| As a college professor of communication, I am often | | | | were not the most effective communicators? You |
| asked by students why the skills I teach are important. | | | | didn't get a chance to see what a model of good |
| A lot of what I present in the classroom relates to | | | | interpersonal skills looked like, so why should you be |
| interpersonal skills in the lives of the college student: | | | | expected to know them, do them, and live them? All |
| with friends and family. However, many students are | | | | you need is a little knowledge and a little practice, and |
| taking college coursework to prepare them for a | | | | you'll be on your way to success at work and at |
| professional career. It's important to realize that | | | | home. |
| communication skills are easily transferable. Just how | | | | Here are some suggestions for developing your |
| are the interpersonal skills someone learns useful at | | | | interpersonal communication skills: |
| both home and work? It's not that big of a stretch, | | | | - Self-help books: Visit your local library, book store or |
| really. | | | | favorite on-line book seller and search for subjects like: |
| Look at the job postings in the paper or at one of the | | | | communication, public speaking, relationships, etc. |
| online career search sites. What is the ONE skill | | | | - College classes: Community colleges provide |
| required of almost every job? GOOD | | | | excellent resources to foster adult learners and |
| INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS. What | | | | life-long learning at affordable prices and often have no |
| is the one skill that will make a marriage great? It's not | | | | entrance requirements other than living in the district. |
| being a fantastic cook or a fabulous lover. It's GOOD | | | | - College textbooks: You don't have to take a course |
| INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS. It's no | | | | to get the benefit of reading the textbook! Visit an |
| accident that it takes the same skill set to be | | | | academic bookstore or library (again, your local |
| successful in marriage and at work. | | | | community college is a great resource for this). Look |
| Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying if you are not | | | | for titles about interpersonal communication, public |
| successful at one you won't be successful at the | | | | speaking, introduction to human communication, etc. |
| other. But what I am saying is that with good, solid, | | | | - Websites: Many professional and academic sites |
| interpersonal communication skills, you will be more | | | | offer helpful tips and information. Plug a key word or |
| likely to succeed in both your marriage and in your | | | | phrase into your favorite search engine and surf away. |
| career. | | | | - Get your employer to help: Suggest that your |
| What are some of these skills? Take a look at any | | | | employer consider hiring a speaker, trainer or |
| basic interpersonal communication textbook and read | | | | consultant to help everyone on the job gain similar skills. |
| the titles of the chapters. You'll see perception, | | | | Consultants can provide a needs assessment and |
| intrapersonal communication, listening, language, | | | | create a training program customized to the needs of |
| emotions, non-verbal communication, self-disclosure, | | | | your group. |
| communication climate, conflict resolution, and others. | | | | - Get private help: Communication coaches are trained |
| Being excellent at these skills will make you excellent | | | | professionals, most with years of experience, in helping |
| at being a good friend, good spouse, and good | | | | people learn the skills you want to gain. Many coaches |
| employee, boss and co-worker. | | | | offer group and individual coaching so you can gain the |
| How do you become excellent at interpersonal | | | | skills you want very quickly. |
| communication skills? By learning them and putting | | | | Once you have an opportunity to develop your |
| them into practice as often as possible. | | | | interpersonal communication skills, all you have to do is |
| One fact about communication skills is that there are | | | | regularly put into practice what you have learned. One |
| no "born communicators." We are almost all born with | | | | benefit of gaining better interpersonal skills is you'll soon |
| about the same capacity to speak and understand | | | | start to notice shifts in the way others interact with |
| others. But the skill part-- well, that we have to learn. | | | | you. You will be seen as more powerful, more |
| Some people may have a head start because they | | | | intelligent, and more approachable all at the same time. |
| lived in an environment where the people closest to | | | | If you have never learned communication skills, it is |
| them model good interpersonal communication skills | | | | never too late. Start your journey today--you'll be glad |
| regularly. But what if you grew up with people who | | | | you did! |