Develop interpersonal communication for workplace success

Why interpersonal skills are important in the workplace

A successful organization often involves people with a range of different communication styles and motivational traits collaborating together. For this kind of collaboration to work, interpersonal communication skills are vital.

Here are some ways that interpersonal skills make a difference:

Resolving conflict

Strong interpersonal communicators are masters at conflict management. When conflict arises at work (as it inevitably does), strong conflict resolution skills make all the difference. When conflict arises, adept communicators are able to nip it in the bud, or stop it from happening in the first place.

Stronger leadership

To be a successful leader in the modern workplace, being an effective communicator is vital. Teams led by strong communicators consistently outperform those that aren't, on a range of metrics, including⁷:

• Employee retention
• Productivity
• Financial performance

This is achieved by building relationships with their team and galvanizing them around common goals. Gone are the days when effective leadership is about presenting as 'strong' or authoritarian. Instead, effective leaders see themselves as servants.

In his book 'Leaders Eat Last', Simon Sinek argues that successful leaders prioritize the well-being of their team members first⁸. All of this is made possible by having well-developed communication skills.

Crisis management

While the ability to communicate can often steer organizations away from crisis, when crisis is unavoidable, some organizations are better equipped to bounce back. Leaders who know how to communicate with their team in times of crisis are better at delegating, keeping morale high and maintaining employee productivity.

Contrasting this with a leader with poor communication, you'll often see the opposite effect.

How to improve interpersonal communication skills at work

You might think of interpersonal skills as being a 'you have it or you don't' type of trait. Just like some people are tall and others are short. However, research paints a different picture. Interpersonal communication is a skill that can be developed. Studies have shown that people are able to become better communicators and develop their emotional intelligence⁹. What's more, organizations can leverage these developments to achieve their goals.

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Here are some practices that individuals and organizations can adopt to improve communication:

Meditation

The connection between interpersonal communication and meditation may not be immediately clear. How could sitting alone in silence improve your social skills? Contradictory as it might seem, research¹⁰ has shown that people with a regular meditation practice are:

• More emotionally intelligent
• Calmer and clearer communicators
• Easier to get along with
• Better at handling stress

They're also more flexible and adaptable to situations, needs and differences in the workplace. It's no wonder that meditation is practiced by elite athletes, CEOs and other top performers.

Sounds like a no-brainer, right? If you've tried to get into meditation, you'll realize why sticking to it can be so difficult.

It's important to understand the science of habit formation so you can make your meditation practice stick.

Journaling

In many ways, journaling is like building a healthy dialogue with yourself. You can explore everything that's on your mind in a safe and judgment-free space. Your worries, concerns, goals and ambitions – anything that you need to get off your mind and onto paper. Journaling has been shown to improve emotional intelligence, empathy and ultimately, develop a person's communication skills¹¹.

Consider how journaling can improve communication at work with the following scenario:

You've been feeling frustrated with a co-worker. You have a meeting with them tomorrow to discuss a project and you’re worried that frustrations will boil over.

What do you do?

If you have a journaling habit, you can effectively practice what you're going to say and form a plan of action. In a way, it's as though you can test-run the meeting in advance and steer the meeting towards a more positive outcome. It's far easier to do this on the page of your journal than by simply thinking about the meeting. You're less likely to ruminate or catastrophize¹², which might improve your chances of a favorable outcome.

Practice active listening

We all know the feeling when we're speaking to someone who isn't listening to us or who we feel is simply waiting for their turn to speak. Sadly, research¹³ has shown that this is far too common a problem. This style of listening makes people feel not seen, as though their ideas aren't valued or that they're unappreciated.

While in a normal social setting this may be a mere annoyance, in a workplace, it can cause major problems. This is why practising active listening is so important.

Active listening involves being fully present, asking questions and showing an authentic interest in the speaker. Instead of interjecting with your opinions or ideas, show respect to the speaker by giving them your undivided attention.

Developing your active listening skills at work has been shown to enhance a culture of collaboration, creativity and employee engagement. This is because workers who feel listened to feel valued and empowered to give their best ideas and efforts.

Build a culture where constructive criticism is valued

If you've ever been in a workplace where your team avoids giving and receiving constructive criticism, you know the problems it can cause.

While many people avoid constructive criticism for fear of judgment, it's often the case that this can cause more problems in the long term. What could be as simple as pointing out how work could be improved can turn into gossip or bullying. Resentments can begin to rise and communication can break down.

To avoid this, it's important to normalize constructive criticism in your company culture.

When giving constructive feedback, be sure that you:

• Are specific
• Balance the positive with the negative
• Make it about the work, never make it personal
• Practice what you preach – demonstrate that you’re willing to receive feedback

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Frequently asked questions

How do interpersonal skills help me build better client relationships?

Navigating the complexities of client interactions can be tough. But with strong interpersonal skills, you can communicate your goals and ideas more effectively, build strong rapport, and earn your client's trust.

How can interpersonal skills help me achieve my business goals?

The modern-day workplace often involves working with a wide range of people, often under tight deadlines on important projects. To ensure complex objectives are understood, and a spirit of collaboration is fostered while trust is earned, you’ll need strong interpersonal skills. It can also strengthen your negotiation skills, and other key business skills.

Why do interpersonal skills matter at work?

Strong interpersonal skills allow individuals to express their ideas clearly, actively listen to others, and work together without fear of judgment or failure. It creates a positive environment that enhances productivity, efficiency, and teamwork.