Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills include not only how we communicate with others, but also our confidence and our ability to listen and understand. Problem solving, decision making and personal stress management are also considered interpersonal skills.

People with strong interpersonal skills are usually more successful in both their professional and personal lives. They are perceived as more calm, confident and charismatic - qualities that are often endearing or appealing to others. Being more aware of your interpersonal skills can help you improve and develop them.

Interpersonal skills

Communication – 2 or more people

Listening – signs/ sign language signals

Lip Reading – Body expression, Facial

Type of voice - angry, silence / body language, posture

Body Language

A bad interpersonal skill would be not looking at the person talking to you, making them feel like you are not communicating with them. Body language is also another factor as if you are slouched over a table while somebody is trying to teach a class it will give the effect you are not paying attention whereas if you where to sit up and look at the instructor it would show better communication skills. In Rainbow light, when talking to the manager or the owner of the business body language would be very important as respect must be shown therefore standing upright and presenting yourself well. Rainbow Light is a charity teaching young people who are blind etc talking books, giving them the same chance as everyone else. When talking to one of the clients it would be important to behave in a responsible matter.

Eye Contact is one of the most powerful means of communication after words. It can be direct or indirect, long-lasting or short and more usually intermittent when talking to someone in normal conversation. Staring or holding eye contact for too long can make people feel uncomfortable and is unsettling. Appropriate eye contact is important for effective communication. People who like or feel comfortable with each other engage in eye contact more frequently. People who avoid eye contact are likely to be feeling uncomfortable, guilty or embarrassed.

Verbal Communication

The basis of communication is the interaction between people.  Verbal communication is one way for people to communicate face-to-face.  Some of the key components of verbal communication are sound, words, speaking, and language. In Rainbow Light when talking to a manager or someone who is higher up in the charity business than you, you must speak in a formal happy tone of voice, this immediately shows of what kind of person you are and the way you are feeling about talking to this certain person. When talking to a client the tone of voice could change a bit as you need to have fun with the person as they are younger and speak with them in a way they can communicate back. When directly speaking to someone facial structure also comes into play as the way you say things and the mood you are in has effect on your facial structure. By looking at someone’s face we can read their emotion. Small gestures like the eyebrow flash happen almost subconsciously when we greet people we are pleased to see or who we know. A smile can also work wonders when greeting someone for the first time.