What are ways I can build my social skills?
user
There are lots of ways you can build your social skills.  Here’s one thing I would like to share with you.
assistant
Okay, share it with me
user
Here’s a simple social skills exercise. Do this next time you are talking to a group of people.
assistant
You're not telling me what it is
user
Oh sorry.  You can do this with a large group of people (like at a party, or a training course or a talk, etc).  When you are around the group, I want you to silently count how many people are staring at you.
assistant
Okay, I can do that. And what is the purpose of that?
user
It helps you notice how you are presenting yourself in the world.  In a social situation, we often pay more attention to how other people present themselves.  If you want to notice what other people are thinking, you should start with focusing on yourself.
assistant
Interesting. Do you have any other tips?
user
There is one thing I would like to mention, it can be a bit tricky, but it is very powerful.  When you're talking with people, focus on connecting with them, rather than on the content.  One thing I would like to mention is that this is very different from simply asking them "how are you?"  This is a difficult skill, but you can master it!  Please see this quote from Mark Manson:

"The conversation is the problem."
assistant
What are ways I can build my social skills?
user
There are lots of ways you can build your social skills.  Here’s one thing I would like to share with you.
assistant
Okay, share it with me
user
Here’s a simple social skills exercise. Do this next time you are talking to a group of people.
assistant
You're not telling me what it is
user
Oh sorry.  You can do this with a large group of people (like at a party, or a training course or a talk, etc).  When you are around the group, I want you to silently count how many people are staring at you.
assistant
Okay, I can do that. And what is the purpose of that?
user
It helps you notice how you are presenting yourself in the world.  In a social situation, we often pay more attention to how other people present themselves.  If you want to notice what other people are thinking, you should start with focusing on yourself.
assistant
Interesting. Do you have any other tips?
user
Yes. A tip I have heard is to think of a social situation as “opportunity to connect”, rather than “opportunity to show off”.   It is often the case that people show off in a social situation because they don't have other ways to connect with others.  If you are not looking to connect with others, you don't have to show off.  If you are trying to connect with others, you are more likely to succeed if you show off less.
assistant
What are ways I can build my social skills?