Interpersonal communication plays an integral role not only in boosting relationships at the workplace but also in enhancing one’s relationships with family members and friends. According to Sethi " Seth (2009), interpersonal communication refers to the process through which individuals swap feelings and information through the use of verbal and non-verbal messages. It is thus deducible that it is instrumental in building our relationships with other people. Interpersonal communication, therefore, is one of the important skills one needs to succeed both at family and workplace level. Personally, I consider interpersonal communication necessary if one has to relate well with family members, friends, as well as colleagues. Although interpersonal communication includes oral, non-verbal, or written forms, it is usually applied when the spoken communication occurs between two or more people on a personal level. This paper examines key aspects of interpersonal communication: elements, styles, barriers, and ways of overcoming the barriers.
Elements of Interpersonal Communication
Communicators form one of the elements of interpersonal communication. For communication to occur, there must be at least two people present. While communication is conventionally seen as involving the message sender and the receiver, communication today is more complex. Interpersonal communication, therefore, involves a two-way process with individuals sending and receiving messages from one another (Sethi " Seth, 2009).
The message is another element of interpersonal communication. According to Sethi " Seth (2009), the message is not just the communication being passed across. There are other non-verbal messages that are conveyed in interpersonal communication. The non-verbal messages that can be exchanged between the individuals communicating include body language, facial expressions, voice tone, and gestures. One can gather a lot from the non-verbal messages during communication. For example, the tone of the voice with which one is communicating with can determines how the message is received. Personally, I ensure that my non-verbal communication is consistent with the information I try to convey to my friends and family.
Noise is also another interpersonal communication element (Hellriegel " Slocum, 2009). Noise, in this case, can be said to be anything that changes the message such that the one received is different from the one intended by the sender. As such, noise can be said to be a barrier to interpersonal communication. According to Sethi " Seth (2009), while physical ‘noise’ can interfere with the communication, there are other aspects that can prevent the intended message from reaching the receiver. These aspects include cultural disparities, unsuitable body language, and intricate language. As such, in interpersonal communication, it is imperative that one is aware of these aspects that may hinder communication. For example, when communicating with an individual from another culture, it is important to understand that their slang or interpretation of certain words may be different. This understanding can help one communicate better and thus improve relationships.
Feedback is also another interpersonal communication element and it allows the sender to know that the message has been received (Sethi " Seth, 2009). Feedback takes many forms such as verbal statements and facial expressions. One can just nod to acknowledge the receipt of the message. At the workplace, feedback goes a long way in enhancing the relationship in the workplace. According to Myers " Sadaghiani (2010), in today’s workplace environment, millennials expect frequent and regular from their supervisors. In this sense, feedback can be said to not only improve relationships but also improve job satisfaction.
The background and channel are the final interpersonal communication elements. As informed by Sethi " Seth (2009), interpersonal communication is affected by the background in which it takes place. In the workplace, the way one communicates with the supervisor is different from the way they communicate with colleagues during informal meetings. The channels through which messages are conveyed in interpersonal communication are vision and speech. It is important that one takes into consideration these aspects in order for the interpersonal communication to boost interaction with others.
Interpersonal Communication Styles
There exist six major interpersonal communication styles that take place in the workplace context. Controlling is the first style and it involves one-way communication where an individual gives direction to other members of the organization in the process gains their compliance (Inc., n.d.). When this style is used by a manager, there is no feedback required and power is employed when passing the message. While this can be effective in some situations, it can alienate the employees of the organization. The egalitarian style is the second style and it involves a two-way communication where individuals can express their opinions and ideas such that a mutual understanding is achieved. Structuring is the third style and it is used to establish schedules in the workplace. The fourth style is dynamic and as informed by Inc. (n.d.), it is a high-energy framework that utilizes inspirational pleas to motivate individuals to do something. While this approach can be effective during a crisis, it is ineffective when the receivers of the message do not possess the necessary experience to carry out the task required. The fifth style is relinquishing and it is highly receptive to opinion and ideas of other people. In this style, the responsibility for communication is passed to the individuals receiving the message. Finally, withdrawal style involves the manager being unwilling to engage in discussions.
The Barriers to Effective Interpersonal Communication and How to Overcome Them
Understanding the barriers to effective communication is imperative as it helps us find ways through which we can overcome them. According to Sethi " Seth (2009), sentiments form one of the barriers to effective interpersonal communication. In this case, intense emotions can hinder the communication process as the message can be misconstrued. In order to overcome this barrier, it is essentials for individuals to contain their emotions, particularly when passing information about sensitive matters. When information is passed in a neutral manner, a mutual understanding between the communicators can take place.
Filtering is also a barrier and it involves the sender manipulating the message so that it can be favorable to the receiver. When the receiver finds out the information was sifted, it can lead to disappointment. This barrier can be overcome by passing information as it is rather than withholding other parts.
Defensiveness is another barrier where individuals avoid a mutual understanding when they are put in a difficult situation. In this case, the receiver can assault the information received or they canbe highly judgmental. This can be overcome by listening ardently and responding with facts and admitting that one is on the wrong.
Importance of Interpersonal Communication Skills
Being an effective interpersonal communicator is beneficial to both our personal and professional lives. According to Hargie (2017), the presence of another person is motivating and arousing and affects our behavior. The author points out that when we engage in interpersonal communication, positive changes occur in our emotional states. I agree to a great extent with the author given that I enjoy engaging with my friends and family members at an interpersonal level. The author also points out that, as human beings, we have an innate need for relationships. Hargie (2017) also points out that the development of meaningful ties with other people is essential for one to be ‘fully human’. In this sense, we engage in interpersonal communication to enhance our relationships with other people.
At the workplace, working together is essential for achieving the goals of the organizational goals. For the members of the organization to work together effectively to achieve set goals, interpersonal communication has to come in. Individuals have to understand both the verbal and non-verbal messages from colleagues as well as the management. It is through interpersonal communication that individuals can develop meaningful friendships and relationships. Hargie (2017) also points out that the ability to communicate effectively is one of the key factors considered during recruitment of employees in the workplace. Therefore, it is evident that interpersonal communication plays a significant role in almost every aspect of our lives.
Conclusion
Interpersonal communication is a significant part of one’s personal and professional lives. It helps one maintain healthy relationships with family members and friends as well as with colleagues at the workplace. Understanding aspects of interpersonal communication such as elements, styles, barriers, and ways of overcoming barriers can thus help one in cultivating better relationships with individuals in different facets of life.
References
Hargie, O. (2017). Skilled Interpersonal Communication: Research, Theory and Practice. Abingdon: Taylor " Francis.
Hellriegel, D., " Slocum, J. W. (2009). Organizational Behavior. Boston: Cengage Learning.
Inc. (n.d.). Interpersonal Communication. Retrieved April 5, 2018, from Inc.: https://www.inc.com/encyclopedia/interpersonal-communication.html
Myers, K. K., " Sadaghiani., K. (2010). Millennials in the workplace: A communication perspective on millennials’ organizational relationships and performance. Journal of Business and Psychology , 25 (2), 225-238.
Sethi, D., " Seth, M. (2009). Interpersonal communication: Lifeblood of an organization. IUP Journal of Soft Skills , 3 (3), 32-40.
