Interpersonal Communication Chapter Six

After completing these chapters, you will be able to: define interpersonal communication, functional messages, and nurturing messages describe the stages of relationship development demonstrate interpersonal skills of recognition, sharing personal information, active listening, and constructive criticism describe message directions and their role in the workplace describe the role of humor, rumor, and gossip in the workplace

Interpersonal Communication When two or more people engage in ongoing interactions, exchanging nurturing as well as functional messages.

Types of Messages Functional Messages Deal with managing day-to-day necessities and sharing information such as travel plans, work schedules, and questions about policies. Nurturing Messages Indicate supportiveness and that the relationship is valued.

Stages of a Relationship 1. First Meeting 2. Friendly 3. Involved 4. Stable

First Meetings Try to find some common ground for a conversation. Ask questions about the other person. Don’t ask or answer questions about very personal topics. Try to present a good image. Don’t tell the other person that you don’t like him or her. Talk about general things.

Important Relational Skills Recognition Sharing Personal Information Active Listening Constructive Criticism

Guidelines for Sharing Personal Information Don’t talk too much. Don’t talk too little. Wisely choose information to share. Indicate a preferred privacy level.

Constructive Criticism Talk to others in terms of “I.” Describe the behavior, don’t label the person. Stick to the present.

Message Direction 1. Downward Communication (from supervisor to subordinate) 2. Upward Communication (from subordinate to supervisor) 3. Horizontal Communication (between peers)

Managing Humor Appropriate humor plays an important role in the workplace, creating a sense of ease and belonging; but the key issue with humor is, “Is it appropriate?”

Rumors Current stories that have not been verified as true.

Gossip Rumors of a very personal nature.

Summary Interpersonal communication occurs when two or more people engage in ongoing interactions, exchanging nurturing as well as functional messages. Functional messages deal with managing day-to-day necessities and sharing information. Relationships develop in four stages: first meetings, friendly relations, involved relationships, and finally stable relationships. Four important relational skills are recognition, sharing personal information, active listening, and constructive criticism. Recognizing message direction and managing humor, rumor, and gossip are important interpersonal issues in the workplace.