In today’s time, many people have a tough time explaining what interpersonal communication is. Although it sounds plain and simple, it is quite the opposite. Interpersonal skill is more than just talking. To master interpersonal skills, you need to have a basic understanding of human psychology. People often take interpersonal communication courses to improve their interaction with others, especially if they are working in a corporate or any other institution.
This article will walk you through the essential tips for improving interpersonal communication skills. But first, let us understand what interpersonal communication is.
What is an interpersonal communication skill?
Interpersonal communication is the spoken or unspoken sharing of thoughts, emotions, and knowledge among two or more individuals. Listening, observing, and experiencing nonverbal cues, facial gestures, and mannerisms are frequently used in face-to-face interaction. It is, in other words, the non-verbal and verbal exchange of messages, ideas, sentiments, and views between two or more individuals.
Before one can master interpersonal skills, one needs to understand the elements of communication between two individuals. Therefore, in any interpersonal communication class, you will first be taught the basic conversation elements. These elements are as follows.
1. Communicators:
More than two persons are required for effective interaction to occur. In this interaction process between more than one person, these communicators exchange spoken and unspoken signals.
2. The message:
It is the knowledge or the information that the communicators convey to each other. This message can be directly spoken to one another or can be shared by non-verbal signals. The verbal messages are often incomplete without non-verbal signals. These non-verbal signals add more depth to what is spoken by the communicator. For example, body language, facial movements, and mannerisms reveal what the speaker wants.
In addition, the speakers encode hidden messages in their non-verbal communication channels. With a good interpersonal communication class, anyone can develop the eyes to read between the lines and will be able to develop the mental capacity to decode these hidden cues.
3. Feedback:
There is always both a sender (the individual delivering the information) and a recipient (the person who is the intended receiver of this message) in interpersonal contact. Feedback describes the signs the recipient sends to the speaker to tell them if they understood or if the message was unclear.
The sender then can modify or edit the delivery of the information in response to this input to enable the receiver to comprehend or interpret the message sent.
4. Noise:
According to personality development skill, “noise” refers to things that distort or muddles the message’s content and interpretation, raising the possibility of misunderstanding. Noise might include linguistic disparities, the usage of foreign terminology, or a recipient’s lack of focus. An Interpersonal communication course will teach you how to mitigate this noise and foster good conversation.
5. The context:
Every social contact has a specific context, and all these settings can influence the effectiveness and significance of conversation. People can come to different conclusions if you deliver a message in the workplace, at home, or at a baseball match. During communication, it might be helpful to consider the communicators’ social standing or social reputation and work position.
6. Channel:
The “channel” refers to how the information is transmitted. The channels used when two individuals speak in front of each other are the individuals’ sights, mouths, and hand gestures. The channels that people nowadays use daily have changed along with digital media. For example, the visual interpretation of words or pictures is now the only crux of online conversation.
Now that you have a basic understanding of what makes up interpersonal communication let us delve deep into how you can improve your interpersonal communication skill and effectively add to your personality development skill.
- Do not just hear. Listen to what others are saying.
Active listening is rather than just hearing words, paying attention with undivided attention and participating in the knowledge being shared by the speaker. Instead of just taking in the message, you carefully listen to what others are saying to you, clarify anything you do not understand, and then summarise it to ensure you fully understand it.
Use the fundamentals of face-to-face conversation, such as maintaining eye contact, grinning, or responding to the message conveyed with nonverbal cues, to show that you are completely involved.
- Always focus on your body language
Our nonverbal cues convey the same amount of information or maybe more than what we speak. It may signify that you are becoming protective if you show body gestures like facing away from the speaker or looking at your phone while others are speaking. You can come out as anxious if you are always changing your stance or scribbling on a piece of paper.
Body language is an integral part of any conversation. It is a subset of your personality development skill. With the appropriate body language, the speaker will get the notion that you are respectful to the person in front of you, and they will do the same when you are talking. Conversely, negative body language, such as looking at others while the speaker is talking to you, will suggest that the speaker’s message is not important to you.
- Never speak out of your turn, and let others finish their sentences
Even if it is not your intention, interrupting or speaking out of turn while others are talking during a discussion gives the impression that you are not paying attention to what the speaker is saying. Allowing the speaker to complete their point before interjecting shows you appreciate what they have to say.
- Respect the opinion of others
Everyone indeed has their own opinions, and everyone has the right to stick to them. Opinions are beliefs that people hold on to. Of course, you may disagree with some; however, it is very rude and uncultured to bash someone else for having an opinion that does not conform to yours. In such a situation, keep your calm and be respectful while listening to their opinions.
Key takeaway points
People are not born with good interpersonal skills. They acquire them. You can learn to be a good communicator with a good interpersonal communication class. And for that, Orator Academy is the perfect institute for you. Orator academy is one of the pioneers of public speaking coaching. They have trained thousands of people under them who have later become very successful in their careers and in academics.
They have a highly professional coach that guides you in every aspect, and they focus on every mistake of yours so that they can help you correct it. In addition, with their interpersonal communication course, anyone can become a good speaker.
