Interpersonal Communication Guideline

Interpersonal communication is one of the most important skills we must learn in order to function within society. Effective interpersonal communication leads to many great things, such as: closer relationships with those around you, opportunities that would otherwise not occur without effective interpersonal communication (such as getting into a competitive school due to a successful interview), and preventing/resolving conflicts. Without usage of the guidelines presented in effective communication, interaction with other people is more challenging and tedious. My first guideline for interpersonal communication is to be appropriate and effective. In many cases where effective interpersonal communication is not achieved, there is a lack of appropriateness and effectiveness. Appropriateness in interpersonal communication means following the rules. Rule following involves straying from doing or saying anything that would make the other person feel uncomfortable. For example, if one person hates it when somebody is close to their face when talking and the other person continues to do it despite knowing the other hate it, then there is a lack of appropriateness. Effectiveness in interpersonal
Empathic listening involves understanding what the person speaking is thinking or feeling. Empathic listening is important, because it allows us to connect with others on a deeper level. Empathy gives a sense of comfort to many people. We feel good when we know that somebody else can understand how we are feeling or what we are thinking. In my experience, my family tend to be the empathic listeners. When I spoke to my cousin about how much living in different states isolates us from one another, she listen empathically. It felt nice when she said that she understood and elaborated on the subject by sharing her own feelings and thoughts, which were the same as