Introduction

In practically every line of business and in every aspect of life, interpersonal

communication skills are an absolute need. By contributing to meaningful conversation,
interpersonal communication abilities can improve relationships. The purpose of this
reflection essay is to examine my participation in the 12-week interpersonal
communication curriculum. The knowledge I gained along with the micro skills I
practiced throughout the course, like as active listening, reflecting on the lecture
material and emotion, asking open-ended and closed-ended questions, etc., are
discussed in this article. I also got comments from the teacher and my classmates
during the course duration, which helped me get better at communicating. In order to
enhance my communication abilities, I incorporated feedback in my reflective essay,
which will be discussed.

Body

Identifying one's own style of communication in addition to the methods of

communication that other people have is necessary for effective interpersonal
communication. I was able to learn more about my personal communication style and
how it can affect others via the course outcomes and presentations. I was able to
practice my communication skills and get feedback on them through role-playing
games, which might assist people become more self-aware. 1 My communication
abilities also got a boost from it. The significance of listening was emphasized in the
interpersonal communication instructional materials, and methods for developing this
ability were offered. I was enabled to exercise active listening and get criticism on my
capacity for listening using role-playing exercises. Additionally, the course materials
covered strategies for enhancing empathy, such active listening or recognizing
nonverbal clues. Role-playing exercises gave people the chance to test their empathy
and get feedback on it. Role-playing exercises enable people to hone their
communication abilities in imitation of real-world situations. This turned out to be quite
helpful since it gave practice opportunities and input without the strain of an actual
situation.
1
https://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/preface/0/1/3/4/0134624440.pdf
When I was given a role in a role-play which I was unfamiliar with or that needed me to
perform in a manner that didn't seem in line with my personality, I would get tense and
uneasy. As an introvert, I, for one, found it hard to portray a self-assured and
authoritative part in a role play. I started speaking awkwardly and forgetting my lines as I
felt self-conscious.2 As a result, I became self-conscious and began to make mistakes
with my speech or forget what I was saying. Students can engage in a variety of
activities to assist them get over these emotions. One tactic I used was to practice and
be ready for the role play beforehand by going over my lines as well as motions with a
member of my family or a friend. This gave me more confidence and made me feel less
anxious.

In order to better grasp the state of mind of the speaker, I developed my ability to watch
and decipher facial movements like raised eyebrows as well as scowls via interpersonal
conversation. I also learnt how to read body language to determine whether a speaker
is confident, interested, or uncomfortable. 3 Observing non-verbal signals forced me to
focus on both the speaker's words and non-verbal clues, which improved my listening
skills. My interpersonal and communication abilities will improve as a result of this.

Students that are able to actively listen and pay attention in class are better able to
comprehend what is stated or taught. Students are more likely to understand and
remember material when they pay focus and proactively listen. The likelihood that pupils
will remember what they have learnt increases when they are actively paying close
attention. This is since there is a higher likelihood that the data will be analyzed and
retained in long-term memory. 4 Students who can actively listen and pay attention are
more likely to take part in educational discussions and exercises. By doing so, they are
better able to interact with the information and comprehend it more thoroughly. Through
regular practice of active listening, I was able to strengthen my attending and listening
abilities. To do this, I listened to relatives and close companions, participate in group
2
https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2016.1190959
3
https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2019.102326
4
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nozima-Djabbarova/publication/
359439573_TEACHING_LISTENING_SKILLS_WITH_ONLINE_DIGITAL_TOOLS/links/
623c7bf491e0810f44d64a89/TEACHING-LISTENING-SKILLS-WITH-ONLINE-DIGITAL-TOOLS.pdf
conversations, or even take in presentations or podcasts while not in the classroom. I
found that mastering these crucial abilities grew simpler the more I practiced.

The first assumption relates to stereotypes based on demography. People could have
preconceived notions about particular groups depending on their gender, age, colour,
cultural background, sexual orientation, or other traits. The second is making
assumptions about clients' attitudes or behaviours according to how they act or seem.
The third is about making decisions based on prior experiences. 5 Negative prejudices
and preconceptions may develop as a result of people judging their clients on the basis
of their prior interactions with clients who are similar to them. In a similar vein, I'll have
to be mindful of any flaws or bad habits that could result in a biased or constrained
viewpoint.

Nonverbal communication is a crucial area that has to be improved. I may focus on

enhancing my nonverbal communication with them by paying attention to my posture,
making eye contact, as well as practicing various gestures and facial expressions. 6 Any
interpersonal interaction will inevitably have conflict, but I may become better at
handling them by developing forceful and polite ways to express my wants and
concerns. I can also work on active listening and compromise to come up with ideas
that everyone can agree on. I may practice placing myself in other people's situations,
listening intently, and reacting to them with kindness and compassion in order to
increase my empathy. People need to be sensitive to cultural differences as well as
aware of other viewpoints in today's varied society. To prevent miscommunication and
have efficient conversations with individuals from other backgrounds, individuals can
learn regarding various cultures, customs, along with practises. I will practise with
colleagues or mentors, take interpersonal communication seminars or courses, study
relevant works of literature, as well as ask for input from individuals as I attempt to get
better in these domains. Additionally, I will treat interpersonal communication as an
ability which is capable of being honed and enhanced with time, effort, as well as self-
analysis.
5
https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1080/00335637209383125
6
https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbef.2020.100265
Conclusion

In conclusion, learning how to read non-verbal signs is an important ability that may
help pupils better comprehend the feelings, intentions, as well as ideas of others.
Students may improve their capacity for listening and develop the capacity to
communicate effectively in professional as well as personal situations through learning
to interpret posture, tone of speaking, differences in culture, as well as expressions on
the face. Interpersonal communication taught me a lot regarding how to control
communications at workplace. The first point dealt with the need of showing up on time,
paying close attention, clarifying any confusion, and offering feedback to make sure the
audience completely comprehends what is being said. Using the proper vocabulary,
tone, and facial expressions may help you break down barriers to communication and
advance understanding between people. Additionally, I gained insight into ways to
employ various conflict resolution techniques including negotiating, compromising, and
conciliation to settle conflicts and foster good communication. In order to foster respect
and understanding amongst individuals from various origins, I also studied regarding
cultural sensitivity as well as successful communication techniques.