What are Interpersonal Skills?

Interpersonal skills are the life skills we use every day to communicate and interact with other people, both individually and in groups. People who have worked on developing strong interpersonal skills are usually more successful in both their professional and personal lives.

Employers often seek to hire staff with 'strong interpersonal skills' - they want people who will work well in a team and be able to communicate effectively with colleagues, customers and clients.

A List of Interpersonal Skills Includes:

Verbal Communication - What we say and how we say it.

Non-Verbal Communication - What we communicate without words, body language is an example.

Listening Skills - How we interpret both the verbal and non-verbal messages sent by others.

Negotiation - Working with others to find a mutually agreeable outcome.

Problem Solving - Working with others to identify, define and solve problems.

Decision Making – Exploring and analysing options to make sound decisions.

Assertiveness – Communicating our values, ideas, beliefs, opinions, needs and wants freely.


Find out how to improve and develop your interpersonal skills including:

Learn to Listen

Listening is not the same as hearing. Take time to listen carefully to what others are saying through both their verbal and non-verbal communication. Visit our Listening Skills page to learn more.

Choose Your Words

Be aware of the words you are using when talking to others. Could you be misunderstood or confuse the issue? Practise clarity and learn to seek feedback to ensure your message has been understood.

Encourage others to engage in communication and use appropriate questioning to develop your understanding. Our page: Verbal Communication, introduces the subject, you may also be interested in Effective Speech for tips on how to use your voice to full effect and Questioning which can help you encourage communication in others and clarify what they have said.

Understand Why Communication Fails

Communication is rarely perfect and can fail for a number of reasons. Learn about the various barriers to good communication so you can be aware of - and reduce the likelihood of - ineffective interpersonal communication and misunderstandings. See our page: Barriers to Communication for more information. Our page Communicating in Difficult Situations offers further ideas to help you to get your message across when stress levels or other emotions are running high.

Relax

When we are nervous we tend to talk more quickly and therefore less clearly. Being tense is also evident in our body language and other non-verbal communication. Instead, try to stay calm, make eye contact and smile. Let your confidence shine.

Learn to take time to relax, see our section: Relaxation Techniques. Further relevant pages include: Dealing with Stress and Coping with Presentation Nerves.

Clarify

Show an interest in the people you talk to. Ask questions and seek clarification on any points that could be easily misunderstood.

Be Positive

Try to remain positive and cheerful. People are much more likely to be drawn to you if you can maintain a positive attitude. More on Personal Presentation and Building Confidence.

Empathise

Understand that other people may have different points of view. Try to see things from their perspective. You may learn something whilst gaining the respect and trust of others.

Understand Stress

Learn to recognise, manage and reduce stress in yourself and others. Although stress is not always bad, it can have a detrimental effect on your interpersonal communication. Learning how to recognise and manage stress, in yourself and others, is an important personal skill

Learn to be Assertive

You should aim to be neither passive nor aggressive. Being assertive is about expressing your feelings and beliefs in a way that others can understand and respect. Assertiveness is fundamental to successful negotiation.

Reflect and Improve

Think about previous conversations and other interpersonal interactions; learn from your mistakes and successes. Always keep a positive attitude but realise that you can always improve our communication skills.

Negotiate

Learn how to effectively negotiate with others paving the way to mutual respect, trust and lasting interpersonal relationship

Working in Groups

We often find ourselves in group situations, professionally and socially. Learn all about the different types of groups and team

Relationship Management

The ability to build relationships based on mutual trust and respect, this is important in order to work effectively with other people....some persons cant peacefully work with others.

Nice

Any skill that makes other people want to be around you and have a positive discussion is an interpersonal skill.

Ok

Men! Dis thread would be f******king boring
If u are happy to be alive
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Like dis post

Nice write-up!!! But, I'm too timorous to speak infront of people---I'm too shy. However, I get a little stuff upstair!!!

Noted... Awesome thread

slimdiggi: What are Interpersonal Skills?

Interpersonal skills are the life skills we use every day to communicate and interact with other people, both individually and in groups. People who have worked on developing strong interpersonal skills are usually more successful in both their professional and personal lives.

Employers often seek to hire staff with 'strong interpersonal skills' - they want people who will work well in a team and be able to communicate effectively with colleagues, customers and clients.

A List of Interpersonal Skills Includes:

Verbal Communication - What we say and how we say it.

Non-Verbal Communication - What we communicate without words, body language is an example.

Listening Skills - How we interpret both the verbal and non-verbal messages sent by others.

Negotiation - Working with others to find a mutually agreeable outcome.

Problem Solving - Working with others to identify, define and solve problems.

Decision Making – Exploring and analysing options to make sound decisions.

Assertiveness – Communicating our values, ideas, beliefs, opinions, needs and wants freely.


Find out how to improve and develop your interpersonal skills including:

Learn to Listen

Listening is not the same as hearing. Take time to listen carefully to what others are saying through both their verbal and non-verbal communication. Visit our Listening Skills page to learn more.

Choose Your Words

Be aware of the words you are using when talking to others. Could you be misunderstood or confuse the issue? Practise clarity and learn to seek feedback to ensure your message has been understood.

Encourage others to engage in communication and use appropriate questioning to develop your understanding. Our page: Verbal Communication, introduces the subject, you may also be interested in Effective Speech for tips on how to use your voice to full effect and Questioning which can help you encourage communication in others and clarify what they have said.

Understand Why Communication Fails

Communication is rarely perfect and can fail for a number of reasons. Learn about the various barriers to good communication so you can be aware of - and reduce the likelihood of - ineffective interpersonal communication and misunderstandings. See our page: Barriers to Communication for more information. Our page Communicating in Difficult Situations offers further ideas to help you to get your message across when stress levels or other emotions are running high.

Relax

When we are nervous we tend to talk more quickly and therefore less clearly. Being tense is also evident in our body language and other non-verbal communication. Instead, try to stay calm, make eye contact and smile. Let your confidence shine.

Learn to take time to relax, see our section: Relaxation Techniques. Further relevant pages include: Dealing with Stress and Coping with Presentation Nerves.

Clarify

Show an interest in the people you talk to. Ask questions and seek clarification on any points that could be easily misunderstood.

Be Positive

Try to remain positive and cheerful. People are much more likely to be drawn to you if you can maintain a positive attitude. More on Personal Presentation and Building Confidence.

Empathise

Understand that other people may have different points of view. Try to see things from their perspective. You may learn something whilst gaining the respect and trust of others.

Understand Stress

Learn to recognise, manage and reduce stress in yourself and others. Although stress is not always bad, it can have a detrimental effect on your interpersonal communication. Learning how to recognise and manage stress, in yourself and others, is an important personal skill

Learn to be Assertive

You should aim to be neither passive nor aggressive. Being assertive is about expressing your feelings and beliefs in a way that others can understand and respect. Assertiveness is fundamental to successful negotiation.

Reflect and Improve

Think about previous conversations and other interpersonal interactions; learn from your mistakes and successes. Always keep a positive attitude but realise that you can always improve our communication skills.

Negotiate

Learn how to effectively negotiate with others paving the way to mutual respect, trust and lasting interpersonal relationship

Working in Groups

We often find ourselves in group situations, professionally and socially. Learn all about the different types of groups and team

Quote source and stop stealing peoples effort to take glory

Good write up, I wish our youths will really practice what is written here, we won't be having much rift in our relationships, businesses, families etc.

The key to opening channels and unlocking doors...

Ok I hear u

epistle according to the book of slimdiggy

is inter personal skill same As inter personal communication. Inter personal communication can be described as the act of effectively sharing of genuine information between one or two people.

ok

I see

Are we meant to comment?

Brb

Op, welldone and thanks.

Good

Im the shy type and I dont possess some of these skills. So how do I come out of such predicament?

nice one Mister. you made my day

slimmy05: Quote source and stop stealing peoples effort to take glory

does it concern you?

I will read later...#am on-board to heaven!!#

nice piece of work

Ajibel: Im the shy type and I dont possess some of these skills. So how do I come out of such predicament?

As a shy person try to make contributions in a group or gathering, when there are presentations to be made, don't shy away from it. Try to learn public speaking it will really boost your self confidence