Interpersonal Communication

The Basic Principles

“…interpersonal communication occurs not when you simply interact with someone, but when you treat the other person as a unique human being”.

Beebe, Beebe, and Redmond, 2002

Who does it?

Family Members Friends Coworkers

How does it happen?

Written communication- (email, letters, etc.)

Face to face Voice messages

What are the fundamentals?

Building trust Developing Emotional Intelligence Respecting Others Life/Career Stages Understand Social Position Respect Gender Differences Keep Romance Away Be Aware of Coworkers with

Disabilities.

Building Trust

Consistency Communication

CooperationCommonality

Emotional Intelligence

Skills of Emotional Intelligence

Be able to perceive emotion in yourself and others

Select appropriate responses to situations

Learned by experience - not something that is learned in a book

Treat everyone fairly - treat someone as you would want to be treated

Fosters warm positive friendships and work success

Respecting Life Stages

Silent Generation Born between 1922-1945

Characteristics Life Events

Patriotic WWII

Loyal Stock Market Crash/ Great Depression

Hard Working Korean War

Follow Orders-No Questions Radio was Invented

Characteristics Life Events

Rebellious Civil Rights

Movers and Shakers Sex, Drugs, and Rock N Roll

Love/ hate Authority Vietnam War

Optimistic Assassinations of Key Political Figures

Baby BoomersBorn 1922-1945

Characteristics Life Events

Skeptical Watergate

Independent MTV

Concerned with self-preservation Personal Computers

Creditability Ranked #1 Internet

AIDS

Generation XBorn Between 1965-1981

Charactistics Life Events

Listens well Rank #1 Fall of Berlin Wall

Fast Paced Multitaskers Columbine Shootings

Street Smart 9/11

Patriotic

Global Outlook

Optomistic

Millennial Born Between 1992-2000

Social Position

Remember- Older workers are individuals Don’t assume Value their experience Don’t Play Boss

Tips in Dealing with Social Position

Gender In The Workplace

Women Dealing with Men Men Dealing with Women

Speak Up Use Polite Relationship Markers

Void tag endings/Vocal inflections Don’t Monopolize Conversations or Speak for a Woman

Don’t take male comments as relationship advice

Don’t call women patronizing names

Be aware of personal information Avoid “Barking” Tones

Give non-verbal cues

Tips on “How to Deal” With The Opposite Gender

Romance in the Workplace

AVOID

Too much Emotional energy

If it happens…Keep it Professional

Guidelines

Communication and Disabilities

Contact

Ask, Don’t Assume

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Empathize

Tips on how to communicate with a person who has a disability

“…Practical terms, understanding others in the workplace requires being able to communicate with them in ways that will be effective, appropriate, and appreciated.”

Information Processing Preferences

Extravert Introvert

Sensate Intuitive

Analytical Global

Judger Perceiver

Who are you really talking to??

Don’t Ever Assume

Balance Assignments

Work Together

Tips on finding a balance between different styles

…No matter how skilled, prepared, motivated, and responsible the individuals involved in a group, personality differences will always exist. Those differences lead to different ways of being skilled, prepared motivated, and responsible…

The Take Away…