How to Train People to Have Interpersonal Skills

Having good interpersonal skills is important in the workplace.

According to the web site impactfactory.com, people with interpersonal skills "connect with other people effortlessly, they seem to know the right things to say and they make communication in general an easy process." Interpersonal skills are an asset in the workplace, and they're important for maintaining friendships and romantic relationships. People who lack interpersonal skills can learn how to develop them. Training people to develop interpersonal skills is often just a case of reinforcing what they already know.

Instructions

1. Encourage positive body language. This may sound basic, but positive body language starts with a smile and direct eye contact. Encourage employees or friends to smile directly at others with a relaxed posture---straight but not stiff shoulders and hands that don't nervously fiddle with nearby objects.

2. Teach active listening. In relationships and in the workplace, listening and showing others that you're truly listening is extremely important. Teach people to restate in their own words what another person has said. This not only signals the speaker that he is being listened to, but it shows the speaker that the listener is genuinely trying to understand what he is saying.

3. Encourage people to communicate clearly, choosing their words carefully so that the meaning is understood. For example, discuss the difference between "I need the report to be finished in a timely fashion" and "I need the report to be finished by tomorrow morning." Although both statements have a similar meaning, the latter communicates an unmistakable deadline.

4. Teach people to always ask questions. Asking questions is essential because communication isn't always perfect or infallible. Tell people that it's always okay to ask a follow-up question to clarify or check your understanding.

5. Remind people to treat others like human beings. In the workplace, it's okay to congratulate people on an aspect of their personal lives or express concern within reason. It shows you're taking an interest in their lives. Keep up to date with the events of people's lives, and congratulate them on milestones like anniversaries, or show concern if someone is going through a difficult time.

6. Promote the expression of appreciation and positivity. Teach people to find one positive and unique thing about everyone they work with and to tell each person. Remind people to always say "thanks" for jobs well done or solid efforts.

References

• Impact Factory: Interpersonal Skills
• Communication Skills: Interpersonal Skills
• All Business: Ten Ways to Improve Your Interpersonal Skills
• Advancing Women: The Quick Fix