How to screen new hires for "people skills"

From the book, Influencer: The Power to Change Anything, the authors explain how a relationship expert and his team could watch a couple for just 15 minutes and then predict with 90% accuracy whether they will be together and happy 5 years later. The researcher asks the couple to discuss a topic about which they disagree:

If the argument involves a significant amount of blaming, escalation, invalidation, or withdrawal, the future is bleak. If, on the other hand, the same couple opens tough conversations with statements that communicate respect and a shared purpose, and halts emotional escalation in a respectful way to take a time out, the future will be entirely different.

Think how this understanding can help you screen new hires for "people skills." To gain a sense of how an applicant would communicate during disagreements, engage in role-playing scenarios.

For example, say to the applicant "You and I researched software to replace our outdated versions. You recommend Brand A and I recommend Brand B." Now see whether the applicant responds defensively or diplomatically to questions such as these:

• "Why would anyone recommend Brand A! That's the silliest thing I ever heard of!"
• "Why should we listen to your recommendation?"
• "What makes you the authority on software?"
• "Anyone can see that Brand B is the way to go!"