Effective Interpersonal Communications
Noted by the prefix ‘inter’, the term interpersonal suggests a distinct consideration on the internal connection that one has with another which is established through good and proper communication shared between the two individuals involved in the conversation. Relatively, it could be understood that the concept specifically directed towards determining the value of interpersonal communication is that of the thoughtfulness that one shares with another. With the idea of ‘thought’ being the primary element of this pattern of communication, it is expected that the one establishing the conversation has a distinct concern for the other’s welfare. This indicates that the conversation would actually entail to come in form of a more intimate connection rather than just the regular process of speaking with each other.
The primary factor that contributes to such form of communication is listening. One’s desire to know prompts him to listen closely to what the other has to say. When a problem is being shared by another, it is important for the one listening to understand the situation fully and to not interrupt whenever he feels like it. Relatively, there are instances when some people specifically share their emotions and concerns with the simple hope of having someone to listen to them and give them the attention they need. This may not necessarily involve giving advice or anything else. Hence, for someone in the listening side, he should be able to determine whether or not the one talking actually hopes to hear some advice or does he simply want to speak out his mind to free off the burdens in his emotions.
Another factor that contributes to good principles of interpersonal communication is the willingness of one to fully understand the situation and give empathy to the one hoping to be heard. What entices one to speak out his mind is to have someone who would have an open mind to at least see things his way and not insist on what must be done. For instance, between a parent and a teenager, a teenager will of course differently from her parent. This is because of the lack of experience and the young age that she is in. Nevertheless, a willful parent who is willing to share healthy communication with her teenager would be willing to listen fully to what the younger person has to say. Thinking of the time when she was also at her teenager’s situation, the parent would be able to adjust to the situation and be able to see matters the way the younger individual is seeing things. Relatively, through this inter-connection, the parent would be able to provide useful advice when the teenager actually asks for it.
While there are principles that improve the value of interpersonal communication one shares with another, there are also factors that deters the said worth of conversation between individuals. There are instances when the ones at the listening side want to cut in every now and then to say their side of the story, hoping that the one sharing her thoughts would actually gain some lesson from such personal examples. This is not the proper way of listening. Instead, it invokes the other to just stop and realize that she is not to be heard properly by the other. Getting one’s self out of the picture and concentrating on what the other has to say is very important. It should be realized by the ones at the listening side that there are instances when their thoughts are not fully appreciated. There are times when listening provides the highest and most important value that determines the effectiveness of the communication that the individuals share.
References:
Shannon, C. E., & Weaver, W. (1999). The mathematical theory of communication. Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois Press
Chandler, Daniel. "The Transmission Model of Communication", Aber.ac.uk
Berlo, D. K. (1999). The process of communication. New York, New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.
Schramm, W. (1999). How communication works. In W. Schramm (Ed.), The process and effects of communication (pp. 3–26). Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois Press.
Innis, Harold. Empire and Communications. Rev. by Mary Q. Innis; foreword by Marshall McLuhan. Toronto, Ont.: University of Toronto Press, 1972. xii, 184 p. N.B.:
