Principles that Govern Interpersonal Communications

Interpersonal Communication is the communication between two or more person, through verbal or non- verbal messages. It is rightly said that a single brain alone can’t take all decisions alone. We need people to discuss various issues, evaluate pros and cons and reach to solutions benefiting not only the employees but also the organization on the whole. At my workplace I conduct weekly meeting with my team in order to promote open communication, in the meeting we discuss strategies where every individual has the liberty to express his/her views. I believe interaction on a regular basis is important for healthy relationship.

Intrapersonal communication is one that we have with ourselves i.e. the

communication that occurs in our mind. Whenever I’m confronted with any

challenge or responsibility at my workplace, I instead of telling myself how

good I’m, I always ask myself “Do I have what it takes?”

Principles that govern interpersonal communications are:

Interpersonal communication is inescapable- We can’t not communicate. The very attempt not to communicate communicates something. Through not only words but through tone of voice and through gesture, posture, facial expression, we constantly communicate to those around us.

Interpersonal communication is irreversible- You can’t really take back something once it has been said. The effect must inevitably remain. A Russian proverb says, ”Once a word goes out of your mouth; you can never swallow it again.”

Interpersonal communication is complicated- No form of communication is simple. Because of the number of variables involved, even simple requests are extremely complex. Theorists note that whenever we communicate there are really at least six people involved:

1. Who you think you are
2. Who you think the other person is
3. Who you think the other person thinks you are
4. Who the other person thinks he/she is
5. Who the other person thinks you are
6. Who the other person thinks you think she/he is

We don’t actually swap ideas; we swap symbols that stand for ideas. This also complicates communication.

Interpersonal communication is Contextual- Communication does not happen in isolation.

There are:

1. Psychological context- Which is who you are and what you bring to the interaction
2. Relational context- Which concerns your reactions to the other person
3. Situational context- It deals with psycho-social, where you are communicating
4. Environmental context- It deals with the physical “where” you are communicating
5. Cultural context- It includes all the learned behaviors and rules that affect the interaction. If you come from a culture where it is considered rude to make long, direct eye contact, you will out of politeness avoid eye contact