Introduction
Communication is a major part of day-to-day life and a way to connect and share their thoughts and opinions. However, even though interpersonal communication is a common occurrence daily, it is more complex than it might approach to be. Namely, it is a transferable skill that can be applied in one’s personal and professional life. Moreover, it consists of verbal and non-verbal cues depending on the type of interaction. A person’s communication skills may change depending on self-concept, awareness, and esteem. Furthermore, one’s culture also changes how the world is perceived and how people interact. This paper will examine interpersonal communication from the perspective of skills, types, sense of self, and culture.
Transferable Skills
Transferable skills relate to a variety of concepts, including interpersonal communication. The term highlights abilities that can be applied in various settings or environments, including personal and professional (Olesen et al., 2020). Interpersonal communication is a useful transferable skill with a high significance in contrasting segments. Namely, a person who can interact with others without difficulties is more likely to have a healthy social life, succeed at their job, succeed in academic performance, and solve conflicts. It is also a skill that employees value since it can be applied in every business, no matter its industry.
As a result, a good communicator will easily transfer from working in retail to being an HR manager who will have to connect with the workforce daily. Furthermore, the transferability of this particular skill can be attributed to solving conflicts within the personal life and avoiding miscommunication. Based on these circumstances, it is certain that interpersonal communication is, indeed, one of the most significant and versatile abilities one can possess and apply in practice.
Non-Verbal Communication in a Counseling Setting
Non-verbal communication is an essential part of communication that is exemplified through facial expressions, gestures, and similar actions that send a message. Researchers mention that people may have a harder time recognizing such cues since most online interactions lack the need to analyze one’s body language (Venter, 2019). Nonetheless, it is extremely important in a counseling setting for various reasons.
On the one hand, researchers highlight that such cues help self-regulate the communication between therapists and patients (Del Giacco et al., 2020). For example, the therapist notices that the client is not ready to be transparent concerning a particular topic by observing the patient’s body language. As a result, the discussion is diverted to something less challenging.
On the other hand, non-verbal communication is an additional measure that can be applied in diagnosing someone with a condition. For example, the non-verbal communication of a patient with depression differs from the gestures and facial expressions of someone with anxiety. Nonetheless, the importance of such cues is evident, which is why in-person therapy may prevail and be more effective than telemedicine.
Self-Concept, Self-Awareness, and Self-Esteem
Communication is a two-way process, and multiple circumstances can impact how the communicator shares information or the effectiveness of the process. The notions of self-concept, self-awareness, and self-esteem significantly influence communication effectiveness. Self-concept relates to how people view themselves, their strengths, abilities, skills, and weaknesses (DeVito, 2022).
On the other hand, self-awareness is more objective and relates to one’s knowledge about themselves and their abilities. Thus, it correlates with a more direct understanding rather than a subjective assessment or comprehension of the self. Last but not least, self-esteem is the term that highlights how one values themselves. All the terms, while illustrating self-perception, relate to different levels at which individuals understand themselves and their sense of self, which impacts how they interact with the world.
A person with a distorted sense of self cannot always communicate well. For example, social media allows comparisons to be more widely applied (Gulla & Jha, 2019). As a result, people may perceive themselves as less knowledgeable or privileged to communicate on certain topics or with specific people. Thus, they tend to avoid topics they may have expertise in or not interact with people they deem more knowledgeable on certain subjects.
Confidence also impacts interpersonal communication. A person whose self-concept is negative, awareness is low, and self-esteem is distorted may not have the mindset that would encourage interpersonal information sharing. As a result, interpersonal skills are minimized, and interactions are not maximized to their full potential. Such people have difficulty maintaining good social relationships, having confidence in their professional lives, or achieving success in conflict-solving.
Culture and Interpersonal Communication
One’s cultural background significantly impacts how that person interacts with the world. Culture also shares self-perception, and, as mentioned previously, it correlates with interpersonal communication. Culture impacts how a person communicates both verbally and non-verbally. For example, researchers mention the South African context and the negative effects of not acknowledging one’s African culture (Ntuli, 2012). Culture affects communication in how a person chooses to interact with others because of their background and their background with other people.
Moreover, an effective communicator is aware that different people require different approaches. Situations vary from table manners regarding non-verbal cues to business meetings and the choice of words. Similar circumstances can be attributed to settings. For example, talking during a dinner with friends differs from speaking during a business meeting with executives. Similarly, interacting with people from different backgrounds has affected the words and gestures of choice.
Conclusion
Interpersonal communication requires certain skills for maximization and for the interaction’s goal to be achieved. On the one hand, having skills when it comes to communicating is an essential tool that is transferable in a variety of areas of life, including personal, professional, and academic settings. On the other hand, interpersonal communication requires considerations regarding self-perception as well as the cultural background of others.
Both verbal and non-verbal communication are important, yet it is essential to consider the significance of non-verbal cues in counseling. Such elements help avoid miscommunications, alter the discussion, and more accurately determine the patient’s state. Thus, communication is a complex process that requires understanding the self and an accurate perception of others. By implementing these elements, one can become an efficient interpersonal communicator.
References
Del Giacco, L., Anguera, M. T., & Salcuni, S. (2020). The action of verbal and non-verbal communication in the therapeutic alliance construction: A mixed methods approach to assess the initial interactions with depressed patients. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. Web.
DeVito, J. A. (2022). The interpersonal communication book (16th ed.). Pearson Education Limited.
Gulla, A., & Jha, S. K. (2019). Interpersonal communication in the age of social media. Review of Management, 9, 5–8.
Ntuli, C. D. (2012). Intercultural misunderstanding in South Africa: An analysis of nonverbal communication behaviour in context. Intercultural Communication Studies, 21(2), 20-31.
Olesen, K. B., Christensen, M. K., & O’Neill, L. D. (2020). What do we mean by “transferable skills”? A literature review of how the concept is conceptualized in undergraduate health sciences education. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 11(3), 616–634. Web.
Venter, E. (2019). Challenges for meaningful interpersonal communication in a digital era. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 75(1). Web.