Interpersonal communication skills are essential for developing other key life skills. Interpersonal communication is the exchange of information between people. This is not just limited to verbal communication but instead includes body language and facial expressions as well as textual communications and other interactions that are mediated by technology in some way. Good interpersonal communication skills enable us to work more effectively and efficiently in groups and teams. It is often desirable to build strong relationships with others, which can in turn lead to better communication and understanding. Interpersonal communication can serve many advantageous purposes. It allows us to influence the behavior, attitudes, and opinions of others. In other words, we can say effective interpersonal communication in the workplace is integral to a well-functioning, high-performing team. Interpersonal skills are the ability to communicate important information and manage social interactions with colleagues, both up and down in the business.
There are certain skill sets that are crucial for professional life as well as for personal life to be able to exercise in their routine environment. Regardless of your workplace, interpersonal skills are important. Some of the key interpersonal communication skills are-
Exercising Self-Awareness- Self-awareness falls within the realm of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is comprised of four primary components, i.e. Self-awareness, Emotions, Empathy and Relationship building.
Being Cognizant of Nonverbal Communication- Some forms of nonverbal communication include- e. g. Eye contact, Facial expressions, Body language, Gestures, and Physical contact (such as shaking hands, touching an arm, pushing, etc.).
Being Respectful of Others-Showing Empathy and Understanding- Empathy, along with active listening and strong communication skills, also is useful in terms of negotiation tactics.
Being a Clear Communicator- Communication is an important part of life, as well as a necessary component of any personal or business relationship.
Engaging in Active Listening
Behaving Appropriately- Some universally accepted behaviors should be exercised by everyone, e. g. Being punctual, showing courtesy, being cooperative and easy to work with, having a positive attitude, dressing appropriately, etc.