Ankur Warikoo on Developing ‘People Skills’: Influence is a Trained Skill, Not an Innate Trait

In a recent LinkedIn post, Ankur Warikoo delves into the nature of “people skills” and influence, challenging the common perception that these are inherent traits. Warikoo shares his personal journey, revealing that what is often praised as natural ability was, for him, a hard-won skill developed through conscious effort and study.

He begins by recounting his past struggles with public speaking and social interaction, stating:

People praise me for my “people skills”, but that wasn’t always true. I used to avoid speaking to people. I froze the first time I went up on stage. And the thought of doing it again filled me with dread.

This initial vulnerability, Warikoo explains, led him to a critical realization: influence is not something one is simply born with. Instead, he argues, it is a skill cultivated through observation and practice.

The Cultivation of Influence

Warikoo highlights that the ability to connect with and influence others is a result of intentional training. He describes his process of studying influential individuals, paying close attention to their methods:

So I studied influential people. Their tone, their timing, their cues, and their ability to pick up on what wasn’t said. And I realised something: Influence is not a trait you are born with. It’s what you’ve been trained to notice, feel, and express.

This analytical approach, according to Warikoo, revealed the underlying mechanics of effective communication and interpersonal connection. He posits that the difference between someone who can command attention and someone who is overlooked lies not in innate charisma, but in the degree to which they have honed their ability to perceive and express subtle social cues.

The Distinction Between Innate and Trained Abilities

The core of Warikoo’s message is that influence is a learnable skill. He contrasts those who naturally seem to shift a room’s energy with those whose words fall flat, attributing this disparity to differing levels of ‘training’ in understanding and navigating social dynamics. As Warikoo puts it:

That’s why some people can walk into a room and shift the energy. While others can say the same words and be ignored. The difference is how they’ve been trained.

This perspective reframes influence from a mysterious gift to an accessible skill, suggesting that anyone can develop greater interpersonal effectiveness through dedicated effort. Warikoo emphasizes that mastering these skills can have a profound impact on one’s life and career.

Applying Learned Influence

Warikoo concludes by sharing the transformative effect this understanding has had on his own life, underscoring the practical value of developing one’s ‘people skills’. He frames influence as a powerful tool that, when properly understood and applied, can lead to significant personal and professional growth. His insights suggest that focusing on the mechanics of connection, rather than lamenting a perceived lack of natural talent, is the key to unlocking greater influence.

He is set to teach these principles further in an upcoming masterclass, indicating his commitment to sharing this actionable framework for developing influence.