Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills are the attitudes and habits that make

workers at any seniority level valuable employees and
contributing members of the work environment.

Interpersonal skills comes from

the root word Interaction &
Person. In other words it is the
communication among two or
more persons.

They include communication and social skills, teamwork,

problem solving and critical thinking, and professionalism
(time management and appearance).
 Course Objective
To set clear guidelines for effective communication and to
consider the role of good interpersonal skills in the
multicultural workplace by understanding:
 different behavioral styles  how to give and receive
and learn to modify your constructive feedback as a way to
behavior to achieve best build better relationships
results to demonstrate assertive behavior

 how to stay present 'in the  how to communicate effectively

moment', 'listen for intent', and when the stakes are high and you
influence your listener need to neutralize arguments
positively effectively

To create individual action plans for ongoing personal
development by making use of all of the above skills to
ensure effective teamwork
 Course Content
 Interpersonal Skills

 Introduction (Interaction & Person)

 Importance of Interpersonal Skills
Communication in Interpersonal Skills
Tools in Interpersonal Skills
 Verbal communication Problem-solving
 Non-verbal communication  Decision-making
 Listening skills  Assertiveness
 Negotiation

 Emotional Quotient (EQ) with Interpersonal Skills

 Integrating EQ to Interpersonal Skills to perform better at your workplace.
 How can you develop your EQ skills to perform better at your workplace
position?
 Strategic Leadership
 Applying EQ to Address Your Workplace Challenges
Importance of Interpersonal Skills
Employers will notice the presence or absence of these skills
immediately during an interview, and they can impact long-
term advancement opportunities.
These skills are also important
outside of the work
environment: life skills training
can be “critical in enhancing the
self-esteem of participants,
providing them the tools
necessary to overcome their
fear of independence and
allowing them to experience
their own definition of success”
(Tucker, 2005).
Communication in Interpersonal Skills
Words are powerful tools of communication. Indeed, word
choice can easily influence the thoughts, attitudes, and
behavior of the people listening to us.

Similarly, proper attention

to the language of others
can give us insight to what
it is that they are really
saying, helping us to
respond appropriately and
effectively.
Tools in Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are the tools people use to interact
and communicate with individuals in an organizational
environment. There are seven main areas of interpersonal
communication.

The seven areas are:

•Verbal communication
•Non-verbal communication
•Listening skills
•Negotiation
•Problem-solving
•Decision-making
•Assertiveness
Tools in Interpersonal Skills
1.Verbal Communication
Verbal communication is how and what words are used to
communicate with individuals. It is the ability to communicate
through words with the correct tone and manner.

Fred's initial week with Intestinal

Distress Taco revealed that he
was not capable of good verbal
communication. He mumbled
orders and then screamed when
employees did anything wrong.

Most employees grew to dread working with Fred because

they could not understand his directions. He also was not a
good non-verbal communicator as well.
1.Verbal Communication
Asking questions
If communication is the exchange of information between
two or more people, then questions are a way to elicit the
specific information that you are looking for.
But more so, well‐crafted
questions make for an engaging
conversation. It can establish
rapport, spark interest and
curiosity others, break new
grounds, and communicate your
own sincerity in learning what
people around you has to say.

Here are some tips in asking questions effectively:

1.Verbal Communication
Ask!
First of all, don’t be afraid to ask questions! Sometimes
shyness, concern over making a faux pas, or fear of being
perceived as a busybody, can keep us from asking questions.

While some subject matters are not

appropriate conversation pieces in
the early stages of a conversation,
there’s nothing wrong in asking
questions.

Start with your inherent curiosity about people, if you’re

genuinely interested in a person, you won’t run out of things
to ask.
1.Verbal Communication
Asking questions
The two kind of questions.
There are two kinds of questions based on the scope of
the answers they elicit: Closed & Open questions

o Closed questions are questions

answerable by yes or no.
Example: “Are you happy with
today’s presentation?”

o Open questions, on the other

hand, are questions that require
a qualified response.
1.Verbal Communication
Open questions – the 5W & 1H
Open questions are usually preceded by who, when,
where, what, why, and how.

Example:
“What is it about today’s
presentation that you find most
engaging?”
o Open questions are more
effective than closed questions
because they evoke thoughtful
consideration of the subject and
creative thinking.
Tools in Interpersonal Skills
2.Non-Verbal Communication (NVC)
Another type of interpersonal skill is non-verbal
communication, which consists of facial expressions,
body language and hand gestures.

Non Verbal Communication

can be Positive as well as
Negative.
Negative Non Verbal
Communication consisted
of frowns and angry stares.
2.Non-Verbal Communication (NVC)
Positive Non Verbal Communication always has a smile on
the face and uses hands to further explain complicated
directions.

Speak clearly and animate

with positive non-verbal
communication.
Two way communication is
essential when developing
a set of excellent
interpersonal skills.
Tools in Interpersonal Skills
3.Listening skills
The ability to hear attentively and process information
correctly.

A very ineffective listener

do not pay attention
when they are told.
They have the tendency
to ignore important
pieces of other’s
communication.
3.Listening skills
Listening and Hearing: They are not the Same
Most people can hear, but few can really listen.
Hearing is simply the process of perceiving sounds within
our environment.

The best way to illustrate

hearing is through the
biological processes
involved in sensory
perception.

Specifically: Our ears pick up sound waves around us,

sends signals to our brain, and our brain in turn tells us
what the sound is and where it is coming from.
3.Listening skills
Listening and Hearing: They are not the Same

Listening, on the other hand, goes beyond simply picking

up stimuli around us, and identifying what these stimuli are.

Listening involves the extra

steps of really
understanding what we
heard, and giving it
deliberate attention and
thoughtful consideration.

It may be said that listening involves a more active

participation from a person than simply hearing
 3.Listening skills
Listening and Hearing: They are not the Same
An example to illustrate the difference between hearing and
listening:
A secretary presented her boss the
schedule for the next day. She told the
boss that she has a packed day for
tomorrow, and that she only has an hour
of break time for the whole afternoon.
The boss, busy studying a report, merely
nodded to the secretary, and motioned for
her to place the schedule on her desk.
The boss continued to study the report as
if there were no interruption.

In this case, the boss simply heard what the secretary said; paid
just enough attention to make an appropriate but non‐committal
reaction. If the boss had been listening, his reaction would have
been different.
3.Listening skills
Listening and Hearing: They are not the Same
Taking the extra step to move from hearing to listening
can enhance a person’s interpersonal relationships in
many ways.
Listening promotes a more
accurate and deeper
understanding of a person’s
communication, helping a
responder to provide the most
appropriate response.

But more so, when you’re listening to a person, you

communicate to them that you value not just what they
are saying, but their presence as well.
Tools in Interpersonal Skills
4.Negotiation
Negotiation is the next type of interpersonal skill that is
important to effective business communication. This term
means having the ability to discuss and reach an agreement
in a professional manner.
Example
Violet excels in negotiation as the
employees and customers are
always complaining or asking for
favors. She is good at listening and
discussing situations and then
coming up with a fair solution.
On the other hand, Fred ignores any request for discussions and
rules with an iron fist. This has caused his employees to view him
as unfair and undiplomatic, especially when it comes to solving
problems.
Tools in Interpersonal Skills
5.Problem-Solving
The fifth type of interpersonal skill is problem-solving.
This is a very important skill and the most complex part of
the process is to look at each potential solution and carefully
analyze it.

The ability to find a

solution to a problem
after considerable
thought to solved
numerous issues
without creating a new
problem
Tools in Interpersonal Skills
6.Decision Making
This is the most complex part of the problem solving that
requires careful analysis of the outcome of actions and then
selecting the best solution for implementation. It requires
simulating each potential solution carefully.
We all have to make decisions all
the time, from issues like what to
have for lunch, right up to life-
changing decisions like where and
what to study, and who to marry.

Some people put off making decisions by endlessly searching

for more information or getting other people to offer their
recommendations. Others resort to decision-making by taking
a vote, sticking a pin in a list or tossing a coin.
Tools in Interpersonal Skills
7. Assertiveness
is about being able to express yourself with confidence,
without having to resort to passive, aggressive or
manipulative behavior

It involves greater
self-awareness;
getting to know,
like, and be in
charge of the real
‘you’.
 7. Assertiveness
Communicating with Power

Power in communication refers to the ability to influence,

persuade, or make an impact. A powerful communication
is associated with self‐confidence, credibility, and
effectiveness.
The following are some ways
you can communicate with
power verbally:
•Stick to the point
•Don’t be too casual
•Emphasize key ideas
•Tailor‐fit your communication
to your audience
•Connect
Communicating with Power
Stick to the point
Powerful communication is all about sticking to what is
relevant to the discussion, and getting your message across
in the shortest ‐‐‐ but most impact‐laden ‐‐‐ way possible.

Get rid of fillers like

“uhm…”, “you know”, or
“actually” in your delivery,
and avoid off‐topic
statements.

Just provide the bare bones ‐‐‐ the ideas your audience
would be most interested in knowing, or the ones that
promote your intentions best
Communicating with Power
Tailor‐ fit your communication to your audience.
A powerful communication is one that connects with one’s
audience.
In this case, minding the
readiness, attention, age,
and educational level of
your audience is very
important, so that you don’t
overwhelm or underwhelm
them.

Social skills are primarily about flexibility; the better you

can adjust to changes in your audience profile, the better
off you’ll be.
Communicating with Power
Connect.
Power in communication is sometimes determined by
the quality of your rapport with others.
You may need to “warm up” your
audience, make them
comfortable, and show them that
you sincerely want to talk with
them. The more others see you
as “one of them”, the better their
reception of anything that you
have to say will be.

Your non‐verbal communication can be a big help in

connecting with others.
 Communicating with Power
Don’t be too casual.
Note that phrasing appropriate when talking with friends is
not necessarily appropriate for business‐related meets.

The use of slang, street talk,

and poor grammar can detract
from your credibility, especially
if you’re mingling with potential
clients, employers, and Page
10 business partners.

Events that require you to come across as impressive

may require the use of industry‐specific jargon and a
formal tone ‐‐‐ so adjust accordingly.
Emotional Quotient (EQ) with Interpersonal Skills
Decades of leadership research suggest that “people skills”
are crucial for leader effectiveness.

Integrating EQ Skills in
Interpersonal Skills allows
you to leverage EQ
competencies to enhance
performance and
productivity in your
organization.

The focus is on improving leaders Social Skills by

integrating EQ skills with Interpersonal Skills
Emotional Quotient (EQ)
Emotional Quotient / Intelligence refers to a set of emotional
and social skills and competencies that influence the way
we perceive and express ourselves;

develop and maintain

social relationships; cope
with challenges; and use
the information in
emotions in effective and
meaningful ways.
How can you develop your EQ skills to
perform better at your workplace position?
1. Take Initiative: Demonstrate responsibility and
enthusiasm for your job by striving to go the extra mile.
Do tasks without being
asked by someone else.
Look around, This starts
by finishing work without
constant reminders from
your supervisor.

And if you are already in a leadership role, this means setting

the example what needs to be done, and do it. Be the owner
How can you develop your EQ skills to
perform better at your workplace position?
If a co-worker has a large project and you have
some time on your hands, volunteer to help.

Further, you could seek

more challenging work
and strive to develop
your technical skills and
do it.

Be the Owner. This rarely goes unnoticed.

How can you develop your EQ skills to
perform better at your workplace position?
2. Act as a team player: This means not only
being cooperative, but also displaying strong
leadership skills when necessary.

Practice leading in small

group discussions by
asking your teammates
questions and bringing
quieter members into the
conversation.
 How can you develop your EQ skills to
perform better at your workplace position?
3. Be flexible: Employees who can adapt to any situation
are dependable no matter what is thrown at them.

Be open and agreeable to

other people’s suggestions,
respect difference of opinions,
accept your mistakes, and
show empathy to others.

Understand constraints and reasons why someone is unable to

stick to a plan and then work to create a new plan if necessary.
You do not want to be called a “stuck up” as a manager. Adopt
agile methods. Be prepared for any breakdowns.
 How can you develop your EQ skills to
perform better at your workplace position?
4. Communicate effectively: Communicate clearly through

written, oral, and nonverbal communication. Be concise

(straight to
Articulate thebe
well, point) instead of going in loops.
a good
listener, and use
appropriate body
language at all times.

Get to a discussion, write down the key points and send

them all over Email, so that people can sign off to what
was being said, and everyone is on the same page.
Strategic Leadership – Applying EQ to Address
Your Workplace Challenges
An organization that collectively exhibits effective EQ
builds capacity for sustainable organizational change
and performance.
•Critical thinking skills
•Influencing even when you do
not have authority
•Supporting the effectiveness
and success of your change
initiatives
•Responding to the intense
emotions that accompany
transition and change
Applying EQ to Address Your Workplace Challenges
Critical thinking skills
The word“critical”often misleads us to think that critical
thinking is only based on soul-less data, information and
evidences.
According to Rudd, Baker and
Hoover (2000), critical thinking
is a “reasoned, purposive and
introspective approach to
solving problems or addressing
questions”.

Introspection when solving problems as a team includes

acknowledging the thoughts of others, one of the key
elements of emotional intelligence.
Applying EQ to Address Your Workplace Challenges
Influencing even when you do not have authority
With authority, you can simply “order” to do what you want. That may
not be the most effective leadership strategy; you’ll get what you ask for.

But, how to influence someone over

whom we have no control, power or
authority?.
First, respect other people’s opinions
or thoughts.
Don't tell people they are wrong.
Be more inclusive, less divisive.
Be conversational, not argumentative.
 Listen more, talk less.
Applying EQ to Address Your Workplace Challenges
Influencing even when you do not have authority
True influence can be seen in great leaders.
They represent a segment of the population who depends
that he or she will stand up for their rights, their beliefs and
their needs.

I like how Rick Warren use a

biblical example to explain
influence:
"The purpose of influence
is to 'speak up for those
who have no influence.' It's
not about you." (proverbs
31:18)
Applying EQ to Address Your Workplace Challenges
Supporting the effectiveness and success of your
change initiatives

Change management
focuses on people, and is
about ensuring change is
thoroughly, smoothly and
lastingly implemented

When initiating a change, the first step is to dig down further

to define your specific objectives.
Applying EQ to Address Your Workplace Challenges
Typically, these will cover :

Sponsorship, - senior level

directly or indirectly
Buy-in, -from those involved
and affected
Involvement, -people from
design and implementation
Impact, how the changes will
affect people.
Communication, -Telling everyone who's affected about the
changes
Readiness, - to adapt, ensuring they have the right
information, training and help
Applying EQ to Address Your Workplace Challenges
Responding to the intense emotions that accompany
transition and change.
Keep things in perspective and practice the 5 P‘s
-Patience,
-Persistence,
-Practical,
-Positive , and have a
-Purpose.
In addition, keeping an open mind and being curious about the
possibilities that change promises, being flexible, staying motivated,
and having a sense of humor will buoy your resiliency and help you
persevere.
Applying EQ to Address Your Workplace Challenges
Responding to the intense emotions that accompany
transition and change.
Going through transitions that
accompany change can be thriving
and also difficult.
Mastering the art of change over
the course of a lifetime provides a
great advantage to alter your
responses to change in order to
create a more satisfying
experience.
These are basic 5P’s of things to consider that can help you
negotiate and navigate your course to the intense emotion
that accompany transition & change.
Be Blessed!
 Timothy Wooi
Principal Consultant for Lean Management.
Certified Kaizen & TPM Specialist with 30 over
years working experience.
Provides Technical Consulting Services on Lean
Cellular system & Moonshine set up.
An Innovator with Mechanical background that
adopts Green Living by Recycling and Reusing
Idle resources to add Value, eliminating waste
to promote Green.
Founder of Tim’s Waterfuel, an alternative
HHO Fuel supplement using Water that adds
power ,saves fuel and reduce Co2 emission on
automobiles.
Add: 20C, Taman Bahagia, 06000,
An NGO Community worker for Prison, Drug
Jitra, Kedah Rehabilitation and CREST North (Crisis Relieve
Email: timothywooi2@gmail.com & Training) Malaysia, an organization that
H/p: 019 4514007 (Malaysia) respond to Crisis & Flood.