EMPLOYING A VARIETY OF

STRATEGIES IN
INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION
Prepared by: Mrs. JONETTE C. LANDAYAN
 AT THE END OF THIS MODULE,
YOU ARE EXPECTED TO:
1. recognize interpersonal communication and its
importance;
2. identify the strategies in interpersonal communication;
and
3. employ a variety of strategies in interpersonal
communication.
 WHAT IS IT
• Interpersonal communication is the process of exchange of
information, ideas and feelings between two or more people
through verbal or non-verbal methods.

• It often includes face-to-face exchange of information, in a

form of voice, facial expressions, body language and
gestures. The level of one's interpersonal communication
skills is measured through the effectiveness of transferring
messages to others. Below are some strategies.
 EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

 Choose the appropriate level of

usage.
 Monitor body language.
 Observe appropriate use of
paralanguage: volume, rate, inflection.
 EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
1. Strategies for Effective Communication
Decisions
 Be assertive.
 Observe courtesy.
 Be tactful.
 Be specific.
 Make it relevant.
 Mean it.
 EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
2. Making Introductions:

Introduce oneself and others by

providing Names, Relationship,
Relevance
 EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
3. Active listening:
 Listen carefully.
 Make a “name note”.
 Make eye contact.
 Shake hands.
 Smile.
 Speak.
 EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

4. Participating in Conversations:

 Conversation is verbal or oral.

 Conversation is spontaneous.
 Conversation is informal.
 Conversation involves taking turns.
 EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

5. Making Requests:
 Figure out who is able to help you.
 Decide how assertive you should be.
 Be specific.
 Determine the best situation.
 Communicate a time frame.
 EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

6. Telephone Conversations:

 Speak clearly.
 Reduce interference.
 Get to the message.
 Respect the caller’s time.
 EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

7. Active Listening During

Conversations:
 Relevance —embarrassment. allows
for a thread of logic to take place from
topic to topic within the conversation.
 Tact — a good conversationalist
tries to minimize
 EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

 Courtesy — do not interrupt.

 Sincerity — good
conversationalists are genuinely
interested in listening and
speaking to others.
10 TIPS TO HELP YOU
BE AN EFFECTIVE
INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATOR
 1. AVOID NEGATIVE BODY LANGUAGE

As the saying goes, “the first impression is the last

impression‟, hence you should always be careful when it
comes to body language. It is said that a typical
communication consists of more than 50% non-verbal
communication, which includes body language. So, if your
body language is sending negative signals to the other
person, the communication will probably break down in the
process.
 2. REFRAIN FROM INTERRUPTING THE
OTHER PERSON
It is very rude to interrupt a person while they
are speaking. Nobody likes to be interrupted
because it hampers the thought process and it is
disrespectful. If you have to make an interruption
and it is necessary for you to speak at the exact
moment, then you need to make gentle
interruptions.
 3. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

Another adage that perfectly describes

this point is „look before you leap‟. You
should think how your words are going
to affect the person with whom you are
communicating before making any
comments.
 4. LISTEN WELL

The ability to listen to what a person is

saying is itself a skill and you should focus
on that while communicating with others. If
you have good listening skills you will be
able to understand that person‟s words
more clearly and react in a positive manner.
 5. BE NEUTRAL

Some people tend to get defensive or

attacking during conversations. You do not
have to get overexcited when someone
points out your mistakes and get defensive or
attack them. Be neutral and transparent so
that you can understand what is actually
being discussed.
 6. STICK TO THE TOPIC

Always try to stick to the topic of

discussion to maintain the relevance of
the communication process.
 7. BE CONFIDENT OF YOUR IDEAS

You should always be confident of what

you are speaking and should take
ownership of your words. This will
increase the trust that the other people
have in you and make the conversation
flow more freely.
 8. BE OPEN TO RECEIVING FEEDBACK

Sometimes it is good to step back and

be receptive to feedback.
 9. USE THE RIGHT COMMUNICATION
METHOD

Communication may not necessarily

always be verbal and you should
understand that different types of
situations ask for different methods.
 10. SHAKE HANDS FIRMLY!

Give a firm handshake but do not make

it a tight one without squeezing. A weak
handshake may indicate lower self-
confidence.