Communication & Interpersonal Skills by Dr. Alvin Teoh

The importance of effective communication and interpersonal relationships in your fast-paced industry demands that you not only possess the ability to communicate, but you must also have the attitude, knowledge and skills to connect with others on a behavioral level. This means that you need to have sufficient exposure to the intricacies of human psychology to effectively build relationships with colleagues and customers at the workplace. This workshop presents you with the opportunity to enhance your communication and interpersonal skills, including your ability to persuade and influence, using NLP behavioral approaches other programs don’t teach.

In being a better communicator, you will enjoy breaking down communication barriers at the office or in the work field, enhancing your influencing skills when talking with others, overcome interpersonal misunderstandings with customers and colleagues, and also improve the way you handle difficult people you come across at work

Here are some strategies to improve your communication and interpersonal skills with others (TALK): 

T: Think of others

The biggest mistake we make when interacting with others is that we keep thinking about ourselves. We focus on what we want and how to get it from the other person. We think that we are more important than others. That’s why when we try to persuade others to agree with us using our own priorities, we fail. The key to better communication is to think of what is important to the person we are talking with. What do they want and why do they want it? Is what we are saying relating to that?

A: Ask questions

For us to understand others, we need to ask them questions. The standard questions we can use in a conversation with colleagues and customers are the what-who-when-where-why-how questions. By asking more than we speak, we allow the other person to talk and express themselves. In this way, we keep the conversation alive and going. Asking questions also help us to dig deeper into an issue instead of jumping to conclusions.  

L: Listen

If we hold the art of listening in our hands, we can turn enemies into friends. Let the person talk while we listen without interrupting. Nod your head to acknowledge what they say. Smile or show sadness when it’s needed. Show positive / open body language on our part as they speak. Listen not just with your ears but with your heart as well and try your best to empathize with what someone is telling you.

K: Kind

Finally, be kind. No matter how rude or difficult someone is, be kind. To them and to yourself. Be kind to them means not judging them because we do not know what they are going through in their personal lives. Be kind to yourself means not blaming yourself for the negative behaviour of others. 

In conclusion, in this highly digitized world, communicating with others in an interpersonal way is still more important than being well-connected but only digitally. Understanding others and knowing how to make yourself understood is still key to better work experiences.

Copyright of Dr. Alvin Teoh