“The internet and online communication is the window into your world – but real life, in person communication / connection is the door.”
―Rasheed Ogunlaru
Interpersonal skills are those set of skills that we use everyday while communicating and interacting with people, both individually and in groups. People with strong interpersonal skills tend to be able to work well with other people, including in teams or groups.
Given below are some of the most important interpersonal skills you would need while interacting with other people.
1. Team-working –
This involves being able to work with others in groups and teams, both formal and informal.
The importance of teamwork in relationships is that it allows everyone involved to help each other. This then helps in building a stronger bond between each member of the team which allows us to have more fruitful relationships.
Teamwork is thus an essential skill to possess in order to have healthy relationships with everyone.
2. Emotional Regulation- Dealing with conflict situations-
This is the ability to work with others in order to resolve conflicts and disagreements in a positive way and reach a solution.
When conflict situations arise, there are a lot of misunderstandings, arguments and different emotions arise for different people.
In such cases, emotional regulation is a valuable skill to have where everyone’s emotions are taken into consideration while also dealing with the situation in an effective way without being biased. This would thus help in building stronger relationships with everyone when conflicts come up.
3. Importance of Empathy-
Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It is the mechanism that allows people to relate to and understand others. One of the biggest advantages of being empathetic is strengthening relationships.
Empathy helps to facilitate a healthy relationship by generating mutual trust and respect for everyone involved.
4. Listening Effectively-
This is one of the most important interpersonal skills, as being a good listener helps solve problems, resolve conflicts, and improve relationships.
In the workplace, effective listening contributes to fewer errors, less wasted time, and improved accuracy. Effective listening also helps build friendships and careers. Listening without interruption is like a release for a hurting person.
It strengthens relationships and demonstrates caring and attentiveness.
Active listening means putting aside your own needs and giving that person your undivided attention.
5. Patience-
It is important to have patience while dealing with other people. If you get frustrated while talking to someone else, it might lead to misunderstandings and errors.
Hence, be patient and try to understand what the other person is communicating to you.
It also shows your loved ones that value and care for them as well as your relationship with them enough to look beyond their flaws and mistakes.
6. Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication-
Verbal communication in a relationship is as important as non-verbal communication. Very often, a lot is communicated through non verbal reactions as well. These include facial expressions, body language and gestures.
Hence, understanding a person’s non verbal cues is also important in order to have healthier relationships. When used properly, these cues help us understand interactions of people based on their mind and emotions thus allowing us to have meaningful relationships.
7. Assertiveness-
Assertiveness is the ability to stand up for yourself in situations where conflict arise while also respecting others opinions.
Assertive communication helps in:
- minimising conflict
- control anger
- have your needs better met
- have more positive relationships
Being assertive thus allows people to have a high image and respect for you contributing to healthier relationships.
Interpersonal skills thus matter a great deal because none of us live in bubbles. We all have to interact in different ways with people at some point in our lives.
However, it all starts with self-awareness. Once you know where you stand with respect to the skills you have, you can take the necessary steps to acquire more such skills.
It is thus safe to say that these skills would benefit us in almost every aspect of life, be it personal or professional. Hence, it is important to equip yourself with such skills in order to have successful and meaningful relationships.
Sources-
- https://harappa.education/harappa-diaries/interpersonal-skills-all-you-need-to-know/#heading_4
- https://www.skillsyouneed.com/interpersonal-skills.html
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/careers/soft-skills/interpersonal-skills/
- https://centerstone.org/our-resources/health-wellness/tips-for-happier-relationships/
- https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Assertive-communication#:~:text=Assertiveness%20means%20expressing%20your%20point,control%20anger
- https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/teamwork/importance-of-teamwork-in-relationships-and-business/
