Communication between people is the only way on which people are able to exchange information as well as pass messages in regards to their feelings. There are so many ways in which people communicate with each other. However, the means on which information is passed among different people varies depending on the crowd being addressed. It is important to note that proper communication requires simple speech or ideas that are simple to understand and comprehend in order to allow the receiver to get the message. However, communication varies depending on the types of senders as well as the receivers involved. Taking a team for an example, there is a lot of formal communication when compared to informal communication. Therefore, the main purpose of this essay is to identify an interpersonal communication behavior that has been neglected in line with communication and find ways of improving it.
First of all, interpersonal communication is the process on which people are known to interact with one another as well as exchanging information between themselves and others. This kind of communication can be in two major forms that include verbal and/ or non-verbal communication among different receivers as well as senders. However, it is important to note that proper and interpersonal communication that is effective requires good skills that will build and establish healthy relationships. Most studies have proven that good interpersonal communication requires the skill of active listening which should extend beyond what is being spoken. This is the behavior or skill that I found to require improvements since it plays a vital role in any communication despite how good it is (Lunenburg, 2010 p3). Speakers, as well as the ones giving out a speech or delivering a message, should be aware of the fact that no matter how good the message is, it will be of no importance if the audiences are not active listeners. Improving listening skill will play a huge role in the field of communication. Therefore, I have gone through some sources that have deeply researched active listening skill as well as how its importance in interpersonal communication.
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In accordance with Bambacas, & Patrickson, (2008) in their article about "Interpersonal communication skills that enhance organizational commitment. Journal of Communication Management," it is clear that active listen is the major contributor to a successful conversation. In order to confirm this fact, they both conducted a study that involved 32 HR mangers and 1oo employees where they were trying to figure out the types of interpersonal communication skills they had. They were able to discover that the way the messages were being received proved that the workers lacked the skill of active listening which is a necessity when it comes to promoting organizational commitment. They concluded that the managers need to find ways on which the workers will improve their listening skills ( Bambacas, & Patrickson, 2008 p53). Considering the fact that active listening is the way in which the audiences listen to their speaker in the aim of gathering information as well as creating a good connection with the speaker, it will be therefore wise for the listeners to avoid all the distracting behaviors. This will be very effective especially when they are holding a conversation with others or when being addressed. Therefore, the managers should introduce a system where the workers will be switching off their phones when being addressed in order to pay attention to.
On the other hand, Lunenburg, (2010) of Sam Houston State University was able to discuss the barriers as well as the processes involved in interpersonal communication. In regards to active listening which is being discussed in this essay, he was successfully able to identify and discuss some of the factors that tend to negatively affect the skill of active listening. He clearly stated that listeners must be willing to listen and also be attentive through avoiding distractions. Additionally, he added that active listeners must be ready to listen for message content. This simply meant that the receiver must, by all means, find ways of trying to get the exact message that is being passed by the sender ( Lunenburg, 2010 p7). Secondly, in regards to distraction, the listeners should always put some of the items that are not necessary at that time away. Such items include laptops and phones to pay attention to what is being discussed. On the second hand, they should also ask questions especially on the parts that are not clear and even answering the questions that are being asked in order to understand. Through those simple ways, the behavior of active listening will have been improved to its highest level.
Smart and Featheringham, (2006) said that most of the employees have now started to value effective communication as it plays a major role in ensuring success in the competitive market. It is for this fact that most of the universities as well as colleges are now teaching communication skills not only for communication but also when getting a job and maintaining it through effective communication in the workplaces. The authors added that the most crucial aspect that business communication courses should stress on is in regards to active listening which plays the major role when it comes to effective communication not only in workplaces but also in day to day activities ( Smart, & Featheringham, 2006 p276). When the behavior of active listening is improved, then it will help one to get the required satisfaction in the places they are working for since there will be a good and healthy relationship between them and their colleagues. In addition to good relations, the job performance will also improve since one will have a better understanding of what he or she is expected to do.
References
Bambacas, M., & Patrickson, M. (2008). Interpersonal communication skills that enhance organizational commitment. Journal of Communication Management, 12 (1), 51-72.
Lunenburg, F. C. (2010). Communication: The process, barriers, and improving effectiveness. Schooling, 1 (1), 1-10.
Smart, K. L., & Featheringham, R. (2006). Developing effective interpersonal communication and discussion skills. Business Communication Quarterly, 69 (3), 276-283.
