Interpersonal Skills For Successful Relationship
Interpersonal Skills are skills that enable one to interact well with others. They are behaviors and tactics a person uses to interact effectively with others.
Interpersonal skills are a prerequisite for effective human relations generally.
Interpersonal skills will help us build effective, solid and lasting relationships not only in our professional lives but in our personal lives as well.
Interpersonal Skills are skills that enable one to interact well with others. They are behaviors and tactics a person uses to interact effectively with others.
Interpersonal skills are a prerequisite for effective human relations generally.
Interpersonal skills will help us build effective, solid and lasting relationships not only in our professional lives but in our personal lives as well.
Below are Interpersonal Skills one ought to possess for successful relationships
- SELF-AWARENESS
Being aware of oneself entails several things such as being emotionally intelligent and showing empathy.
Emotional Intelligence is the capacity to be aware of, to control and express one's emotions and to handle interpersonal relations with others.
READ MORESelf-awareness is similar to knowing oneself. For instance, knowing you become irritable when you are overworked or sleep-deprived and recognizing that you will not be at your best under such conditions should help one realize that it could lead to serious issues.
So, if I know that when I am sleep deprived, I snap at people, I should know enough to prevent it and not let it affect my relationship.
Be aware of yourself, know your limits, know what causes you irritation, anger, etc and ensure to COMMUNICATE it to your partner.
- COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY
This seems simple, yet, communication is a big deal in relationships especially romantic ones. Many relationships crumble when partners quit talking.
It is not enough to assume your partner is a mind reader and should just figure you out. It is important to state what we are comfortable with and otherwise.
It is important to learn to hold difficult conversations and not run away from them. Discuss lovingly with a view to correcting lovingly rather than mere criticism.
An example of a difficult conversation is sex for some partners where one person pushes for it. The other should not shy away but should take the time to educate the loved ones on why it is off the table.
- IDENTIFY NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Identifying non-verbal communication such as eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, body language as well as making physical contact when needed can help intensify bonding.
There are times your significant other is so overwhelmed and bereft of expression, being able to recognize that they are distressed without asking goes a long way.
Sometimes, not asking but allowing them time and space to let things out (offering a shoulder to cry one) until they are ready to share is an important skill set.
Understanding one's partner's body language is of paramount importance
- SHOW EMPATHY & BE UNDERSTANDING
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It is important to always take cognizance of the thoughts, feelings, and needs of our partners.
It is always important to put ourselves in their shoes, see things from their perspective and understand why and how they are affected.
Being dismissive of issues affecting our partners for instance because are of different gender and we cannot relate is a major problem.
Many relationships have ended on the altar of he/she doesn't understand me.
He /she doesn't care about how I feel.
He/she doesn't care about how his/her actions affect me.
So many young people live by the ‘This is how I so take it or leave it’ mantra forgetting that in love there is always a ‘We’.
- ACTIVE LISTENING
The ability to listen actively is a priceless skill set. It is necessary.
Active listening as against passive hearing is of paramount importance.
It is important to listen when our partners speak for several reasons.
- It enables us to approach each conversation by learning something new.
- It allows us to know how they truly feel about what they speak about
- It helps build trust.
- It helps us postpone our own judgment until we hear them out.
When we offer a listening ear, we are able to convince our owners we are truly in tune with them and open them to considering the counsel we give.
- BE RESPECTFUL
Express your views respectfully even when they are contrary to his or hers.
Listen to contrary opinions and consider them. Do not attack your partner's views simply because you do not share them.
Be appreciative of your partner's efforts, achievements and do not look down on them.
Be courteous. Treat your partner with respect so others can see and do the same.
- RECEPTIVENESS TO FEEDBACK
It is important to know how to dish and how to receive feedback/ constructive criticism.
Your partner should be able to see your flaws and talk to you about them with a view to helping them improve.
This must be distinguished from being judgmental. The goal is to attain personal effectiveness.
If we are able to equip ourselves with these skills, our relationships would receive a boost.
Thank You very much, Ladies and Gentlemen.
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