5 Tips To Improve Your Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal communication is a form of communication we all engage in daily. 

Some of us have strong interpersonal communication skills, and others of us can benefit from strengthening our skills. 

No matter what end of the spectrum you are on, I’m sharing tips that will help improve your interpersonal communication skills.

Stick around if you want to strengthen your communication skills.

What Is Interpersonal Communication?

Interpersonal communication is where information is exchanged between two or more people. 

As with all forms of communication, interpersonal can be verbal or nonverbal. 

Interpersonal communication is essential because it helps with personal development and relationships. 

Six elements affect this type of communication and they are the communicators, message, noise, feedback, context, and channel.

This type of communication allows individuals to give and collect information depending on their position as the sender or receiver. 

No matter the position we all can benefit from clear and effective exchanges. 

Here are some tips to facilitate the effectiveness of these exchanges. 

Put Away Your Phone During Interpersonal Communication

Smartphones have changed the way we interact with each other. There is decreased human interaction, eye contact, attention spans, and personal relationships. 

Putting your phone away before any human interaction such as a date, meeting, or conversation shows the other party or parties that you are willing to give them your undivided attention and you respect them and their time. 

Have you ever had a conversation with someone and the whole time they keep checking their phone or answering text messages and calls? 

I have, and I was completely turned off and stopped talking. I felt that what I was sharing was not important enough for them to stop and listen. 

Because I have had this experience, I put the phone away when I have interpersonal interactions. 

Maintain Eye Contact During Interpersonal Communication

I learned at an early age the importance of eye contact but everyone does not share the same experience. 

I know eye contact can make some people uncomfortable but it makes conversations more meaningful. 

Eye contact shows the speaker that you understand what they are saying and it helps them feel validated. 

When people look away from a speaker for long periods it can be an indication of boredom and that you have stopped listening.

Some people may feel that maintaining eye contact means you can never look away while a person is speaking. Incorrect. You can and should look away from time to time so you don’t make the person speaking uncomfortable. 

Avoid Making Presumptions And Assumptions During Interpersonal Communication

Sometimes during interpersonal communications, we make assumptions about things we have no idea. 

Instead of asking questions, we jump to conclusions.  We have all encountered someone who jumps to conclusions and once we get the answer we realize we were far off. 

This can lead to a person closing themselves off and derailing communication. 

It is important to remember that everyone does not share the same experiences so placing assumptions on others becomes unfair to them and the information they are trying to convey.  

Instead of making assumptions, ask questions and actively listen. Making sure you receive all the information before creating your answers allows for fewer misunderstandings.

Participate In Active Listening During Interpersonal Communication

Active Listening allows for the speaker to communicate without interruption. It also allows for the listener to focus on what the person is saying and understand the message they are conveying. 

When we don’t participate in active listening, we show people that we don’t value the information they are sharing. 

Even though you may try to someone you can relate to what they are saying finishing someone’s sentence does not come across that way to the speaker. 

If there is something you want to make sure you understand while you are active listening, make sure you wait until the person has finished. 

Once they have finished speaking, ask your question or repeat what you have the person said in your own words. This shows the person that you were listening and they will be more willing to explain anything that confused you. 

Be Aware Of Your Gestures And Posture During Interpersonal Communication

Most of us are familiar with nonverbal communication. Most of the time we communicate nonverbally and it is unconscious. 

You can tell someone how receptive you are without opening your mouth. 

Think about if you were talking to someone and they started folding their arms while you were talking.  

Now that can mean a couple of things so you would have to look at the context in which it happened. 

But initially, you would think that the person was not receptive to what you were saying. 

Gestures and postures can keep people from sharing important information especially if they suggest we are not receptive. 

Some of the body languages that suggests we are open are:

• Relaxed posture
• Uncrossed arms
• Eye contact 
• Smiling

These are just some of the tips you can use to improve your interpersonal communication. 

Remember good and effective interpersonal communication helps us all eliminate mishaps and miscommunications. 

If we worked together on your life purpose makeover journey, stage 2 step 4 is where focus on interpersonal communication.