Roles of Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal communication is the interchange of ideas using assortment methods, such as body
exposure, words, facial expression, voice tone, and gestures. It encompasses non verbal, written, and
oral forms of communication and applies to spoken communication between two or more people on a
personal level (Barnlund, 1968). Interpersonal skills form the lifeblood of companies since effective
communication monitors the efficiency of operations and facilitates teamwork. Managers facilitate
interpersonal communication within the company, thereby reducing interpersonal communication
barriers. Interpersonal communication therefore has a vital role in managers’ day to day activities more
so in companies that use teams. It is the basis of vital and efficient business functions, such as conflict
resolution, managing, selling and training.

With conflict resolution, employees cannot always avoid conflicts or misunderstandings at workplace.
Interpersonal skills come in handy to help harness the social and personal skills requirements for conflict
resolution among employees. Interpersonal skills are therefore the primary component of conflict
management in companies where strategies of communication are employed to lessen hostile situations
and stressful environments (Barnlund, 1968). Under management, a manager’s poor interpersonal skill
can irritate both the customers and employees. Imprecise communication often results in wasted time
since it creates a need to revisit matters that were not properly addressed. Interpersonal skills are hence
essential to managers responsible for building trust and cooperation among staff members to upgrade
business goals.

With sales, any given company comprises sales professionals and business leaders with sales-intensive
roles that require an interaction with employees, customers, stakeholders, and colleagues. Most
business transactions take place face-to-face and hence good interpersonal skills can boost the financial
status of a company. With training, most employee training takes place internally within the business
premises. The training often constitutes both the formal and informal training offered by supervisors
and other skilled colleagues (Barnlund, 1968). Business professionals are therefore equipped with the
necessary effective interpersonal communication needed so that they can efficiently direct employees
on the soft and technical skills required to effectively carry out their tasks.

Techniques Used to Overcome Barriers to Communication

Effective communication posits some barriers that are experienced by each organization. Certain
barriers can make communication complex, frustrating, and difficult. The message content from the
sender is misunderstood by the receiver resulting in communication breakdown. For an effective and
smooth communication, it is important to cope and deal with communication barriers (Finney, 2002).
Communication hurdles can be overcome through various ways. One way is by appreciating other
employees’ language and culture elements. Learning other languages improves and facilitates greater
communication.

Secondly, eliminate the gap differences in perception. The company should recruit the right employees
for a job post. The new employees should then be induced to proper programs, such as proper training
that involves both the voice and accent of employees. Also, constructive feedback should be given.
Negative feedback should be shunned, or if the feedback must be negative, then it should be done in a
constructive manner (Finney, 2002). Constructive feedback results in effective communication between
subordinates and superiors. Thirdly, a proper media should be implemented. The company
representatives or managers should select a proper medium of communication. For instance, simple
messages should be delivered orally through meetings or any other personal level communication.
Written communications should be used when conveying a complex message. Memos and notices can
be used when conveying significant message reminders.

Additionally, there should be flexibility in meeting the targets. Managers should ensure that employees
meet their targets on time, and strictly abides by the formal channels of communication. Managers
should not exert more pressure on employees to accomplish their targets. Furthermore, information
overload should be avoided. The managers should not overload themselves with work but rather learn
how to prioritize their duties (Finney, 2002). They should interact with their subordinates, actively
listening to their problems and giving them feedbacks. Moreover, active listening is a requirement. With
active hearing, an individual hears with the proper comprehension of the intended message. Lastly,
emotional state should be avoided since the message being conveyed might be misinterpreted by the
receiver.

Role of International and Intercultural Interpersonal Communications

Global considerations have an impact on the daily business decisions of both the small and large
companies. The current intercultural communication is inevitable as a result of globalization. The current
business, community, and classroom are characterized by intercultural communication (Chen, 1990). It
is therefore essential to embrace interaction with other cultures as a way of promoting unity at the work
place. The main function of intercultural communication is to multiply the understanding of meditated
cultural communication phenomena. Alongside this objective emerge the three separate research
avenues, such as culture general, culture specific and intercultural interaction. Culture general identifies
commonalities across cultures, culture specific identifies behavior communication posited by a certain
culture whereas a combination of both the culture general and culture specific yields intercultural
interaction. Intercultural interaction is communication with numerous cultures (Chen, 1990).

Intercultural communication greatly affects the business sector. With the current emergence of global
and multi-national companies, it is nearly impossible to transact business without cross cultural
communication. Global organizations are increasingly concentrating on the critical value of the cross
cultural competency, process, cost, and efficiency of running a business. For effective cross cultural
communication, knowledge and comprehension of cultural factors, such as behaviors, values, beliefs,
and attitudes should be emphasized (Chen, 1990). In the global economy, effective cross cultural
communication offers pragmatic tools on how to identify communication strategy, conduct business,
and train representatives for the success of the company.

Verbal and Non-Verbal Management Communication

Communication is the basis of any successful profession. Verbal communication is the usage of words to
convey the intended message. The main types of verbal communication include written and oral
communication (Koide, 2003). Written communications includes any communication conveyed by
writing symbols, such as emails, paper documents, short messages, typed electronic documents, and
text charts. The written material can only be effective depending on its clarity, the writing style used,
vocabulary, and grammar. This type of communication is mostly applicable in formal business
communication and when giving legal instructions. Oral communication on the other hand is the actual
spoken word either through the phone, face-to-face, video conferencing or even voice chat. Several
types of formal communication, such as conferences and lectures; and informal communications like
grapevine constitute oral communication. Oral communication depends on visual cues and body
language, speech clarity, speed, voice modulation, volume, and pitch for its effectiveness. Oral
communication is used in casual and informal discussions (Koide, 2003).

Non-verbal communication is interaction without the indulgence of words. This communication

emphasizes on the verbal communication but it can also convey a message on its own. The use of non
verbal communication and the analytical comprehension of body language is a strapping tool, and
essential when relating to others. Non-verbal communication entails any form of communication in
addition to the spoken words (Koide, 2003). Body language or the physical non verbal communication
includes the overall body movements, such as eye contact, tonal voice, body posture, and touch among
others. Facial expression is the frequent form of non verbal communication. For instance, although it
can be challenging to translate non verbal communication to verbal communication, a frown or smile
indicates distinct emotions.

Approaches for Effective Written Management Communication

The function of business writing is to either deliver or request for information. A successful business
writing should be complete, accurate, and concise. The written text should be comprehensive and
precise. Ineffective business writing emerges as a result of sloppy, jargon, disorganized, and incomplete
text (Suchan & Dulek, 1990). Effective written communications impacts careers, and can influence one’s
relations with staff, positively impacts the first impression made on prospective clients, and educate
customers on the important facts about the products. Skills on excellent honing writing are
advantageous to marketing materials, such as website copies, articles, brochures, fliers, and newsletters.
There are procedures to follow when writing an effective business, such as an instruction manual for
software packages, an email to department or a sales proposal.

To begin with, one should use a professional tone. The audience is likely to base their opinion from the
attitude, content, tone, and style from your writing. It is therefore important to use a professional and
positive tone by using direct and simple language. The focal point of attention should be the audience
and not oneself. It is also important to know the audience prevalence. The written article could be
intended to different correspondence varying from lawyers, medical doctors among other fitness
professionals to customers of all ages and occupations, comprising children. One should, therefore,
know their technical expertise, backgrounds, mindsets, and possible reactions to the written material.
Acknowledging one’s audience is an effective way to convey a written message (Suchan & Dulek, 1990).

Additionally, information should be organized clearly. The information written should be organized
according to the purpose of the writing. One’s thoughts should therefore be arranged so that the
correspondence can easily understand what is being conveyed. To top up the list, right formatting
should be incorporated. Correct format synonymously implies how correspondence is represented
online or on the piece of paper (Suchan & Dulek, 1990). Writers should select the varying formats
depending on delivery method. For instance, the format used when writing a memo is totally different
from the format used when writing an e-mail. Visual elements should also be incorporated wisely. Visual
elements, such as numbered or bulleted lists, italicized or underlined texts and font type stress on the
primary points and draw an effective correspondence. Select a suitable font size that will make the
writing to be easy and without bringing about any wrong impression.
Engaging Audience and Encouraging Active Listening

Sometimes, presentation can be boring. Most presentations constitute interesting works but the
manner in which they are presented comprises errors. The biggest mistake however is for the speaker to
neglect the listening patterns of the audience. Errors should be minimized to increase the effectiveness
of presentations. The involvement of audience makes the presentation lively, easier, and interesting. It
is important to create strategies to frequently involve the audience. The audience is likely to pay more
attention if they are certain that they will get involved in part of the presentation. By creating a chance
for the audience to interact with one another, it facilitates the learning dimension of presentation.

For an interactive and engaging presentation, the presenter should ask for interaction. Commence the
presentation by informing the audience that you expect their interaction and questions. This will make
the audience pay attention and come up with the necessary questions they seek to find answers. The
presenter should ask intriguing questions at the start to get people talking. Starting a presentation with
a question brings different ideas to the minds of the audience, and this will increase their participation
by engaging in the presentation. The presenter should also get to know the opinions of his/her
audience. An important aspect of successful presentation is for the presenter to relate with the
audience. The presenter can randomly pick an individual among the audience and ask for their opinions.

Methods of Conflict Resolution

Conflict is a scenario, whereby the goals, interests, values or needs of the parties involved interfere with
each other. Conflict is a common scenario in the workplace. Different stakeholders have different
priorities and as of such, conflict may involve boss and subordinate, team members, organization and
customers, and the projects within the organization. Conflict is an inevitable interpersonal relationship
that can result in a positive experience if handled properly. Conflict does not necessarily result in defeat,
failure or separation of individuals. It is therefore essential to understand the various techniques used in
conflict resolution.

In the first place, one should shun away from conflict. By ignoring the conflict, one simply assumes that
the conflict never existed. One can avoid conflicts by pretending that everything is okay or by simply
stonewalling. Another technique in conflict resolution is compromising. Considerations and courage are
the frequently used tools when establishing a common ground for conflict resolution. One agrees to let
go of smaller points and negotiates larger points hence facilitating the resolution process. Collaboration
is another conflict resolution. When collaborating with the offended party, one has to understand their
side of the story and address the areas of disagreement for a common goal of the involved parties.

Conclusion

In summary, it is essential to note that communication is a fundamental necessity for the success of any
business. Effective communication enables a clear understanding between employers, employees, and
customers. Virtual communication is a nurtured norm in business culture. Interpersonal skills are very
profitable to most companies since effective communication monitors the efficiency of operations and
facilitates teamwork. Communication barrier can be overcome by appreciating other employees’
language and culture elements. Conflict is a major challenge experienced in most organizations but if
handled properly, it can be the beginning of mutual understanding in the workplace.
References

Adler, R. B., & Rodman, G. R. (2012). Understanding human communication (11th ed.). New
York: Oxford University Press.

Barnlund, D. C. (1968). Interpersonal communication; survey and studies. Boston: Houghton

Mifflin.

Chen, G. (1990). Intercultural communication competence: Some perspectives of research.

Howard Journal of Communications, 2(3), 243-261.

Finney, A. (2002). Improving Multi-agency Coordination: Overcoming the Barriers to

Communication –A Case Study. Crime Prevention and Community Safety: An International
Journal, 4(4), 33-45.

Koide, G. (2003). Verbal and Non-verbal Communication. Trends in the Sciences, 8(3), 28-31.
Suchan, J., & Dulek, R. (1990). A Reassessment of Clarity in Written Managerial Communications.
Management Communication Quarterly, 4(1), 87-99

Suchan, J., & Dulek, R. (1990). A Reassessment of Clarity in Written Managerial

Communications. Management Communication Quarterly, 4(1), 87-99.