Business communication is all about sharing information within and outside an organization for the purpose of financial gain. Now, sharing information involves interacting with people, which involves developing interpersonal skills. Collecting information also involves listening to people. And in addition to interpersonal and listening skills, a skill that is gaining its due importance in the field of communication is emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to put yourself in another’s shoes—your ability to empathize.
Although all these skills are interdependent, let us discuss the importance of each of these skills in detail.
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Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills refer to peoples’ ability to interact and communicate in an organization. People develop these skills over time by socializing in different environments and with different people. Research proves that employees with strong interpersonal skills are highly efficient and successful in their professional lives.
In fact, interpersonal skills form the foundation for good professional and social relationships. Interpersonal skills include a wide range of skills that include verbal and non-verbal communication skills, teamwork, mediation and resolution, and decision-making.
Browse more Topics under Communication
- Types of Communication
- Network in Communication
- Characteristics of Effective Communication
- Barriers in Communication
Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
Verbal communication refers to the day-to-day spoken communication with people in an organization. What we say and how we say it has a huge impact on people. Effective verbal communication should involve clarity of thought, a calm demeanor, and an assertive but polite approach. You should be able to put forth your point of view without offending others.
Non-verbal communication refers to what you communicate through your body language—tone, eye contact, and facial expressions. You should make sure that your body language and tone is in accord with what you want to communicate. You should maintain eye content and your hand gestures should not be culturally offensive.
Teamwork
Being able to work in a team or a group and pursue a common objective is an important interpersonal skill. A good sense of teamwork will also help you to function properly in a group and manage group issues effectively.
Mediation and Resolution
Resolving a problem requires that you keep an open mind and listen to suggestions. By listening to suggestions and alternatives, you can work with others to find an effective solution and solve a problem or a conflict.
Decision-Making
Decision-making is a very important managerial skill. Your ability to work with others and your other interpersonal skills go a long way in developing and honing your decision-making ability. It is a stepping stone to a sound leadership. Decision-making involves working with others to identify the cause of a problem, weigh different solutions, and finalize a course of action.
Listening Skills
In addition to interpersonal skills, listening is also an integral aspect of business communication. It is only when you listen, that you can gather relevant information. Listening involves understanding the intent of what the other person is trying to say. It involves understanding the situation and underlying circumstances and even gauging what a person is unable to say by noticing the body language.
Effective listening goes a long way in building long-lasting business relationships. By listening and understanding what the other person has to say, you give the due respect and channelize the discussion in a positive direction. It enables you to get fresh perspectives and ideas while being updated on recent developments and trends. A good listener is attentive to the topic and does not assume any facts.
You can cultivate and hone your listening skills with constant practice and efforts. To begin with, minimize distractions while listening to the other person. Second, try not to interrupt the conversation even if you agree with the other person’s viewpoint.
Maintain clarity of thought and do not react to the other person’s behavior. Next, understand the intent and jot down important points. Finally, ask questions at the right time to get appropriate responses and to show that you are genuinely interested in what the other person has to say.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence refers to our ability to understand and manage our emotions in any circumstance. Our emotional intelligence largely depends on the values we grow up with, and that determines how we react to a problem or situation. Emotional intelligence also refers to how we manage our relationships with others. It involves being able to put oneself in another’s shoes—to feel what another feels and to be able to empathize.
In a business environment, emotional intelligence goes a long way in building successful relationships. An employee with high emotional intelligence is able to work very well in a team. He/she can understand the team pulse and channelize the team effort towards high productivity and results.
Emotional intelligence is especially required for leadership in today’s business environment where open communication is encouraged. Leaders with high emotional intelligence communicate effectively with their staff and cultivate an environment of mutual trust and respect.
Communication is a two-way process. And emotional intelligence helps you to build the other skills required for effective communication. When a manager is able to empathize, it opens up several channels of communication. The other person also appreciates the empathy and together new ideas and solutions are formed, which eventually lead to the organization’s success.
Solved Example for You
Question. ‘Eye-contact’ is which type of interpersonal skill?
- verbal
- non-verbal
Answer. Non-verbal. Because it does not involve the use of words in written or spoken form and Eye-contact comes under the non-verbal form of communication
Thus, this concludes our discussion on the given topic.
I am a first year student at Makerere university doing A bachelor’s of arts with education ( English and Literature )
really good…
keep up the good work!!!!