Introduction
The course has focused on the skills that help us communicate effectively in personal and professional contexts. The course focuses on self-awareness is considered the key factor in successful communication. So, it is intended to develop and improve skills in the areas of intrapersonal (within the individual) and interpersonal (between individuals) processes (Beebe et al., 2016). The final reflection assignment, involving new information about oneself and how interpersonal communication skills are important in the context of relationships, is an opportunity to explore.
Four Valuable Concepts
The Importance of Active Listening
The top idea that I have gained from the lessons is that active listening is a very important aspect of interpersonal communication. Joseph et al. (2015) have indicated that active listening includes listening to a speaker, understanding the message, and then responding in a manner that is of high quality. This skill becomes highly instrumental in creating solid connections with others as it depicts that one is an active listener who is curious to know about the other person’s opinion.
Through the course, I have become more aware of my tendency sometimes to get distracted or formulate my response while the other person is still speaking. Being mindful of listening actively has allowed me to be more engaged in conversations, ask questions to get more clarification, and contribute with typed responses. This has also added a deeper layer of meaningfulness and high-quality interactions with friends, family members, and workmates.
Active listening implies a motion that involves a deliberate attempt on the part of the listener to shelve their agenda and concentrate only on the speaker’s message. It is all about staying attuned, nodding to show that you understand, and asking intelligent follow-up questions. Whether it is through my expression of interest and enthusiasm about the topic or by paying close attention and responding to the other person, I can make them feel heard and valued, hence solidifying the relationship. Moreover, the active listening skills I have acquired have allowed me to appreciate the different views of other people, regardless of whether these perspectives are similar to or the opposite of mine. Through practising empathy, I have learned to listen deeply and, at the same time, to obtain new understandings and appreciation of the multiparty of other viewpoints. This has stood up well to work for finding solutions to conflicts and perform better in dialogue and problem-solving.
The Role of Disclosure in Relationships
The course also tackles the issue of how self-disclosure affects interpersonal relationships. Self-disclosure is a process in which you tell someone more about yourself by sharing private stuff about yourself (Joseph et al., 2015). In addition, appropriate self-disclosure is known to develop trust, intimacy, and empathy in relationships.
Before this class, I used to close myself up and feared sharing personal details as I thought it might leave me exposed and used by others negatively. Nevertheless, by participating in the conversations and activities during this class, I have learned that self-disclosure is integral to creating connections that matter. I have developed a skill of balancing; I only give out the facts that the other person needs to know but still avoid the violation of privacy. This has brought me strong and natural relations with the people around me.
Through disclosure and conscientiousness towards my inner self, I have seen the people around me bravely do the same. It is a constantly revisited circle of self-disclosure, resulting in a more profound sense of trust, empathy, and mutual comprehension. Through this journey, I have realized that by opening myself up to others, I become more authentic and vulnerable, which leads to a stronger connection and a feeling of belonging. At the same time, I am conscious that the right time and manner are essential in disclosing too much in different cases. A person should avoid revealing personal information that is not directly related to the situation or can damage relationships and make others uncomfortable. Indeed, my ability to do this has established stronger and more meaningful relationships.
The Influence of Nonverbal Communication
The course has also demonstrated the vital contribution of nonverbal communication to interpersonal interactions. Nonverbal cues, including eye contact, body language, and voice tone, can express important information, which is a key factor in the delivery of the message (Joseph et al., 2015).
Before I started this class, my knowledge of the subtleties of nonverbal communication was minimal, and I needed to be made aware of how it could either increase or weaken my intended message. Understanding how my nonverbal body language affects others’ interpretations of me and taking notice of other people’s body language has made me more empathetic towards what others perceive. This has increased my self-awareness of my nonverbal behaviours and my ability to adjust them to fit my communication objectives. It also improves my perception of nonverbal cues in others. For example, sound learnedly shows alertness and engagement, while fidgeting or looking away shows discomfort or disinterest. Just like a warm and inviting tone of voice can make someone feel close or friendly, a more distant or detached tone can sound cold or uninterested. This awareness of nonverbal signals has allowed me to develop stronger relationships and ensure that what I say and what I mean are in harmony.
The Influence of Technology on Interpersonal Communication
Eventually, the class focused on technology’s crucial role in the current era’s interpersonal communication. In the opinion of Joseph et al. (2015), the growing application of different media for communication, for example, email, texting, and video conferencing, has both pros and cons.
Through the discussions and activities in the current course, I have developed an improved ability to use technologies to enhance my interpersonal communication while being aware of the possible risks. For instance, I have realized the significance of sending messages that are clear and appropriate through email and also the need to create a balance between the convenience that texting offers and the value of personal conversations.
Technology can act as a means for improving and undermining communication (Beebe et al., 2016). The positive aspect of these platforms, such as video conferencing, has allowed me to stay connected with people who are far away. At the same time, email has made it possible to communicate conveniently with colleagues and professional contacts. While I have witnessed how technology dependence can be a source of personal disconnect, misgivings, and the loss of vital social cues, I also observed the opposite. Through this realization of technology’s pros and cons in contextualizing interpersonal communication, I have been able to find a better balance. I am now keenly aware of the fact that I have to use technology wisely, making sure that my face to face communications are given priority and being mindful of the tone and content of my messages. This has made me able to nurture the bonds and, hence, to live meaningful relationships both in my personal life and at work.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the areas covered in this course have greatly contributed to my development of interpersonal communication skills and have made my relationships more meaningful. The exploration of active listening, self-disclosure, nonverbal communication, and the role of technology has shed new light on myself and how I can manage communication with others. The wisdom derived from this experience will continue to empower me to deepen and enrich personal and professional relationships, thus improving the quality and value of my relationships and interactions with people.
References
Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Ivy, D. K. (2016). Communication: Principles for a lifetime. Pearson.
Joseph A. D, Rena S., & Dawne C. (2015).- Messages_ Building Interpersonal Communication Skills-Pearson Canada (1). https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/oucialdowcteietdc4zhh/Joseph-A.-DeVito-Rena-Shimoni-Dawne-Clark-Messages_-Building-Interpersonal-Communication-Skills-Pearson-Canada-2015-1.pdf?rlkey=8ygl26rsdynuiged49yp9pa2c&dl=0
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