Interpersonal Communication - Discovering the power of Communication and harnessing it for our personal and professional growth.

The Ins and Outs of Interpersonal Communication (or I.C.) - Defining It -Giving It Context -Importance for Acquiring Skilled I.C. -Application to Our Relationships -Application to Business - Bi-Product: Leadership Development

Defining It: Nuts and Bolts Defined by communication scholars in numerous ways Usually describing participants who are dependent upon one another and have a shared history. Communication channels, the conceptualization of mediums that carry messages from sender to receiver, take two distinct forms: direct and indirect.

Defining It: Nuts and Bolts Sender: the person speaking, writing, attempting to communicate a piece of information through direct or indirect means. Receiver: the person receiving the sender’s information, either in the manner it was intended, or otherwise.

Defining It: Nuts and Bolts Direct Channels - Obvious and easily recognized by the receiver - Verbal and Non-Verbal information is completely controlled by the sender. - Verbal: words in spoken or written form - Non-Verbal: facial expressions, controlled body movements (police gestures), colors (stop sign), sounds (fire truck siren)

Defining It: Nuts and Bolts Indirect Channels - recognized subconsciously by the receiver, and are not always under direct control of the sender. - accidental body language, inadvertently revealing emotions “Subconscious reception and interpretation of these signals is often described with arbitrary terms like gut-feeling, hunch, or premonition.”

Context of I.C. Context: refers to the conditions that precede or surround the communication and include present or past events and immediate surroundings. Extraneous nuances subtly change the message's effective meaning. (talking in a public bathroom, cemetary, etc.) Ultimately, context includes the entire world, but usually refers to salient factors such as…

Context of I.C. 5 Categories of Context -Physical: season or weather, location or environment -Situational: classroom, airplane, military conflict -Cultural or Linguistic Background -Developmental Progress / Maturity Stage -Complimentary / Contrasting Roles: teacher / student, etc

Context of.I.C. Dyadic Communication: the part of a relationship that calls for "something to happen". Partners will either talk or argue with one another during this point of a relationship to bring about change. (signifies a deeper level knowledge and understanding about the other person.)

Importance of I.C. John Maxwell says, “Communication increases connection.” Connecting is essential in our personal and business relationships. It helps us create a sense of team which enables ultimate productivity and growth.

Importance of I.C. John Gardner said, “If I had to name a single all-purpose instrument of leadership, it would be communication.” Plato said, “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.”

Importance of I.C. Let’s discuss a few ways that interpersonal communication is vitally important in our personal and professional lives. Let’s share ways that our communication is misinterpreted; things that keep us from effectively getting our message across - either our direct or indirect communication. How can we avoid these things?

Application to our Relationships Accompanying Guide: The Ten Critical Laws of Relationships by Robb Thompson Effectively Communicating (via direct and indirect means) some essential components, give your relationships solid ground in which to grow.

Application to our Relationships Accompanying Guide: The Five Love Languages and The Five Languages of Apology in the Workplace Communication Languages - Words of Affirmation -Quality Time -Acts of Service -Giving Gifts -Physical Touch To effectively communicate interpersonally, we need to learn how people best respond. Learning these things will make relationships of all sorts richer and easier to navigate.

Application to our Relationships Personalities also dictate how we can interpersonally communicate more effectively with individuals. - Sanguines - Phlegmatics - Melancholics - Cholerics

Application to Relationships Maintaining Eye Contact Give affirming and encouraging non- verbal gestures (nodding, smiling) Shake hands firmly / Show proper form of respectful greetings and goodbyes. Listen Empathetically (don’t plan what you’re going to say while the other person is speakin!)

Application to Business Accompanying Guide: The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork Using Communication to become a better TEAM MEMBER -Are you supportive of everyone even if they’re not your friend? -Are you open and vulnerable even when it’s not pleasant? -Are you holding a grudge? Clear the air to remove all communication barriers.

Application to Business Using Communication to become a better TEAM LEADER : -Consistant, Clear, Courteous -LISTEN! When leaders don’t listen they stop gaining wisdom, team members stop communicating and indifference spreads to other areas of business.

Application to Business How committed are you to the open and good communication on the current teams you are on? Or what kind of communication tone are you setting if you are the leader of a team?

Application to Business “Ultimately, poor listening [in business] leads to hostility, miscommunication and a breakdown of team cohesion.” - John Maxwell (Is listening in the direct or indirect channel of communication?)

Application to Business A great accompanying Guide suggestion that covers elements of Communication, Leadership, Goals, Checking your Attitude and Confronting Fear: The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz