goals. Moreover, people gain better insight into their values and priorities, which allows them to align their actions with what truly matters.
Intrapersonal skills: examples of core competencies
Among dozens of intrapersonal competencies, we can define a few mentioned most often.
- Self-awareness means the ability to understand your emotions and feelings. When you’re self-aware, you can identify what causes certain feelings or reactions and why you behave in specific ways.
- Self-reflection is about the ability to analyze what’s happening inside. By reflecting on your decisions and behavior, you gain insights into what works for you and what doesn’t and can map your future life accordingly.
- Adaptability describes someone’s skill to adapt to changing situations. For instance, a person with good intrapersonal communication skills can remain flexible when changing a job. They might try different approaches to seeking new career opportunities, explore various industries, or learn new skills to stay relevant.
- Self-confidence means how strongly someone believes in themselves, their decisions, and their skills. With self-confidence, you can push through doubts, follow your dreams, and stay motivated even when faced with challenges.
- Discipline is about staying committed to your goals. People with developed intrapersonal skills can better handle procrastination, build healthy habits, and stick to routines.
- Resilience is especially vital when life is full of ups and downs. Instead of giving up when things get tough, resilient people find ways to learn, adapt, and keep going.
We asked Rychel Johnson, M.S., LCPC to complete this list with a few more important skills, “In today’s fast-paced and often overwhelming world, several intrapersonal skills are essential for maintaining emotional well-being and personal growth. Another crucial skill is emotional regulation, which helps people respond to life’s pressures productively. Self-compassion is another vital skill, as it nurtures kindness toward oneself and prevents burnout in the face of failure or setbacks. Additionally, mindfulness enhances the ability to stay present and cultivate clarity amidst chaos.”
Interpersonal vs. intrapersonal skills
You’ve probably heard the term “interpersonal skills.” But what is the difference between intrapersonal skills and interpersonal skills?
The answer is simpler than you may think: intrapersonal skills are about what’s happening inside, while interpersonal skills are about communication with others.
| Aspect | Intrapersonal skills | Interpersonal skills |
| Examples | Self-management, discipline, decision-making | Leadership, networking, empathy, teamwork |
| When applied | In inner monologue, to guide self-reflection | In communication with others |
| Key benefit | Enhance inner balance and resilience | Strengthen relationships and foster collaboration |
| Ways of improvement | Self-reflection and EI development | Practicing clear and respectful communication |
| Outcome | Improved emotional balance and self-mastery | Better social contacts and mutual understanding |
Ultimately, both interpersonal and intrapersonal skills are necessary for navigating life.
Intrapersonal ones help people understand themselves and our needs, while interpersonal ones allow us to connect effectively with the world around us. By developing both, you create a foundation for personal and professional success.
The importance of intrapersonal skills
While the positive influence of intrapersonal trait development might sound obvious, some may not even imagine how powerful these skills are. Let’s take a look at the significant impact that intrapersonal skills can have on various aspects of life.
1. Improved emotional intelligence
As the research states, “Intrapersonal competence makes an individual introspect and manage one’s emotions. It is the heart of emotional intelligence.” [2]
Just think about how much better your life can be if you understand what and why you feel. You can react to situations with greater clarity and control, avoid impulsive decisions, and respond in a way that aligns with your values.
You nurture a sense of inner peace by improving your EI and intrapersonal competencies.
2. Higher self-confidence
According to the Study on the Importance of Intrapersonal Communication, developing a strong self-image can greatly influence confidence and self-assurance. [3]
Knowing your strengths helps you face challenges more effectively. It also enables you to take risks and approach opportunities with resilience. Intrapersonal skills build the trust you need in yourself to set big goals and keep improving.
3. Better decision-making
Can you imagine that 85 percent of people say that the inability to make decisions negatively impacts their quality of life? [4]
At the same time, strong intrapersonal traits can serve as a compass in this world of enormous opportunities.
When you know that your health is the number one priority, your growth is in second place, and your career is in third (for example), you can confidently make any decision.
4. More efficient self-management
Productivity levels usually depend on a person’s motivations, capabilities, goals, thoughts, and self-awareness [5]. Interpersonal and intrapersonal skills can greatly influence various aspects of people’s lives.
For instance, a person with strong self-management skills can handle a big project step by step. They can prioritize tasks, set realistic expectations, and know their limits.
Such people manage focus and stress by taking breaks and talking to teammates. They also delegate tasks to ensure everything gets done well.
5. Realistic goal-setting
Understanding your skills, opportunities, and behavior patterns makes it much easier to plan future actions. With strong intrapersonal traits, you can set goals that truly match your potential and take actions that lead to success.
6. Faster personal growth
As you might have already understood from the intrapersonal skills definition, when someone knows their strengths and weaknesses, they can reach their objectives much faster.
Self-awareness and strong values encourage continuous learning. At the same time, good adaptability might help a person approach challenges with an open mind and turn them into opportunities for growth.
7. Professional success opportunities
The research states that intrapersonal skills are highly sought by employers and linked to academic and personal success. [6]
Intrapersonal competencies directly impact a person’s ability to manage tasks, handle challenges, and communicate effectively.
What’s more, knowledge of the self through reflection is essential to help people mature in a social context. Therefore, intrapersonal skills help develop interpersonal skills. [7]
Employees who possess these skills are not only more productive but also better team players, which makes them even more valuable in any workplace.
How to improve intrapersonal competencies
At this point, you might have already thought that building robust intrapersonal traits is a good idea.
Thus, we’ve collected some valuable insights for you on how you can unlock your full potential.
1. Self-reflect
Self-reflection is one of the key intrapersonal competencies and can also be a great way to understand yourself.
Take a few minutes a day for an honest inner dialogue. You can analyze what happened throughout the day, track your emotions, or answer self-reflection questions.
Some well-known yet effective practices might help you with it:
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Visualization
- Quiet time alone
2. Feed your curiosity
Being interested in everything is one of the best ways to improve intrapersonal skills. The reason is simple: curiosity seeks to discover both the world around you and one’s inner feelings.
Digging deeper helps you develop a better understanding of yourself.
For example, you find yourself happy anytime you leave your hometown and set off for another trip. Instead of brushing it off, you can get curious about why it’s happening.
Ask yourself, “Why do I feel this way?” By exploring this question, you can uncover many interesting things, from where to live to what you want to improve. This curiosity can also boost a great change and provide opportunities for growth.
3. Look from the other perspective
In fact, this point supports the previous one. You know the answer to “What is the difference between intrapersonal skills and interpersonal skills?” Yet, they also have something in common.
When you grow, develop, and discover something new, the way you communicate with yourself and others also changes.
New experiences, concepts, and approaches can lead to a “wow” effect. You can simply understand one day, “I didn’t even think that it was possible to approach life this way.”
Other viewpoints can deepen one’s self-awareness and improve one’s communication skills. They can also make one more open-minded and adaptable.
4. Set clear goals
This step helps you focus on what you truly want and better understand the areas for intrapersonal skills growth.
As you work toward simple and clear goals, you develop discipline by staying consistent and overcoming distractions. Challenges along the way teach you resilience and help you adapt to new situations.
Each step forward boosts your confidence and shows what you can achieve. In the process, you won’t only reach what you aim for — you’ll grow and strengthen your connection with yourself.
FAQ intrapersonal communication skills
Can intrapersonal traits development improve my relationships?
Developing intrapersonal skills helps you understand your emotions and behavior, improving your communication.
You’ll be able to listen better, respond thoughtfully, and overcome misunderstandings with more patience. As a result, you may build stronger, more meaningful connections with friends, colleagues, family members, and romantic partners.
How long does it take to improve intrapersonal skills?
Building strong intrapersonal traits is a continuous process. There’s always room for improvement.
Still, after some time of self-reflection and building self-awareness, you’ll notice the first results. They might include better emotional control, clearer decision-making, and increased confidence. The more consistent you are, the more significant the progress you’ll see over time.
I want to help my partner develop their intrapersonal competencies. What should be my first steps?
Rychel Johnson, M.S., LCPC, answers, “Helping a partner develop intrapersonal skills requires a supportive mindset and patience — this growth doesn’t occur overnight. Encourage open conversations that invite self-reflection, asking gentle questions like, “What do you think motivated that response?” or “How are you feeling about this?” Suggest journaling or mindfulness to help them connect with their emotions and lead by example as you engage in similar exercises. Most importantly, create a safe, supportive space where they feel comfortable exploring their inner world without fear of judgment or pressure.”
Sources
- National Library of Medicine. “Assessing 21st Century Skills: Summary of a Workshop”
- Frontiers in Psychology. “From self-awareness to social savvy: how intrapersonal skills shape interpersonal competence in university students”
- International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews. “Study on Importance of Intrapersonal Communication”
- PR Newswire. “Global Study: 70% of Business Leaders Would Prefer a Robot to Make Their Decisions”
- Indeed Career Guide. “The Importance of Intrapersonal Skills in the Workplace”
- Research Gate. “The accentuation of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills in the workplace”
- Research Gate. “Teaching Efficacy, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal Skills and Teaching Performance in the Tertiary School”
