| Interpersonal communication has a lot to do with | | | | It will help your interpersonal communication immensely |
| non-verbal cues as well as what you say. People | | | | if you can try to see things from the other person's |
| unconsciously detect a lot of meaning - and | | | | point of view. You will be surprised at how quickly |
| sometimes misinterpret it - from body language. Making | | | | simply acknowledging that the other person has a valid |
| sure that you are using the right kind of body language | | | | point of view will defuse many heated arguments. Part |
| can help to prevent an awful lot of problems with | | | | of this empathy is also about allowing pauses and |
| interpersonal communication. | | | | silences so that you can both think. Try not to shoot |
| 1. Position | | | | words back and forth like balls in a tennis volley; pause |
| Believe it or not, where you stand or sit in relation to | | | | and review the situation; think how you can progress a |
| the person you are attempting to communicate with | | | | conversation productively. |
| can make a big difference to the conversation. | | | | 6. Be clear |
| Standing face to face with someone can be | | | | If you have a point of view to communicate, say it. |
| intimidating and feel confrontational. | | | | Say it with an understanding that others have a right to |
| Instead, try sitting side by side. Better still, walk and talk | | | | disagree with you, but say it with conviction. People will |
| together. That seems to bring people in synch'. | | | | listen to you and you will provoke further thought. In |
| 2. Read between the lines | | | | contrast, if people aren't sure what you are trying to |
| If an argument has continued for more than ten | | | | say, they will become frustrated and they will also |
| minutes, the chances are that you are not addressing | | | | begin to distrust you as you don't seen to have the |
| the real issue. Now may not be the time to do that if | | | | courage of your convictions. |
| feelings are running high, but the choice is to take a | | | | 7. Use appropriate vocabulary |
| break or address the real issue; any further arguing is | | | | It's no good talking in a way in which your audience |
| just counter-productive. | | | | don't understand; they won't learn a thing and your |
| 3. Trust your instincts | | | | conversation will get nowhere. Use simple, everyday |
| Your instincts are a major part of interpersonal | | | | language and if you need to use technical terms, |
| communication; they will help you to detect if someone | | | | explain them. Remember to not belittle your audience, |
| is lying - for instance, if someone fakes a look of | | | | though; that will stop them listening to you openly if |
| innocence, it is often subconsciously rather than any | | | | they feel you do not respect them. |
| other way that you will detect dishonesty. | | | | These guidelines are all quite simple, as |
| Of course, as well as the above non-verbal aspects | | | | interpersonalcommunication needn't be a difficult thing. It |
| of communication, what you say is important in | | | | should be about a meeting of minds; a meeting on the |
| interpersonal conversation. | | | | same level. The message to be communicated should |
| 4. Don't be afraid to be graphic | | | | be the most important thing and you should be |
| A graphic, specific detail can be really effective | | | | focusing upon how you can enable your audience to |
| ininterpersonal communication. It can be really | | | | understand your message if you are the one to have |
| memorable. | | | | something to communicate; if you are the one |
| When you want to memorable, give your interpersonal | | | | receiving the message, you should do your best to |
| communication some memorable features such as a | | | | listen and give the other person chance to talk. Those |
| vivid detail, story or a detail. Be controversial if you | | | | simple things should really help you in your interpersonal |
| want to and can handle the consequences. | | | | communication. |
| 5. Try to empathize | | | | |