We humans are surrounded with people all around us. Right? We need to communicate at different levels with each one of them on a daily basis. This is where we are involved in Interpersonal communication.
The skill to articulate and establish relationships with others is known as Interpersonal Communication. These skills help you to portray your inner self and the ability to tackle the outside world. There are ‘n’ number of relations to be handled starting from your family, friends, people around you, colleagues, clients etc. They are very much important and help to build lasting relationships.
A positive environment is developed with better interpersonal skills which elevate a high-yielding work environment.
Let’s jot down some pivotal elements of interpersonal communication skills:
1. Verbal Communication: In this the message plays a very important role. There are 2 or more parties involved known as the sender and the receiver. The message which needs to be communicated can be one-way, two-way or multiple ways. A receiver will receive the message and immediately give feedback either with his words or body language.
2. Active Listening: They are ones who with their clarifications and affirmations make the speaker feel that he is actually there and getting the message correctly. There are also passive listeners who are physically present but mentally absent from the communication channel.
3. Non-Verbal Communication: It includes the body language, gestures, facial expressions, and the tone of the language. Here, the listener needs to understand the correct cues and interpret the non-verbal communication tool.
4. External environment: It may include anything which may appear as a noise or clutter. It can act as a barrier while the message has been communicated. It also includes cultural gaps, jargons, and unacceptable body language.
5. Perspective: It depends on the situation where you are. The intensity of the situation needs to be understood before putting one’ point forward.
Importance of Interpersonal Communication Skills:
1. Teamwork: As it is rightly said that no human can survive alone. No matter where he belongs, team work plays an important role. He not has to be a great team player within his team but also showcase his team work outside as well. For instance: A sales person who deals with his team members also has to deal with HR, IT, Production, Legal departments etc.
2. Conflict Resolution: A conflict can occur anywhere. But a person with great inter personal skills will intervene and resolve the conflict and build a bridge, not a barrier.
3. Problem Solver: Is there any day or say an hour where we do not experience a problem. But we need to find a solution and work religiously to achieve our goal. A solution provider is more acceptable rather than a problem creator or the one who prefers to enlarge any problem.
4. Social Connect: Here, social does not limit to only social media but the society as a whole. A person who is able to connect socially with each and every one can also keep health issues at bay.
5. Positive environment: One needs to carry a positive attitude when one is dealing with anyone regardless, the environment he is in. A ‘happy go lucky’ person is always considered approachable.
6. Explore new avenues: Communication is the key to success. In today’s world, certificates and degrees hold relevance only when a person is able to communicate effectively. One needs to actually jump in the pond and communicate with all the frogs, not just hop here and there.
7. Enhance leadership skill: Everyone wants to be a leader. The size of the team does not matter much when one starts to lead. But eventually, a successful and an effective leader is the one who has numerous followers. And to increase followers, one has to be a great communicator.
8. Be empathetic: Empathy is towards oneself. When one starts being harsh towards oneself, then he is bound to move away from the people around him. An effective leader is the one who actually steps into the shoes of the other person and walks with him to the shore.
Types of Interpersonal Communication:
1. Oral Communication: It includes phone calls, speech, face to face talks etc.
2. Written Communication: It involves letters, mails, posts, notices etc.
3. Non-verbal Communication: It embodies the body language, gestures, non-verbal cues, eye contact etc.
4. Listening: It comprises of actually listening the message which is given. Not just hearing the message. Listening involves giving feedback, actively involved to comprehend the message.
How does soft skills training help develop great interpersonal communication skills?
1. Focus on the target: If you want your team to focus on their work and stay away from distractors, then instead of telling them to keep their phones away. The leader himself should implement a “No phone policy.” This message will reach the team in an apt manner.
2. Practice “I am all hears”: Be an active listener, try to gauge and comprehend the problems faced and provide measurable solutions for the same. Being a good listener, helps you assimilate all the information before jumping to the solution.
3. Do not deviate: At times, when the communication is happening, it so happens that we have some preconceived notions about the person or situation. So, getting a clarity about the entire scenario is important rather than losing threads.
4. Practice! Practice! Practice!: Start with baby steps. Slowly and steadily once the basics are practiced and implemented, it helps achieve higher goals.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it is always smart enough to reach out to an expert and conduct a soft skills training program, where interpersonal skills form an integral part. One can also focus on individual skills and deep dive into detail by conducting a training workshop by a Certified Soft Skills Trainer who can aid in achieving the goal.
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