Studies prove that your social skills are a lot more important than your grades when it comes to being successful in life. Not only do they help you feel comfortable in a variety of social settings, but your people skills help you win great friends that make life richly rewarding.

With a few key changes, pretty much anyone can become socially confident and gain friends much more easily. Whether you (or someone you know) totally lacks social skills, or just needs a little extra polishing in order to be more successful, the following will be very beneficial:

Just as a start, remember that people have 5 basic "needs to feed." They are as easy to remember as "A,E, I, O and U"

Here we go. People need to feel:

• Accepted:

• Exceptional:

• Important:

• One of a kind; and

• Understood

Everyone you know wants to be accepted for who they are right now, without having to change to be someone you think they should be. Acceptance doesn't mean you have to like what they do, such as how they wear their hair, or the clothes they choose, it just means you respect their right to be different from you.

Recognize people as exceptional. Everyone you know is good as something. It may not be something you value, but trust me, if they're good at it, they value it. Ask people to talk about their hobbies and how they got into them. Let them know you don't know anyone else who knows as much as they do about that particular topic. I'm sure that's the truth, and I'm sure they would feel good about themselves and you knowing that their talents and interests are noticed.

Each person needs to feel important and a part of something bigger than themselves, whether it's being a part of a family, or a team at work, or a club. And they want to feel that their presence is part of what makes that group special. Find a way to let others know that they serve an important role in your group.

While we want to be part of a group, we also want to retain our individuality and be seen as one of a kind, a person like no other. Pay attention to this, because if people feel there's nothing they can do to be one of a kind in a good way, they'll be one of a kind in a bad way. Again, tell them you've never known anyone else who could do that cool thing they do quite like they do it.

And last, but certainly not least, people want to be understood. One of the most powerful aspects of persuasion is that others will tell you exactly what it takes to persuade them. The only question is, are you truly listening and making sure you understand their values, interests and desires, or are you stuck in frustration because they won't listen to you? Well, they won't listen to you until they feel you understand how they feel. So let your first priority be to learn how they feel and what's important to others. Then, when they feel understood, they'll be open to listening to you.

So remember, with every single person you meet, there are these five deep and profound needs to feed. Feed them and you will sky rocket your social skills.