LESSON 3 Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills include the habits, attitudes, manners, appearance, and behaviors we use around other people which affect how we get along with other people. We sometimes do not understand how important interpersonal skills really are. It's easy to laugh and make jokes about people who obviously lack interpersonal skills, but sometimes we need to examine our own impressions on others to better prepare for success in life as well as for a productive career.

The development of interpersonal skills begins early in life and is influenced by family, friends, and our observations of the world around us. Television and movies also influence this area, but most of these characteristics are passed along to us by our parents or guardians. Some aspects of interpersonal skills are even inherited. Appearance and some personality traits are largely influenced by our genes.

For us to improve our interpersonal skills, we must first be aware of what we are like from the perspective of other people who interact with us. Habits we are unaware of, actions we think go unnoticed, and other things about us that might affect other people are impossible for us to change if we are not aware of them. One of the things that teachers try to do, starting in the early grades, is to help students correct bad habits and to develop good interpersonal skills.

As we become adults, it increasingly becomes our own responsibility to initiate any changes in interpersonal skills that might be needed. They are more important than ever and they greatly influence both opportunities and success. It's just that rather than trying to change interpersonal skills, as is the case when we are children, adults tend to make judgments about one another based on interpersonal skills without explicitly saying that is the case.

Assignment: (Submit your answers by making a comment here. Write your complete name and year level.)

Directions:

For each statement listed below, rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 for each of the items. A rating of 10 would indicate that the statement is always true and a rating of 1 would indicate that it is never true.

1. I always say please and thank you when I ask someone for something.

2. The clothes I wear would never offend another person.

3. If something bad happens to someone I don't like, I tell my friends and laugh about it when that person is not around.

4. I never curse or use offensive language in public places.

5. My hair is clean and well groomed.

6. People who know me would describe me as cheerful and friendly.

7. I always have good posture.

8. When I talk with someone, I look them in the eyes.

9. I keep my fingernails clean and nicely trimmed.

10. I usually become angry and lose my temper when things don't go the way I want them to.

11. When other people do something different from the way I would do it, I avoid being critical of them.

12. I don't bite my fingernails.

13. When I sneeze or cough, I always cover my mouth.

14. My table manners are very good.

15. If someone gives me a gift or does me a favor, I send them a thank you note.