Interpersonal Skills for Work Place - Essay Example

Interpersonal Skills for Work Place Introduction Interpersonal skills are important in almost every job because in today’s dynamic business environment employees have to interact with each other at all times. In this paper we will talk about interpersonal skills. While referring to the case in question, attitudes and behaviour of team members will also be analyzed. Key issue of communication within organizations and teams will be explored and recommendations will be made as to how team members will be encouraged to participate appropriately. Interpersonal Skills Interpersonal skills are important for effective communication in all spheres of life. While communicating it is essential to understand the person with whom you are communicating so as to take out maximum of the interaction. It is quite clear that interpersonal skill is an important part of managerial competence that can differentiate between the successful and the unsuccessful (Hayes, 2002). The nature of interpersonal communication is dynamic because it cannot be explained or generalized easily. People are extremely different and therefore there is no one theory that can inform managers about how to behave in the workplace. Each situation has to be assessed individually and then judgement should be made accordingly. The aim should be to maximize the benefit of the organization and gain maximum out of the employees. The theoretical framework explaining effective interpersonal skills can only be used as a guideline. It is based upon general principles that are aimed at effective listening and communication of thoughts. It is also vital not to overreact but at the same time digression should be avoided at all cost. Such basic techniques can improve interpersonal skills at the workplace. Analysis of Team Members In the meeting there are different team members. First of all it is important to clearly define roles of chairperson and care manager. Then direction of the housing association is to be set. It is extremely important to shape the conversation on the right track otherwise no conclusive thing will come out of such meetings. It is also important to understand the behavioural cues of the team members. In face to face encounters on average 55% of communication is done through body language and only 7 % is communicated through words (Donnelley & Neville, 2008). This is why team members that are not speaking may be contributing to the meeting. It is therefore important to understand their point of view as well. Moreover people who are being counterproductive should be dealt with strongly. In health and social care team work is important because one man cannot provide all the service to even one patient (Reeves, S. et.al, 2011). For this reason this team meeting is extremely important for the housing association. All employees should be brought on the same page because only then the new standards can be met completely. There is a sense of dissatisfaction among members and this can only be removed through effective interpersonal skills. Not only the group needs direction, it needs motivation so that clear objectives can be set for the housing association. Key Issues of Communication within Organization It is often ignored while working in groups that subjective judgements are not always correct (Furnaham, 2005). This is particularly true for the case under question. There are some team members who are not contributing but that doesn’t mean they cannot contribute. Given the right circumstances every team member can contribute. They only need the right kind of encouragement and support. Another problem in organizations is that individual differences are ignored. Everyone is different and diversity should be appreciated. Everyone cannot be treated in the same manner and this should be accepted wholeheartedly. The use technology has also changed the dynamics of communication within organization (Arnold, J. et. al, 2004). Technology has eased communication but at the same time it has also complicated the process. People sitting in different places and belonging to different culture find it difficult to communicate using technology and cultural issues often surface. Every manager should be aware of these issues. Belbin’s Theory and Ideal Role It is important for the team that one member should assume the role of a coordinator. The change that is needed will come from a coordinator as Belbin’s theory identifies coordinator as a person, who is trusting, accepting, and at the same time is goal oriented. This is the kind of leader the team needs because cohesion is needed in the team. A person who should keep the team together but at the same time is strong enough to enforce decisions. Shaper is another characteristic of the Belbin’s theory that will set well with the leader (Belbin, 2004). It is important to resist digression of all forms and therefore a shaper is needed who can shape the discussion in the right manner. Recommendation for the Housing Association Meeting It is vital that all team members are given a straight path in order to meet the required standards. Now every team member should be aware of what is required to be done. Input should be taken from every person and each person should be forced to speak up. Also team members should be studied carefully and individual differences should be noted. It was found that age, gender, and background have an impact on the work of health care professionals (Neville, 2009). This should be kept in mind and all team members should be treated differently. It is important to take control of the situation and team members should not be allowed to digress from the main issue. People in general have a need to interact socially with other members of the society (Hargie & Dickson, 2004). Therefore people will speak and it will not be easy to stop them. But it is a job of a good leader to take matters in his or her hands. This is what is required in the housing association meeting. Conclusion In the above paper we identified many issue that organizations generally and manager specifically face when it comes to communication. Interpersonal skills are important for managers because their main job is to interact with employees and to elicit work out of them. People are different from one and other and therefore it is extremely important to identify differences and accept diversity. Also people of different kind need to be dealt in a different manner. There are also tough people in organizations who want to speak at all times. It is essential for managers to know when to step in and stop them. There are others who need encouragement and motivation to speak up. Body language is also important because most communication is done through body language. The role of technology can also not be ignored because it has affected the lives of everyone around us. Technology has made communication complex and has created cultural diversity issues. All these aspects of interpersonal skills should be taken into account in order to manage the housing association meeting. Bibliography Arnold, J Et al. 2004. Work Psychology: Understanding Human Behaviour in the Workplace, 4th edn. London: Prentice Hall  Belbin, R M. 2004. Management Teams: Why They Succeed or Fail, 2nd edn. Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann Donnelley, E. & Neville, E. 2008. Communication and Interpersonal Skills. London: Exeter and Reflect Press  Furnaham, A. 2005. The Psychology of Behaviour at Work: The Individual in the Organization, 2nd edn. London: Psychology Press Hargie, O. and Dickson, D. 2004. Skilled Interpersonal Communication: Research, Theory and Practice, 4th edn. London: Routledge Hays, J. 2002. Interpersonal Skills at Work. Oxford: Routledge  Neville, L. 2009. Interpersonal Skills for the People Professions. Chicago: Reflect Press Reeves, S Et al. 2011. Inter professional Teamwork for Health and Social Care. New York: Jon Wiley and Sons  Read More