Interpersonal Communications - Essay Example

Communications Studies Interpersonal Communications Prior to studying this matter, my knowledge regarding interpersonal communications was fair, but lacking sufficient depth. As I underwent further study of this course, my breadth of understanding and skills in the area of interpersonal communications developed. The initial assignments of this subject touched on various aspects of communication. The basic concepts of communication were dealt with first, specifically around the view of interpersonal communications.

Proper communication involves the effective and appropriate use of speaking, listening, and interpersonal skills. Another point of view in communication is the personal constructs that we create for ourselves and others in order to feel at ease, or to find a degree of understanding when participating in a communicative activity with others. Lastly, knowledge regarding the dynamic in relationships works before and during interpersonal communications. The dynamics of interpersonal relationships vary at times when dealing with different kinds of individuals in life.

For example, the treatment between friends is different from any other category. The thought of friendship is an ideal that has been contemplated since humanity started to form a more social environment. Friendship has various dimensions and levels as one individual forms that apparent relationship with another human being. To be in a bond of friendship is considered one of the most wonderful experiences in any lifetime. It is said that true and authentic friendship is more precious and rarer than the finest gold in this world.

What makes friendship increase in value is the amount of standards that are placed upon it. A mark of sentimentality strongly exists in this type of interpersonal relationship. This dynamic differs from the environment found in the workplace, which maintains formality for professional reasons. In a working environment, having a professional attitude and approach is paramount in maintaining a good position and standing. Performing a task with proper work conduct and ethics are important factors for a good working environment.

A professional work environment encourages efficiency and effectiveness among workers. There are times, however, when some individuals do not conduct themselves in such a manner. Some individuals, whether a fellow employee or even a manager, go about their day performing their tasks in a very unbecoming manner. Their presence brings stress and frustration, and dealing with them is very testy. This goes to show that for every type and level of interpersonal relationship, there are differences of treatment and approach toward those various forms.

An interpersonal relationship that is extremely personal does not have to follow a professional approach in communicating, and personal space may be lessened since personal trust is built. In the matter of professional setting, the communication approach is more formal and distant. After undergoing this course, I realized that my skills in speaking and listening improved. I learned to say things that are needed, and to be more mindful with regard to the feelings of others. My listening skills also developed.

I became more observant to the tone of voice when others speak. My interpersonal skills also improved in a way that I now pay attention to the non-verbal and emotive communication, besides taking into account the verbal forms of communication. Group Communications In the area of group communications, my skills and understanding of group interaction and dynamics improved as well. By studying basic fundamental concepts of interpersonal communications and the activity on personal constructs, I was able to understand myself more.

In addition, I was able to identify my distinct traits while being part of a group setting. I realized that I am an individual with an introverted personality. In a group, people notice that I am calm, reserved, rational, emotionally distant, yet polite with others. I usually stay on the sidelines in a group conversation while listening quietly to what is being discussed. I would rather not initiate a conversation in a group. I will only start speaking if necessary. In a group, I always play the part of the observant voice of reason.

I constantly encourage sensibility to exist in every group interaction. I am somewhat territorial when it comes to my personal space and thoughts. I also feel bothered when people try to intrude my privacy. This personal bubble space is small, but I secure it firmly from the outside world. This tends to make me avoid conversations about my personal life. I would rather talk about other things that do not concern personal matters about me. Even in my family, I have the same role. I try to maintain a balance of opinions between my mother and father.

As a result, I became skilled in being more tactful and diplomatic in tense situations within family arguments. At the same time, I get to see the perspective of both sides. The rationale behind this is prudence and balance. My personality is somewhat introverted and would like to maintain as much privacy as possible. The more insistent another individual is to get inside my personal space, the more defensive and emotionally withdrawn I become. That is the sense of closed territoriality I developed in life.

I prefer to watch and observe things within the space of my privacy while keeping my thoughts and intentions to myself. I only open up in a group if I feel a minimal level of trust developing, or if it is deemed a necessity due to circumstances. That does not mean that I typically refuse to communicate with other people. I just normally would not initiate a conversation in a group. It is personally more preferred to listen or contribute to a conversation than starting one. I see the value of introspection in group dynamics that people usually overlook.

Introspection does not look at group dynamics from external factors, but through insights that relate the self to the outside world. More often than not, it is easy to point fingers at the mistakes of others while forgetting that you have your own shortcomings as well. To be more conscious of your own mistakes is a matter of mindfulness. An individual should take into consideration caution and prudence in communicating with a group, and should be mindful of personal weaknesses and shortcomings.

Of course, this gives the impression that I am emotionally detached, rationally cold, or condescending. People would also have the impression that I lack initiative in starting a conversation, or that I am too timid to the point of awkward shyness. Being aware of these opinions, they have yet to realize that I do what I can to maintain tact and prudence in dealing with the group. I do not allow my emotions to get the better of me when dealing with various group situations. Caution and deliberation in communicating with others is important to avoid making prejudicial statements or conclusions.

I specially practice this way of communication in all the groups that I’ve been on, whether it is professional or personal. Organizational Communications Richmond & McCroskey (2004) stated that “there are three major goals of communication in the organizational environment: developing interpersonal relationships, gaining compliance, and gaining understanding” (p.24). I learned that having effective communication skills helps in dealing with the professional organizational setting. In a working environment, having a professional attitude and approach is paramount in maintaining a good position and standing.

Performing a task with proper work conduct and ethics are important factors for a good working environment. A professional work environment encourages efficiency and effectiveness among workers. A good example would be in an organizational setting wherein there are always gossip-spewing individuals who would slyly let others know what he or she thinks of other workmates. The result of this type of communication would make it difficult for other co-workers to work with this kind of person. If an employee is requested to join the team of a gossiping co-worker, there is a likely chance that the former will try as much to veer away from the latter as professionally as possible.

Other employees who are aware of the gossiping co-worker will also be reluctant to work with such an individual. A negative effect on the operation of the whole working unit would be the result. The communication behavior of individuals within a corporate or working organization has a more important part in the professional life and setting. Proper organizational communication is essential for an organization to be successful in its endeavors. Burgoon, Berger, and Waldron (2000) pointed that, “the content, structure, and sequencing of verbal messages, as well, as paralinquistic cues, gestures, facial expressions and body movements provided by the physical environment that accompany verbal messages, all afford considerable grist for social actors’ comprehension and interpretative mills” (p.106). Hence, the workplace will always have situations or incidents that require a firm understanding and application of one’s knowledge regarding verbal and non-verbal communication.

Even when it comes to technological aspects, communication should be taken into consideration. Sending messages through e-mails or cellular phones still require proper communication with other people, especially in the work place. Messages that are sent around the workplace are supposed to be professional and formal in tone. A person’s behavior in an organization must also express proper decorum when interacting with other office workers. This can be done by being less talkativeness and being flamboyant with non-verbal expressions.

References Burgoon, J.K., Berger, C.R., and Waldron, V.R. (2000). Mindfulness and interpersonal communication. Journal of Social Values, 56, 105-127. Richmond, V.P., McCroskey, J.C., and McCroskey, L.L. (2004). Organizational communication for survival: Making work, work. (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education. Trenholm, S. (2008). Thinking through communication: An introduction to the study of human communication. Boston: Pearson Education.