Improving Your Interpersonal Communication Skills

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Communication has basically two kinds: verbal and non-verbal communication. In the communication process, the sender or speaker must learn how to deliver or disseminate the messages to his receiver or recipient clearly and completely. As it is defined as a two-way process of exchanging and sharing thoughts, insights, feelings, experiences and information from one person to another, people from all walks of life have to learn how to communicate promptly – speak and listen accordingly.

Primarily, communicating with others is an essential skill in business dealings, friendships, family affairs, and romantic relationships. The best thing is that, it is up to us to improve it since such skill is essentially important in our daily activities especially in our workplace. With these, it is your advantage if you indeed have good communication skills particularly that of interpersonal – your ways of dealing with other people as well as your means of handling and reacting to communication situations.

Interpersonal skills are not just talking and listening to other people. It is all about working with and relating to them. These include being able to encourage others, motivate and support them, accept their opinions, and give them friendly, constructive criticisms and suggestions.

Also, communication skills do not limit the conversation with our ideas or opinions. It includes the culture and unique history of a person – how he deals with the situation and how he reacts to it. From this point of view, interpersonal communication skills become crucial to some. To help you out, here is my list:

First, learn how to listen. A good communication skill starts with patience and attention in listening. By understanding others, you will be able to get across your message successfully.

Do not read other minds. We are not capable of doing that in anyway. So, the best thing to do is to communicate effectively. Frequently ask questions to clarify ideas and get the message promptly. Share your opinions and insights to make the conversation more meaningful.

Do not complicate. The more communication there is, the more difficult it is for the communication process to succeed. This simply reminds us that it is difficult to have an accurate conversation, so let us work it out.

Focus and be attentive. The success of communication relies on the interest and attention you are giving in. By being focused, you would be able to listen carefully and provide right judgment about the situation.

Wear their shoes. One of the best things to do to understand people is to put yourself in their situation. Then, you can think of what to do in case you are in that moment. The more you understand the reasons behind their thinking, the more you can understand their point of view or help them to better understand and eventually accept your point of view.

Make strategies your weapon. When you are caught in a conversation where in there are contrasting ideas, you should stay composed and relax. Use low-tone voice and avoid disturbing body language like hunching shoulders or fidgeting that will make others feel uncomfortable and offended.

Motivate others. As you show your interests, try to give those encouraging ideas and suggestions especially when in a complex situation. Value their inputs as much as they will do to you. Do not interrupt them by stating that you have the same experiences and tell your long stories while their unfinished stories are still unfold.

Learn from each conversation. There are no same conversations. Each has different words and stories to tell. If the conversation is such a success one, then you must remember the pointers that you can use to another conversation. If it is a failure, definitely, there must be something wrong that you must figure out to avoid them and learn from it too.

Smile and laugh – the most positive thing you can give and share while in a communication setting.

Indeed, improving interpersonal communication skills is such a big deal especially in our workplace. Reality bites, people judge us in our behavior and not in our purpose or intent. With this, we must be consistent in projecting our image and setting personal trademarks. Also, we should be open for some evaluation and assessment. These can be done by asking other persons’ feedback and opinions.

Just like what Paulo Coelho stressed in his book, The Alchemist, “It’s not what enters men’s mouth that’s evil, it’s what comes out of their mouths that is.” Words are just symbols of defining ourselves. They are powerful because they show who we really are, so we better watch our words and be more considerate in communicating with other people.

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