Management Skills For Interpersonal Communication

Theories of interpersonal communication

Discuss about the Management Skills for Interpersonal Communication.

In the era of intense competition and dynamic environment, effective communication in an organization is an effective tool to combat the challenges. It is important that the people working in an organization should have a clear conception about each other and be aware of any kind of pitfall that might decrease the efficiency of work.  If this objective has to be achieved, it is important that the manager or the leader of the organization shall have the understanding of the members of the organization (Peacock, 2015). In order to gain knowledge about these people, communicating with people directly is the most effective way. It is for the same reason, developing inter personal communication skill is important for managing people.

The aim of the report is to analyze the importance of inter personal communication in the recent situation. In order to gain knowledge about the importance of this quality, a number of theories and models related to the understanding of inter personal communication will be evaluated in the report. In addition to this, the action plan set to develop my knowledge and understanding of inter personal communication will also be evaluated. It is based on the complete evaluation, a conclusion will be drawn about my achievement in developing the particular managerial skill in myself and other things that I might undertake to improve my capability to deal with certain situations where inter personal communication might play a vital role.

There are a number of theories that tells about the importance of developing inter personal communication and how it helps a leader or a manger to perform his role better. Gaining a theoretical knowledge about the importance of interpersonal communication and what the renowned scholars and researchers have to say about the importance of inter personal communication will enhance my knowledge about the understanding of this particular managerial skill. These theories are important to understand how inter personal communication should be conducted in order to gain better results in the communication process (Hui & Yee, 2015). Some of these inter personal communication theories are discussed below:

Social Penetration Theory explains the importance of relational closeness with the people whom we are surrounded by. The theory states that relationship among people develops over time, only by the means self discloser (Mitra & Chatterjee, 2016). This discloser has been characterized by the means of three layers. These are:

Social Penetration Theory

Surface layer: It is when people make inferences about a person based on the general and limited information gathered about the person (Raju et al., 2014).

Peripheral layer: In this layer, people often peeled the first layer but still have general information about the person that is often shared in the social situations.

Intermediate layer: This layer contains the information about the person that is infrequently shared with people but is not hidden (Raju et al., 2014).

Central layer: This is the final layer where people are known about the private information of the individual. This deep information might disclose information regarding emotion or core believes of the person.

It is common that people are aware about the superficial information about a person and the core information often remained hidden. However, as the interpersonal communication develops among people, it is expected that people will be known about the core value of the person that shall give rise to a better relationship (Hui & Yee, 2015). In this respect, it can be said that when people work together, understanding each other becomes vital and therefore gaining evident core information about the person becomes a necessity.

This theory states the importance of developing communication with people to reduce the uncertainty about the person. It is primarily important to establish communication between strangers. In the view point of Knapp, Vangelisti and Caughlin, (2014), that the primary goal if communication with strangers is to decrease uncertainty to increase predictability. At this stage, during the interaction people are often found to explain their point of view to avoid uncertainty. Scholars have found that this theory is of utter importance and provide a vital support in shaping an individual’s thought (Mitra & Chatterjee, 2016). For example, uncertainty reduction is important in case of a patient when the person goes for check up to a physician or a doctor (Monaghan, Goodman & Robinson, 2012). Therefore, it is always motivated to increase interpersonal communication to reduce assumptions and create a relation that has a long term planning.

With further explanation, a theory was proposed in accordance to Uncertainty Reduction Theory is Uncertainty Management Theory. According to this theory, uncertainty often leads to a number of relationship demolishing factors and generates anxiety among others. It also causes a feeling of insecurity about the situation and circumstances in which people find them. In addition to this, it has been pointed out by Marx, (2015), in such cases, the little information that one has about the person also does not matter. However, the Uncertainty Management Theory has emphasizes on the fact that once a certain level of uncertainty is removed, people might have the courage to trust others and in fact might also focus on seeking opinion from the person. Therefore, a certain level of interpersonal communication is required to create better understanding among the people working together. In case of an organization or an institute, unless a clear understanding is reached among the people, it is not possible to gain better result of the working process. Further it has been stated by Braithwaite and Schrodt, (2014), that in order to achieve better results it is important to seek better opportunity to reduce any kind of uncertainty. Again, if the uncertainty can be cleared out by the means of communication method then more focus should be made on interpersonal communication among the people.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

According to the Relational Dialectics Theory, relationship often reflects tension, conflicts and contradiction among people. Actually, relationships are organized in a dynamic interplay of opposing tendencies. There are certain important factors that are required to correct the relationship (Fussell & Kreuz, 2014). There are situations, when tension arises due to fact that an individual think that the other person might win and in such cases the other person suffers some kind of dilemma or tension. In order to combat those situations, it is important that an interpersonal communication is developed among the people in operation (Mitra & Chatterjee, 2016).

Relational Dialectics Theory also states the benefits of relational dialects and how it can improve situations. In the view point of Berger (2014), that lack of proper communication and knowledge about a person often leads to a number of negative consequences. These could be contradiction of thoughts, tension at the work place that might hinder both privacy and openness. Therefore, it is important to develop a relational communication among the people who are associated together in order to achieve the same goal (Knapp, Vangelisti & Caughlin, 2014).

This theory explains the process and mechanism underlying the thoughts and messages in an individual’s working procedure. According to this theory, memory of a person plays a great role in preserving relationship between people (Mitra & Chatterjee, 2016). Further, it has been stated that an individual has subset memory based on the experience that the person gathers in life and it is only based on this memory that the person becomes judgmental towards others (Danziger, 2013). However, the strength of the record can be increased or decreased on the basis of inter personal communication with the person as well. A repetitive inter personal communication can easily strengthen the arguments of a person and this unique response can fix quickly and efficiently any kind of dilemma or chaotic situation that might have aroused as a result of limited knowledge (Berger, 2014).

Communication Accommodation Theory tells about the fact that an individual usually modifies the way of communicating depending on the person whom the communication is made with (Knapp, Vangelisti & Caughlin, 2014). This theory suggests that an individual predicts the behavior of the person and then modifies the way they talk with the person (Hewes, 2013). This modification helps the person to make better inter personal communication that results in better outcome until otherwise. The theory further suggests that at the time of making the modification, two things might happen. These are:

Uncertainty Management Theory

Convergence: In terms of understanding the other person, it might happen that the two persons understood each other and it is based on their understanding, a convergence is created among them (Parks & Faw, 2014). In such case, there is a high possibility of the success of the aim of the inter personal communication.

Divergence: On the other hand, there might arises the situation when the two persons did not develop any kind of understanding and that ultimately resulted in divergence of their opinion. In such situation, failure of inter personal communication takes place and the aim of communicating with the person remained unfulfilled (Derlaga & Berg, 2013).

It is therefore, important to understand the perspective of the one with whom communication takes place. In this respect, it has been pointed out by Guerrero (2014), that in order to understand people and how one should communicate with them, it is important to understand their culture. With the increasing cross cultural in the workplace and other places, it is one of the important criteria for a successful inter personal communication (Hui & Yee, 2015).

This particular theory is also based on the understanding of the impact of difference in people due to a difference in their culture or country. The Speech Codes Theory states that there exists a difference in the way one speaks (Knapp, Vangelisti & Caughlin, 2014). These differences have been termed as codes. In order to make a successful inter personal communication with the person having a different code, it is important to understand that code (Verderber & Verderber, 2014). A code of communication provides certain rules and practices that one should keep in mind while making inter personal communication. However, as stated by DeVito, Clark and Shimoni (2012) that these codes depend on the social construction. These are basically a response to the society where the person belongs to. Understanding the codes depends on the ability of the person who make inter personal communication. Further, it has been stated that these codes might also contain a number of signs and symbols that the communicator should understand (Verderber & Verderber, 2014).

Inter personal communication also ask for keeping things concealed. In the view point of Agbara, Inegbedion and Okenimkpe (2015), when a person makes inter personal communication, the person has a hope that whatever information is shared with the person, it shall be kept private and the communicator will not disclose it to others. Thus, there arises an expectation of trust on the person. The theory has originally been applied to personal relationship, also holds importance in inter personal communication (Knapp, Vangelisti & Caughlin, 2014). Therefore, it falls under the responsibility of the listener that whatever is shared to him, if requested should be kept private and confidential (Bambacas & Patrickson, 2014). This is an important factor in business or work place scenario where businesses are conducted on a certain level of privacy. Therefore, this theory holds important in the managerial function of a leader or a manager.

Relational Dialectics Theory

The action plan made by me was to improve my interpersonal communication. I feel that it is a vital component of life and if I will be able to make proper communication with people in life, I will be able to achieve my life goals. The action plan made by me was time specific and therefore, helped me to cope with the activities step by step. I have tried my best to garnish my ability and bring out the best from the learning outcome. In Week 2, my aim was to work on my verbal communication skill. In order to achieve this, I realized that increasing interaction with people will help me to understand my position and how much I am able to communicate or present my thoughts to others (Knapp, Vangelisti & Caughlin, 2014). Keeping the same factor in mind, I devoted more time in communicating with my friends, their friends, some of my neighbors and other known people.      The aim of the next week was to work on the deficiency in my communicating skills. By communicating with these people I have understood that I cannot talk with in the similar way with everyone. It is important to understand the nature of the person to have a long term relationship or a quality conversation with them. If I fail to understand this, there is a great chance of the failure of the complete communication process. In order to get an in depth idea about nature of communication and how one should interact with people, I have read a number of books and journals related to communication process. The theoretical concept has also helped me gained better knowledge and the reason behind the communication skills that I was lacking (Hui & Yee, 2015).

The very next aim was to represent myself in front of others. I found that this was the most challenging phase of communication for me (Mitra & Chatterjee, 2016). Gaining knowledge from various sources is a different thing and then presenting the same to other people in community is completely different. However, I have tried my best to perform the best as per my ability to make a presentation that shall deliver my understanding towards others. I had practiced for a number of times to present the power point presentation that I had made to present at my class. I hope that my hard work will be paid off.

Action Assembly Theory

Another important thing I would like to mention is that during the preparation of developing my interpersonal communication skill, the references that I used were extremely helpful. It is by gaining knowledge and understanding from the various theories and models of communication, I have understood that interpersonal communication holds great place in shaping the image of a person (Mitra & Chatterjee, 2016). It is therefore, important for a person to create a positive image among others. I have also understood that in case, a person has any kind of doubt or harsh feelings about others, with an interpersonal communication with the person, the same rage and miscommunication can be demolished easily (Bambacas & Patrickson, 2014).

In the course of learning and practical implication of my knowledge, I came across some people of different culture. Meeting with those people has helped me immensely to gain knowledge about the importance of having a good communication skill. If I foresee my future, I would like to highlight this point that today’s work culture is extremely related to globalization and cross culture. In order to keep pace with the dynamic environment of the work place, it is important for a leader or a manager to take the importance of cross culture and communication in a work place. It can be said that keeping an interpersonal communication with the employees of the workplace, better understanding can be made (Hui & Yee, 2015). In order to make things smooth and well running, it is important to undertake the various aspects of the people working in the organization. In case of a cross culture work environment, issues related to proper communication and the ability to deal with various situations that occurred as a result if mixed cultural environment needed to be solved by the leader of the organization.

Apart from this, in case I would like to pursue further education, there are great chances that the educational institute will also be full of people from different countries and cultures. In such cases, creating a good understanding among the classmates is very important (Bambacas & Patrickson, 2014). However, some foreign students find it challenging to cope with the other students and at time, these confusions lead to chaotic situations. Therefore, in order to avoid such situations, a better communication among the people in the same organization or institute is very important.

Conclusion:

The thorough discussion made on one of the vital managerial skills, developing of good inter personal communication has helped to gain about the advantage of inter personal communication and the disadvantage of not having proper skill of inter personal communication. A detail understanding of both the theoretical knowledge and the practical understanding and assumptions has helped to understand that this skill could be easily considered as the most important and influential factor that can create a positive implication in the work place. As mentioned that in recent scenario with the advent of globalization, there has been an increase in cross cultural environment. In order to create a positive implication on the people with different culture or language, inter personal communication is important. Therefore, it can be easily said that one of the key component that can make a leader successful in its business endeavor is by carrying out better inter personal communication with the people around the work place.   

Communication Accommodation Theory

If my personal skills are taken into consideration, it can be said that I have realized that I can communicate with people nicely but there are some areas that needs to be improved. For instance, I found that communicating with people from other culture was a bit difficult for me. Therefore, I have undermine that I can increase my knowledge about cross culture if I devote extra time in educating myself with better knowledge about the culture of people belonging to different countries. I believe that I can achieve this target if I do a bit of hard work and research on cross culture. I believe that by the time I will be a part of the corporate world, I would be capable enough with all the managerial skills that would help me to prove myself a good leader.

Reference list:

Agbara, C. U., Inegbedion, J. O., & Okenimkpe, M. (2013). Interpersonal communication skills.

Bambacas, M., & Patrickson, M. (2013). Interpersonal communication skills that enhance organisational commitment. Journal of Communication Management, 12(1), 51-72.

Berger, C. R. (Ed.). (2014). Interpersonal communication (Vol. 6). Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG.

Berger, J. (2014). Word of mouth and interpersonal communication: A review and directions for future research. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 24(4), 586-607.

Braithwaite, D. O., & Schrodt, P. (Eds.). (2014). Engaging theories in interpersonal communication: Multiple perspectives. Sage Publications.

Danziger, K. (2013). Interpersonal Communication: Pergamon General Psychology Series (Vol. 53). Elsevier.

Derlaga, V. J., & Berg, J. H. (Eds.). (2013). Self-disclosure: Theory, research, and therapy. Springer Science & Business Media.

DeVito, J. A., Clark, D., & Shimoni, R. (2012). Messages: Building interpersonal communication skills. Addison Wesley Longman.

Fussell, S. R., & Kreuz, R. J. (2014). Social and cognitive approaches to interpersonal communication. Psychology Press.

Guerrero, L. K. (2014). 3 Interpersonal functions of nonverbal communication. Interpersonal Communication, 6, 53.

Hewes, D. E. (2013). The cognitive bases of interpersonal communication. Routledge.

Hui, S. L., & Yee, R. W. (2015). Relationship among Interpersonal Relationship, Customer Satisfaction and Brand Loyalty in Fashion Retailing Industry. Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, 19(1), 65-72.

Knapp, M. L., Vangelisti, A. L., & Caughlin, J. P. (2014). Interpersonal Communication & Human Relationships. Pearson Higher Ed.

Marx, P. K. (2015). COMX 115S. 03C: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication.

Mitra, D., & Chatterjee, I. (2016). Interpersonal Relationship Needs of Employees of Private and Public Sector Organizations: A FIRO Perspective.Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 9(7), 5-22.

Monaghan, L., Goodman, J. E., & Robinson, J. M. (2012). A cultural approach to interpersonal communication: Essential readings. John Wiley & Sons.

Parks, M. R., & Faw, M. H. (2014). 17 Relationships among relationships: Interpersonal communication and social networks. Interpersonal Communication, 6, 395.

Peacock, M. (2015). Exploration of interpersonal relationship development: finding the key to student engagement in blended delivery courses.

Raju, N. J., Valsaraj, B. P., & Noronha, J. A. (2014). Online Social Networking among Professional Students: Impact on Interpersonal Relationship. International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology, 3 (3), 289-292.

Verderber, R. F., & Verderber, K. S. (2014). Inter-act: Using interpersonal communication skills. Wadsworth Publishing Company.