Indian Institute of Management, Kashipur

Master of Business Administration (MBA Program)

Workshop on Interpersonal Skills, Term I, Academic Year 2020-2021

Course Outline

I. INSTRUCTOR DETAIL

Name: Dr Niva Bhandari, MDI-Gurgaon

Phone: 9999830960
Email: niva.bhandari@mdi.ac.in

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION

In a fast-track business environment, effective communication and effective interpersonal

skills are essential for success, both at individual and organizational levels. As managers
collaborate and manage teams, interact with peers & seniors, the skill to effectively
communicate becomes vital for building relationships, ensuring cooperation, steering
workflow and delivering results efficiently.

This challenge becomes critical and complex in business and organizational settings
where managers are caught unaware by the sensitivities of their colleagues. More often
than not, they are even unable to appreciate why they are facing challenges or resistance
to their ideas or proposals. Simple day-to-day variations as in sense of dressing, sense of
timing, sense of implicit or explicit verbal and non verbal expression to complex issues as
in acceptable level of credit sharing, expectation setting in team-work can become a
cause of bitter experiences, many times irrevocable. Far too frequently, the people who
have the most to say have the hardest time saying it. Many of the best minds in our
society and corporate world, our most talented employees fail to make the impact they
could, due to ineffective strategies for communicating their ideas and insights to others.
Perhaps this is why top executives are reiterating the point that managers should be made
to learn the functional importance of effective interpersonal skills.

It is in this context that the curriculum of this course has been designed to develop the
Interpersonal competencies of future managers for successful participation in a global
business environment. This 10-session workshop is geared towards helping its
participants effectively communicate and demonstrate great interpersonal skills.

We will look at a range of successful practices and guidelines that have been derived
from both research and experience, give you the opportunity to develop and practice your
skills, and provide you with feedback to help you strengthen them. The emphasis will be
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more on practice than theory. The aforesaid objectives will be met through workshop
methodology including interactive lectures, cases, exercises, group assignments, role-
plays, video analysis and feedback sessions. Typically, we will use a workshop format
that relies heavily on discussion and in-class exercises.

III. PREREQUISITES

The readings are the prerequisites for each session.

IV. COURSE COMPETENCIES (CC) / LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Understand the nuances of verbal and non-verbal communication

2. Deliver “high-impact” communication with “internal” and “external” stakeholders
3. Develop and practice positive interpersonal skills in intercultural contexts
4. Develop and refine professional workplace interpersonal competencies
5. Develop “Executive presence” and maintain business protocol.
6. Develop interpersonal skills that contribute to effective and satisfying, personal,
social, and professional relationships

V. TEXTBOOKS (REQUIRED MATERIALS)

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

 Walter J. B. (1996). Computer- mediated communication impersonal, interpersonal

and hyperpersonal interaction. Communication research, 23(1): 3-43.

 Mitra, Barun K. (2012). Personality Development and Soft Skills (4th ed.). New Delhi:
Oxford University Press.

 Mukerjee, Hory Sankar. (2013). Business Communicating: Connecting at Work. New

Delhi: Oxford University Press.

 Ramesh, G. and Ramesh, M. (2012). The ACE of Soft Skills: Attitude, Communication
and Etiquette for Success (3rd ed.). New Delhi: Pearson Publication. (Ramesh &
Ramesh)

Additional material might be distributed each week by the faculty and/or shared through
google classroom. To keep up with current material on the topic of Interpersonal skills,
students should review/read at least one or two interpersonal communication and skills
related websites daily and at least one newspaper/ journal.
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VI. GRADING CRITERIA

As per MBA Manual

VII. COURSE ACTIVITIES TO MEET OBJECTIVES

For reading assignments and directions, please follow the course syllabus. The faculty
member will assign several caselets for discussion and review. Furthermore, the exercises
may be completed in the class as well as assigned as take-home projects to groups and
individuals as applicable.

Other Useful Information:

1. If students have difficulty accessing any part of the course materials or activities
for this class, they should contact the instructor immediately.

2. No late assignments will be accepted unless arranged with Instructor in advance.

Detailed Session Plan:

Mod Complete Session Readings and Lecture Learning Objectives

ules Detail for all Videos1
sessions
 The Power of Talk: 1. Understand and practice
1. Active, Who Gets Heard and Active & purposeful
Empathic and Why, Deborah listening. The listener not
Mindful only seeks/gives a serious
Tannen
response to a serious
Listening  Listening (from BC, question but shall be able
ch 3, Asha Kaul) to evaluate the quality of
 Excerpts on the response/s.
Listening from 2. Help students gain insights
Search Inside into effective and empathic
listening for better
Yourself by Chade-
collaborative team work.
Meng Tan 3. Listen, acknowledge,
respond and integrate
better.

1
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2. Giving,  The Science and Art 1. Understand unspoken and

responding to of Receiving indirect feedback
and Receiving Feedback 2. Learn feedback-receiving
Feedback at Well (2014) skills as an empowering
workplace  To give better idea for self improvement
feedback, you must 3. Help students gain insights
fully understand the into constructive feedback
Module I

agony of receiving it,

Leah Fessler on
Shiela Heen
(Harvard), 2017
 Handout: Essential
Gambits for
Interpersonal
Feedback
3. Non-Verbal  Reading: Non-Verbal 1. Help the student practice
Aspect of Communication appropriate Body
Workplace (from BC: A Language for professional
Behaviour Framework for success
Success, Business
2. Help the student notice the
Communication
Series by Dan unspoken and unsaid non
O'Hair, et. al., The verbal signals
University of 3. Would apprise students of
Michigan) the correct body language
to cultivate relationships
across levels at the
Module II

workplace, business
partners and clients alike.

4. Business  Reading handout: 1. Develop an awareness of the

Etiquettes and Business Etiquette norms of personal grooming
Cross Cultural and Professional and business dressing
Awareness Dress 2. Understand the basics of
telephonic, networking and
dining etiquettes in official
settings
3. Learn the layout and style of
emails at workplace
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5. Assertive, 1. Handouts: 1. Help the student to

Passive and Assertiveness Skills differentiate between
Module III Aggressive 2. How Assertive assertion, aggression and a
are you Now ?
Behaviour at submissive response
3. Assertiveness
Workplace 2. Articulate well, verbally,
+ Situations for Role drawing on logical reasoning
Play and adding value to their
spoken word

6. Principles of Reading handout: 1. Discussion on the use of

influence and  The Necessary Art of influence at workplace
Persuasion Persuasion 2. Building credibility to form
Module IV

 The Persuasion Tools a persuasive persona

Model

Handout distribution:
Situations for Role
Play

7. Basics of Reading: 1. Inputs on Public Speaking

Business  Handling Speaker and handling speaker
Public Challenges challenges.
Speaking  Why Speakers fail 2. Understand the pointers on
to hit the Mark?
AIDA - gaining attention,
 Pauses and Silences
keeping attention, content
(Asha Kaul)
simplicity especially of the
complex aspects.
Module V

8. Basics of Reading: 1. Making impressive

persuasive  The Power presentations by knowing
Business presentations your Audience
Presentations pyramid 2. Organizing content,
 All about Visuals
Engaging the audience,
Handout: Planning visual aids and
Scoring Rubrics for building Audience rapport.
Professional 3. Learning to overcome stage
Presentations fright and handle
interruptions
9. Group Project End term group Presentation by Students
Module

Presentation Presentation Replay, Feedback and Analysis

VI

10. Group Project End term group

Presentation presentation
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Evaluation Components

S. Component Weightage Duration of Nature of Examination

No. (%) Examinatio (Open Book /Closed
n Book)
a) End Term 40 2 to 2 hours Open Book
Examination 30 minutes
b) Quiz (throughout 25 Approx 3 Closed Book
the term) (n-1 quiz Between 10-
marks counted) 20 minutes
c) End-Term Project 15 Group presentation; in
presentation small groups of 3-5
members each
d) Workshop 20 Continuous Participation in the
Participation Evaluation workshop would be graded

VIII. POLICIES
General Academic Misconduct Policy of IIM Kashipur:

IIM Kashipur is strongly committed to a policy of honesty in academic affairs. Students

are expected to do their own academic work. Students are awarded degrees in recognition
of successful completion of academic coursework in their chosen fields of study. Each
student, therefore, is expected to earn his or her degree on the basis of individual personal
effort. Consequently, any form of cheating or plagiarism constitutes unacceptable
academic dishonesty. Such academic misconduct will not be tolerated at IIM Kashipur,
and thus will be penalized according to the seriousness of the infraction, in conformity
with the standards, rules, and procedures of the Institute. Accordingly, students are well
advised to keep in mind that suspension and expulsion from the Institute are among the
sanctions that may be imposed for violations of the Academic Misconduct Policy.

Definitions:
 Plagiarism, as defined by the Little, Brown Essential Handbook for Writers, 4th
edition, is “the presentation of someone else’s ideas or words as your own.
Whether deliberate or accidental, plagiarism is a serious and often punishable
offense” (Aaron, 2001).
 Deliberate plagiarism is “copying a sentence from a source and passing it off as
your own and, summarizing someone else’s ideas without acknowledging your
debt, or buying a term paper and handing it in as your own” (Aaron, 2001).
 7

 Accidental plagiarism is “forgetting to place quotation marks around other

writer’s words, omitting a source citation because you’re not aware of the need
for it, or carelessly copying a source when you mean to paraphrase” (Aaron,
2001).

GUIDELINES:
The United States Naval Academy’s statement on academic plagiarism (USNA, 2004)
provides the following guidelines that will be implemented verbatim at IIM Kashipur.
1. “Give credit where credit is due. Inevitably, you will use other people’s
discoveries and concepts. Build on them creatively. But do not compromise your
honor by failing to acknowledge clearly where your work ends and that of
someone else begins. (USNA, 2004).
2. “Provide proper citation for everything taken from others. Such material includes
interpretations, ideas, wording, insights, factual discoveries, charts, tables, and
appendices that are not your own. Citations must guide the reader clearly and
explicitly to the sources used, whether published, unpublished, or electronic. Cite
a source each time you borrow from it. A single citation, concluding or followed
by extended borrowing, is inadequate and misleading. Indicate all use of another’s
words, even if they constitute only part of a sentence, with quotation marks and
specific citation. Citations may be footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical
references. (USNA, 2004).
3. Recognize the work of others even if you are not borrowing their words. Theories,
interpretations, assessments, and judgments are all intellectual contributions made
by others and must be attributed to them. (USNA, 2004).
4. Paraphrase properly. Paraphrasing is a vehicle for conveying or explaining a
source’s ideas and requires a citation to the original source. A paraphrase captures
the source’s meaning and tone in your own words and sentence structure. In a
paraphrase, the words are yours, but the ideas are not. It should not be used to
create the impression of originality. (USNA, 2004).
5. Cite sources in all work submitted for credit. Your instructor may also require you
to identify the contributions of others in drafts you submit only for review. Ask
your instructor for his or her citation requirements and any discipline-specific
attribution practices. (USNA, 2004).
6. Be cautious when using web-based sources, including Internet sites and electronic
journals. There is a common misperception that information found on the Internet
does not need to be cited. Web-based information, even if anonymous, must be
appropriately cited. Do not cut and paste or otherwise take material from
websites without proper citation. (USNA, 2004).
7. Provide a citation when in doubt. Always err on the side of caution. (USNA,
2004).
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8. Papers will be routinely submitted to www.turnitin.com for review.

Cheating by Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct. IIM Kashipur views plagiarism as the
representation of another’s work, words, or ideas, statement of facts not generally known
as one’s own without use of an academically recognized method of citation. Work
submitted at IIM Kashipur must be the original work of the student. Original work may
include the words and ideas of others, but the source of these words and ideas must be
indicated in a manner consistent with an academically recognized form, style, and
citation manual. Plagiarism subjects the student to penalties pursuant to the Academic
Misconduct Policy. Any student helping a student plagiarize is considered as guilty as the
student assisted.

Plagiarism involves using the words, information, insights, or ideas of another without
crediting that person through proper citation. Proper documentation is required for all
source material as discussed in the individual course policy statement which will be
provided and explained by each instructor during the first session of each course. It is
your responsibility to know the rules for proper citation – claiming ignorance of the
proper citation rules is not an excuse for cheating. One can avoid plagiarism by fully and
openly crediting all sources used.

In the absence of guidance from the instructor, reference “APA Style Manual” (standards
and rules to be followed when referencing source material).

Cheating on Examinations and Assignments:

Academic misconduct consists of cheating of any kind with respect to examinations and
assignments as well as the unauthorized possession and/or use of exams, papers, and
materials. Cheating is defined and characterized by copying answers to examinations,
quizzes, presentations, and projects from a source not approved by the professor. This
includes but not limited to “crib” notes and “cheat” sheets, cellphones, PDA’s, I-Pods,
and of course, collusion with your fellow student (neighbor). In addition, the use of test
banks, computers, answer keys, stolen exams, and instructor’s manuals are expressly
forbidden. (USNA, 2004).

Cheating subjects the student to penalties pursuant to the Academic Misconduct Policy.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:
 The unauthorized submission of work previously presented in another course.
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 Having someone else write a paper for the student; purchasing a paper from
someone or through the Internet.
 Participating in an arrangement whereby work, classroom activity, or an
examination is done by another person.
 Unauthorized collaboration on assignments or work to be presented.
 Arranging to have others take examinations or to do assignments.
 Obtaining examinations prior to administration.
 Communicating or exchanging test information with other students during an
exam or quiz.
 The manipulating of recorded grades or other class records in a grade book or on
a computer system or the falsifying of such information.
 Bribery.

Cheating in IIM Kashipur will not be tolerated.

Discipline for Academic Misconduct:
The professor/instructor has the authority to determine whether plagiarism or cheating
has occurred. She or he will take the appropriate action depending upon the nature of the
infraction.

Expulsion: Deliberate plagiarism is unethical and dishonorable! In cases of deliberate

plagiarism and cheating, the student is subject to immediate dismissal from the program.
In these cases, due process is afforded through the appeals process.

Failing Grade: Accidental plagiarism, or sloppy scholarship, is academically

unacceptable. In cases of accidental plagiarism, the professor/instructor has the authority
to issue a failing grade for the assignment or the course depending upon the severity of
the infraction. In these cases, the decision of the faculty member is final.

Disruption to Academic Process:

Disruption of the classroom or the teaching environment is unacceptable at IIM Kashipur
and is considered a form of punishable academic misconduct. This includes email or any
other form of communication. Disruption of the academic process includes act(s) or
word(s) by a student in a classroom or teaching environment that in the estimation of a
faculty member deflects attention from the academic matters at hand. Examples of such
disruption encompass: noisy distractions; persistent, disrespectful, and/or abusive
interruptions; improper language, dress, and/or behavior; and actions that present a
danger to the health, safety, and/or well-being of a faculty member, student, staff
member, or guest. Disruption also includes tampering with, defacing, or stealing library
or online materials. Punishment for such disruption can range from a verbal reprimand by
 10

the faculty member, to dismissal of the student from class with a grade of “F,” to
suspension or expulsion from the school.

References:
Aaron, J. (2001). The Little, Brown Compact Handbook. (4th ed.) Needham Heights, MA:
Pearson/Longman.
USNA, (2004). United States Naval Academy 9USNA) Statement on Academic
Plagiarism. May 4, 2004 Faculty Senate Meeting. Retrieved on February 21,
2008 from: http://www.usna.edu/Library/Plagiarism/Plagiarism.html
Mujtaba, B G. (2015), Nova Southeastern University, H. Wayne Huizenga School of
Business and Entrepreneurship, Course Outline on HRM4300 - Managing Workforce
Diversity, accessed through AACSB database and this course outline is broadly modeled
after this with necessary adaptations incorporated

IX. MEETING DATES AND LOCATION

When classes will be conducted in campus: 30 minutes after each class session (on
average two sessions per week)
When classes will be conducted online: All doubts through Google classroom / phone
call / email (to be specified by faculty clearly during the first session)

X. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Further Details on Course Assignments (If any)

Active student participation is required in all sessions

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IIM Kashipur
Master of Business Administration

Workshop on Interpersonal Skills, Term I, Academic Year 2020-2021

Evaluation of Individual / Group Assignment by Faculty

Assignment for Course: Workshop on Interpersonal Skills

Submitted to: Dr. Niva Bhandari

Submitted by:
(Student’s name):

(Email address):
(Address):
(Work phone number):
(Home phone number):

Date of Submission:
Title of Assignment:

CERTIFICATION OF AUTHORSHIP: I/We certify that I(we) am(are) the author(s) of

this paper and that any assistance I(we) received in its preparation is fully acknowledged
and disclosed in the paper. I(we) have also cited any sources from which I(we) used data,
ideas or words, either quoted directly or paraphrased. I(we) have added quotes whenever
I(we) used more than three consecutive words from another writer. I(we) also certify that
this paper was prepared by me(us) specifically for this course.

Student’s Signature: ______________________________

Faculty Comment and Marks:

Faculty Signature:
Know your Instructor:
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Dr. Niva Bhandari

Faculty, Business Communication

MDI Gurgaon

Cellular : 91- 9999830960

Office: 0124 456 0175
E-Mail : niva.bhandari@mdi.ac.in/gmail.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drnivabhandari

Brief Profile:

Dr Niva Bhandari is an Assistant Professor in Business Communications at MDI Gurugram. She is a Gold
Medalist, both in her Graduation and her Diploma in Human Resources. She has been teaching PhD, Post
Graduate and Undergraduate courses for last 16+ years.

Dr Niva is a trained Learning and Development Professional and a practitioner of Revised Bloom's
Taxonomy. Dr Bhandari is also a visiting faculty for Executive Communication courses, Spoken and
written Business Communication, Critical thinking and WAC Courses with many IIMs, and other B-
schools of repute, from India and abroad.

Dr Bhandari is a certified Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) Assessor (2014) and a certified
Learning and Development professional (2015). She is also a certified trainer into Negotiation Skills and
Coaching Skills from British Council, Singapore (2019). She is a certified NLP language user for
Persuasion and Influence from Malaysia (2020). She is also an IIM Ahmedabad (2009) and Harvard
Business Publishing certified Case teaching method specialist (2018). Dr Bhandari is a recipient of the
“Femina Woman Super Achiever Award 2017” which was awarded to her by Times Ascent, World HRD
Congress and the World Women Leadership Congress for her work in Education.

She has co-authored a book entitled, “The Emerging Themes in Strategies” with Dr Pillania and Dr
Dasgupta at MDI Gurgaon. She contributes on topics of Education and Gender in National Dailies such as
India Today, Hindustan Times, Economic Times, The Pioneer, Inc. Magazine and few more. She is on the
advisory board of few institutions and organizations. She is also on the Editorial board and reviewing
panel of world-over renowned journals including California Management Review (Reviewer).

She has conducted many customized in-company and cross-company management development
programmes/workshops, in India and abroad, for Government as well as Non-Government officers. She
maintains an active consulting practice, working with executives to develop their interpersonal
communication skills. She has consulted with a variety of organisations including NEC Technologies, PVR
Cinemas, Nucleus Software, Pernod Ricard, IQoR, BHEL, CPWD, IOCL, Ministry of Minority Affairs,
Banking organizations in Nepal and many more. Her open programmes at MDI Gurgaon viz. Persuasive
Communication, Negotiation Strategies, Building smarter organizations: Problem-Solving and Decision-
making for managers, are heavily subscribed (80+ participants) every year. She teaches core courses in
Communication to PGP at MDI in two terms, to executive participants in one term, electives to executive
participants in two terms, core courses to FPM in one term. Her feedback for her teaching and training
assignments is an average 4.5+ out of 5.0. She can been conferred appreciation Honours for her trainings in
Bharat Heavy Electronics Limited (BHEL), Deutsche Bank, Hotel Centaur and NetAmbitt Infosource. She
has also conducted specialized FDPs in Communication and Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy in numerous
Universities and Colleges. She has presented papers in reputed conferences including the Academy of
Marketing and published in numerous International Journals and conference proceedings.
 13

Dr Bhandari has travelled to 23+ Indian UTs and States for professional purposes. As a Communication
professional, she has earlier worked with Indian Institute of Management (IIM) – Ahmedabad, Central
University of Rajasthan, ICFAI and Jaipuria Institute of Management. A first divisioner throughout her
education and a senator at her University, she was second position holder in her Masters in English
Literature and Language. She did her doctorate in Australian Literature and Post-colonial Studies in the
year 2006 on Merit Research Scholarship (2004-06) from her University. She was the recipient of National
Scholarship by the Ministry of Education & Youth Services, GOI for securing Gold Medal in her
Graduation (2002) and by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development, Dept of Education, GOI for
two consecutive years in the year 1997.

Courses Taught (both as regular and visiting faculty):

Leadership Communication (FPM)
Organizational Communication (FPM)
Effective Business Writing and Written Analysis and Communication (WAC)
Business Communication (Core course with executive Batch)
Spoken Business Communication (Core course with executive Batch)
Managerial Communication I and II (Core)
Managing Image and Corporate Reputation (Elective)
Corporate Communication and Media Management (Elective)
Professional and Employment Communication Skills (including personal branding)
Designed and Taught Business Communication I and II
Designed and taught Business Communication Value Add Course, PGDM Trimester I & Trimester III
Designed and taught Business Communication basic and Advanced level courses (Elective) for PGDM
Trimester II and Term IV