• Define interpersonal skills and explain their importance in human relationships.
Interpersonal skills are skills we use in daily life as we communicate and interact with others
(Susi Hardjati, 2019). Are considered to be the soft skills that allow human beings to interact
with others (Mseti, 2024). In fact no human being can coexist with others without effective
interpersonal skills. It’s only through transmitting meaning in what we are saying or doing that
information and ideas can be conveyed to others. Interpersonal skills are the competencies
required by employers or organizations from their employees. Performing organizations have
employees with outstanding interpersonal skills. They include communication, decision making,
team work or collaboration, negotiations, problem solving, conflict resolution, cultural awareness
and emotional intelligence (Susi Hardjati, 2019). These Interpersonal skills are developed
gradually in the life time of a person as one interacts with one another or a group. Through
verbal and non- verbal communication, one is able to channel his or her thoughts to others. The
mind shapes words, symbols or pictures that can only be expressed through communication.
• Overview of the interpersonal skills
Communication: Human beings spend more or working hours communicating –writing,
reading, speaking and listening to others. Lack of effective communication inhibits successful
group performance.
Negotiation and conflict management: Issues of conflicts are bound to happen when two or
more people interact. To be able to bring aggrieved parties to an agreement, negotiation skills are
very crucial.
Emotional intelligence: Human beings are faced with a myriad of emotional or stressing
moments which results into serious thoughts and frustrations. Emotionally intelligent people
must have capacity to observe and comprehend their emotions and of others and be able to make
prompt positive decisions for the general wellbeing of the society.
Problem solving and decision making: Life poses many challenging situations that require
problem solving and decision making skills. These challenges may be social, emotional or
economical. Any situation that is a threat to actualization of organizational goals is a problem
that requires solving. To be able to handle that requires one to have problem solving skills.
Team work or collaboration: Team work or collaboration can only nurtured where two or more
people relate with each other. The greatness of a team lies in its ability to collaborate with team
members. For example students are able to participate in critical thinking, read, listen and present
their findings.
Communication: Is the process of interchanging thoughts, feelings or information. No group or
organization can exist without communication. It is only through transmitting meaning from one
person to another that information or ideas can be conveyed. Perfect communication occurs
when the sender’s message is well understood by the recipient. The message could be well
structured oral or written- verbal or through gestures or body movements- non verbal.
2. Communication Skills
Verbal communication occurs when there is face to face, group discussions, telephone, media
conferencing, notes, emails, memos, interviews among others.
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