5 Tips On How To Improve Your Interpersonal Communication Skills

5 tips to improve your interpersonal communication skills

Learning how to improve interpersonal communication is crucial. As important as good interpersonal communication skills are, there is no one way to measure them. If you are struggling to gain understanding with others, maintain interpersonal relationships, or get your point across, then you might need to rethink your approach to effective communication.

1. Get Rid Of Distractions

There are many distractions that influence the way you interact with others. One good example of this is the increase in smartphone use. When we are distracted by our phones, we don’t maintain eye contact, pay full attention, or listen actively. It hinders our ability to communicate effectively as part of interpersonal communication. Eliminating distractions and showing others that they have your undivided attention signals that they are an important part of your network.

2. Maintain Eye Contact

Maintaining eye contact is a big part of having meaningful, purposeful conversations. It gives the speaker the necessary validation that you are also engaged and interested in the conversation. If you keep breaking eye contact to look around,  it might give others the impression that you are not interested or that you are bored. Eye contact also builds trust and mutual respect. It is, however, okay to break contact at appropriate times, as staring may also cause discomfort. This is a delicate balancing act that can be perfected with practice.

3. Let The Person Speak Uninterrupted

In most interactions, there will be clear turns for participants to respond. It is important to listen intently while someone else is speaking and wait your turn before responding. If you interrupt someone else, it might give them the impression that you do not care about what they are saying. You should also try your best not to jump in and finish someone else’s sentence for them. You may just want to show that you are engaged in the conversation, but they might feel like you are undermining them and that you think you know more than them. Another example of behaviour that can interrupt a conversation is the occurrence of distracting facial expressions. When someone is making many distracting facial expressions, we tend to focus more on the behaviour rather than on the speaker.

4. Be Aware Of Your Gestures And Posture

Body language is a crucial part of interpersonal communication that can significantly impact our ability to communicate effectively. We don’t often think about the non-verbal messages we are conveying, but these can be just as important as the verbal words we speak, especially in communication at the workplace. When we want to show genuine interest in a conversation, our body language must also be open and receptive. Some open body language includes nodding, smiling, and leaning forward. Some closed body language includes looking away, crossing your arms, and lazy posture.

5. Be Sincere

People who seem sincere have an easier time forging bonds with people around them. To be sincere, you must be aware of your own tone of voice, thoughts, and feelings to be more genuine in your interactions. Use active listening skills, empathy, and sincere body language. Take the time to understand someone else’s point of view and absorb what they are saying and respond from a place of genuine interest.

Improve Your Interpersonal Communication Skills at Work

Embrace Growth and Adaptability

In the ever-evolving workplace, interpersonal communication skills are not static; they require ongoing refinement and adaptation. Recognizing that every job and interaction offers a chance for personal growth is essential. Adopting a growth mindset encourages you to continuously hone and master your communication abilities. Being adept at gauging the mood of a room, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your team members, and adjusting your communication style accordingly are invaluable skills.

Incorporate a Mix of Skills

Interpersonal communication is a blend of various skills, including nonverbal communication, emotional intelligence, active listening, and the ability to engage in constructive criticism and negotiation. These skills might seem challenging to develop, but with a mindful approach, you can cultivate them effectively. For instance, practice active listening in every interaction, whether it’s a brainstorming session or a casual conversation with a coworker. This practice not only improves your listening skills but also strengthens your capacity to understand and empathize with others.

Utilize Digital Tools Effectively

With the increasing use of digital tools, it’s important to master the exchange of ideas not just face-to-face but also in virtual environments. Being a strong communicator means being adept at conveying your message clearly and empathetically, whether in person or through a screen. This involves being mindful of the tone in your emails, the clarity of your messages, and the respectfulness in your video calls.

Recognize the Impact on Morale and Productivity

Good interpersonal skills positively affect team morale and productivity. As a manager or team member, being able to effectively communicate and interact with other people is a key strength. It enhances team cohesion, facilitates better problem-solving, and aids in resolving conflicts. Remember, there is always room for improvement. Being open to feedback, whether it’s praise or constructive criticism, is a crucial step in becoming a better communicator.

Take Proactive Steps for Improvement

Finally, consider setting specific goals for improving your interpersonal skills. Whether it’s becoming a better listener, a more persuasive speaker, or a more effective negotiator, identify areas where you’d like to develop. Regularly seek feedback from peers, managers, and team members, and take actionable steps to implement their suggestions. Reflect on your interactions, be aware of your nonverbal cues, and always be open to learning and growing.

There are many benefits to having strong interpersonal skills. These skills can help you build excellent personal relationships, excel in your professional career, and manage interactions in everyday life. Without these skills, simple things like problem-solving and conflict resolution can become hard to navigate. 

The Leadership Skills and Executive Presence Workshop offers an all-encompassing approach to elevate your communication capabilities. This course goes into the nuances of body language, emotional intelligence, and the art of persuasion, crucial for effective interaction. These elements play a key role in ensuring your message resonates clearly and positively, fostering an environment where people feel valued and heard. Understanding how to improve interpersonal communication skills is a great start to developing your leadership presence. Our full course equips you not only with the ability to communicate effectively but also to connect and lead with confidence.

How to assess your own interpersonal communication skills

To assess your interpersonal communication skills, start by evaluating how clearly you express your thoughts, how well you listen, and how effectively you respond in conversations. Strong communication isn’t just about talking, it includes reading non-verbal cues, managing your tone, and making sure your message is understood. This guide will walk you through practical ways to identify strengths and improve weak spots, so you can build better connections in both personal and professional settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding how you express yourself, and how others perceive you, is the first step to becoming a better communicator.
  • Practicing active listening, managing emotions, and observing skilled communicators can help you build stronger, more authentic connections.
  • Clear, confident communication helps you build trust, navigate challenges, and stand out as a leader in any professional environment.

What Are Interpersonal Communication Skills?

Interpersonal communication refers to how you engage with people through both spoken language and non-verbal behaviour. These skills shape how effectively you collaborate in teams, connect with clients, lead initiatives, manage conflicts, and build long-term professional relationships.

Improving your ability to communicate with clarity, empathy, and confidence can lead to significant growth in how you express ideas, listen actively, and respond thoughtfully. By assessing how you interact in various settings, you create the opportunity to strengthen both your personal connections and career trajectory.

Self-Assessment: How Strong Are Your Interpersonal Communication Skills?

Assessing your communication skills isn’t just about identifying flaws; it’s about becoming more self-aware, empathetic, and intentional in your daily interactions. Begin with a reflective mindset and answer these questions honestly. Consider writing down your thoughts or journaling about specific conversations you’ve had recently.

Infographic titled 'Questions to Rate Your Communication Skills,' providing a 10-point self-assessment for improving workplace conversations, covering aspects like clarity, message effectiveness, empathy, and digital communication.

Here are key questions to guide your assessment:

Clarity and Anticipation

Can I anticipate confusion or miscommunication before it happens? Do I provide enough context when explaining ideas or giving instructions? These questions help you evaluate how proactive and thoughtful you are when sharing information.

Message Effectiveness

Do people regularly understand my messages the first time? Do I adjust my level of detail or tone based on the audience? Reflecting on this highlights your ability to tailor your communication to meet others’ needs.

Openness and Curiosity

Do I feel comfortable asking questions when I don’t understand something? How often do I seek clarification versus pretending to understand? This checks your willingness to stay engaged and clarifies for mutual understanding.

Miscommunication Awareness

Do I notice patterns in how people misinterpret me? Am I often surprised by misunderstandings? These questions help you recognize recurring gaps between what you say and what others perceive.

Empathy and Perspective-Taking

Can I put myself in someone else’s shoes during conversations, especially during disagreements? This reveals how well you acknowledge and consider the emotions and viewpoints of others.

Mindful Speaking

Do I pause and think about how my words will be received, or do I tend to speak reactively? Your answer uncovers how much thought you put into the timing, tone, and impact of your words.

Digital Communication Proficiency

How effective am I at communicating clearly through text-based platforms like email, chat, or project management tools? This helps you assess how well you express ideas and expectations in writing.

Non-Verbal Awareness

Am I aware of my own body language, and can I read subtle cues in others, such as tone shifts or facial expressions? This checks your skill in interpreting and controlling unspoken signals that influence conversations.

Expressive Accuracy

Do I struggle to articulate my ideas clearly, especially when I’m emotional or under pressure? This helps identify emotional states that interfere with your ability to communicate precisely.

If you struggle to answer some of these questions or find gaps in your abilities, that’s perfectly normal. Even highly skilled communicators have blind spots. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Regularly assessing yourself helps you identify recurring communication challenges and become more intentional in how you express and interpret messages.

For deeper insight, consider asking for feedback from coworkers, mentors, or close friends. They can often highlight strengths and areas for improvement that you may not notice yourself.

Why Interpersonal Communication Skills Matter in Your Career

Interpersonal communication is one of the most in-demand skill sets in today’s professional environment. How you interact with colleagues, clients, and supervisors can influence your career growth just as much as technical expertise. People with strong communication skills are more likely to be seen as leaders, collaborators, and problem-solvers, qualities that organizations actively seek and reward.

Improving your communication skills can directly impact your ability to:

  • Advance in your career by articulating your value and building influence
  • Build stronger workplace relationships built on trust, clarity, and respect
  • Win over clients and customers through clear, persuasive messaging
  • Negotiate more effectively by understanding both sides and presenting compelling arguments
  • Resolve conflicts with confidence and empathy, leading to better team morale and outcomes

The modern workplace values emotional intelligence, adaptability, and the ability to work well across diverse teams. Being a strong communicator enhances your credibility and makes you more adaptable to various roles and responsibilities. It is a skill set that grows your potential and sets you apart in any industry.

3 Key Interpersonal Skills to Develop

Mastering interpersonal communication involves a mix of intentional practice, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness. These core skills form the foundation of every meaningful conversation, even if you’re presenting in a boardroom, mentoring a team member, or resolving a disagreement. Developing them not only boosts your confidence but also enables you to navigate complex social dynamics with clarity and empathy.

Focusing on these core areas can help you grow into a more effective communicator:

1. Verbal Communication

This involves more than just talking. It’s about choosing the right tone, vocabulary, and level of detail for your audience and situation.

Example: You’d use a different language when presenting a marketing pitch to executives versus explaining a process to a new hire.

2. Active Listening

Strong communicators don’t just talk, they listen. This means:

  • Listening to facts, emotions and mindset
  • Maintaining eye contact
  • Nodding or using affirmative responses
  • Avoiding interruptions
  • Asking clarifying questions

3. Body Language Awareness

Your non-verbal signals often speak louder than words. Open and confident body language includes:

  • Relaxed posture
  • Steady eye contact
  • Smiling when appropriate
  • Uncrossed arms and hands are visible

On the other hand, fidgeting, crossed arms, and looking away may signal discomfort or disinterest.

How to Improve Your Interpersonal Communication Skills

Improving your interpersonal communication is a continuous process that requires deliberate effort and self-reflection. You don’t have to be perfect to be effective, but being intentional about how you interact with others can create meaningful changes in your relationships and career. You may already have experience and now want to sharpen specific skills. Whatever the case, these practical steps will guide you toward noticeable improvement.

Identify Your Weak Spots

Start by reviewing your self-assessment answers. Pinpoint the moments where communication tends to break down, maybe it’s during group discussions, written exchanges, or emotionally charged conversations. Recognizing these gaps is the first step toward targeted improvement.

Observe Strong Communicators

Look for role models in your environment, managers, colleagues, speakers, who communicate effectively. Pay attention to their tone, pacing, choice of words, body language, and how they adapt their style depending on who they’re speaking to. Note what you can emulate in your own style.

Manage Your Emotions

Self-regulation is a cornerstone of strong communication. When emotions run high, your message can easily become clouded or misinterpreted. Practice techniques such as pausing before responding, breathing deeply, or reframing negative thoughts to stay composed and constructive.

Reflect on Past Interactions

Review previous conversations that felt successful or challenging. What contributed to those outcomes? Were there missed opportunities to listen better, clarify your message, or respond with empathy? These insights can guide how you approach future interactions.

Practice Often

Communication is like a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Look for opportunities to practice: speak up in meetings, engage in discussions, roleplay difficult conversations, or rehearse presentations. Practice builds confidence and improves clarity.

Seek Feedback

Ask trusted peers, mentors, or supervisors for honest feedback on your communication style. What do you do well? What could you improve? Be open to constructive criticism and view it as a tool for growth, not a personal critique.

Final Thoughts: Start Strengthening Your Communication Today

Interpersonal skills don’t improve overnight, but consistent effort pays off. Begin by reflecting on your communication habits, commit to learning, and make small, daily improvements. You’ll build stronger relationships, collaborate more effectively, and position yourself as a confident communicator in any setting.

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Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace

To encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace, you must intentionally create an environment where people of all backgrounds feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. This involves more than just hiring diverse talent; it requires open communication, equitable practices, and a culture that embraces different perspectives. Without these, even the most well-meaning efforts can fall short and negatively impact team morale, collaboration, and performance. Building an inclusive workplace is an ongoing process that demands commitment, self-awareness, and consistent action at every level of the organization.

Key Takeaways

  • Strong interpersonal communication improves collaboration, trust, and productivity in any work environment.
  • Effective communication depends on multiple elements, including clarity of message, awareness of context, and appropriate feedback.
  • You can improve your communication skills by preparing intentionally, adapting to your audience, and practicing active listening.

Interpersonal Communication and Remote Work

Remote work has changed how we connect with our teams. Without face-to-face interaction, it’s easy for messages to get lost or misunderstood. That’s why clear, thoughtful communication matters more than ever. From video calls to chat apps, the tools we use every day should support, not replace, real connection.

When employees can express themselves clearly, listen actively, and respond with empathy, it helps build trust and keeps everyone aligned. It also reduces confusion, delays, and unnecessary stress. For leaders and team members alike, improving interpersonal communication isn’t just helpful, it’s essential to keeping collaboration strong and work flowing smoothly, no matter where people are located.

Companies that prioritize open, respectful communication in remote settings are more likely to stay productive, retain top talent, and adapt quickly to change.

The Components of Interpersonal Communication

If you want to build stronger workplace relationships, understanding the building blocks of interpersonal communication is a good place to start. Communication isn’t just about talking. It’s about making sure your message is clear, received as intended, and responded to with understanding. Here are the core elements that shape how we interact with others at work:

  • Communicators: Every interaction involves at least two people, the sender and the receiver. Both play an active role in the communication process and influence how well the message is delivered and understood.
  • Message: A message isn’t limited to words. It also includes tone, body language, facial expressions, and even silence. These verbal and non-verbal cues work together to add depth, reveal emotions, and shape how the message is interpreted.
  • Noise: This refers to anything that gets in the way of clear communication. It could be background noise, technical issues, unclear language, or internal distractions like stress or assumptions. Recognizing and minimizing these barriers can help avoid misunderstandings.
  • Feedback: Effective communication is a two-way street. Feedback, verbal, written, or non-verbal, confirms that the message was received and understood. It also opens the door for clarification and improvement.
  • Context: Where and how a conversation takes place matters. Emotional state, workplace culture, and social dynamics all influence how messages are sent and received. Being mindful of these factors helps you adjust your approach.
  • Channel: Whatever communication channel you use, even if it’s face-to-face, email, chat, video call, it can affect how your message is perceived. Choosing the right channel helps ensure your message is received clearly.

How to Improve Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace

Strong communication skills can be built through practice, reflection, and intentional effort. In today’s fast-moving work environment, especially with more teams going remote, improving how you connect with others leads to better teamwork, fewer conflicts, and stronger results. Here’s how to get started:

  • Prepare Before You Speak or Write: Before attending a meeting or sending a message, take a moment to think about what you want to say and why. A clear goal helps you stay focused and ensures your message is effective.
  • Understand Your Audience: Think about who you are communicating with. What are their needs, preferences, and concerns? Adjusting your tone and timing to match the situation makes your message more relatable and respectful.
  • Know Your Strengths and Blind Spots: Reflect on how you interact with others. Are you a good listener? Do people often ask you to clarify what you mean? Ask for feedback from coworkers and managers to identify areas for growth.
  • Minimize Distractions: Staying focused shows respect and helps prevent misunderstandings. Find a quiet space for important conversations and avoid multitasking. If interruptions happen, regroup quickly and bring the discussion back on track.
  • Communicate to Solve Problems, Not Just Share Updates: Use your communication skills to prevent small issues from turning into big ones. Address conflicts early, ask thoughtful questions, and aim to create clarity in every conversation.

If you’re ready to level up your interpersonal communication, our Executive Presence & Leadership Coaching can help you gain the confidence and clarity to lead better conversations, build stronger teams, and handle challenges with ease.

Creating a Culture That Supports Open Communication

No matter how skilled individual employees are, real progress only happens when the workplace culture supports open, honest communication. This kind of environment doesn’t happen by chance; it’s built through consistent actions, clear expectations, and strong leadership.

Leaders set the tone by modelling transparent communication, encouraging input from all team members, and responding thoughtfully to concerns. Psychological safety, where people feel comfortable speaking up without fear of judgment or backlash, is essential.

Organizations can foster this culture by holding regular team check-ins, offering training on communication and feedback, and recognizing employees who demonstrate strong interpersonal skills. When communication is valued and supported across all levels of the company, employees are more engaged, collaboration improves, and trust becomes a core part of the workplace.

Final Thoughts: Take Ownership of How You Communicate

Improving interpersonal communication is not just a soft skill; it’s a career-strengthening tool that influences how well you connect, collaborate, and lead in the workplace. By understanding the key elements of communication, practicing emotional intelligence, and contributing to a culture of openness, you can create a meaningful impact in your team and organization. These are not one-time efforts but ongoing habits that grow with intentional practice.

Start by making small but consistent improvements in how you prepare for conversations, listen to others, and adjust your approach based on context. The more effort you put in, the more natural and effective your communication will become over time.

Master the interpersonal skills that drive real workplace results.

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Key Interpersonal Communication Skills you need to Improve

What are interpersonal communication skills

Interpersonal communication skills are the abilities we need to communicate effectively, both verbally and non-verbally. Possessing these skills can help us to work well with others and interact effectively with others out in the world. These skills can be greatly valued in a work environment as they can help lead a business to higher success rates. Employees with pleasant demeanours and practical communication abilities are therefore more likely to do well in the workplace. They do better with teamwork, constructive feedback and within team-building situations.

These skills depend on a person’s ability to pick up on and interpret signals from other people to adequately and appropriately respond. They may be more developed in some people than others and can depend greatly on the personality type of certain individuals. To learn more about strong interpersonal skills, however, it is vital to first understand the concept of interpersonal communication.

What is Interpersonal Communication?

Interpersonal communication is the act of sharing information such as thoughts, emotions, and ideas verbally and non-verbally between people. By effectively sharing information, we can better understand and interact with others, both professionally and personally. With the digital age upon us and with so many different channels of communication available, it is becoming increasingly important for individuals to harness and develop how they communicate.

Elements of Interpersonal Communication

There are a few elements that play a role in effective interpersonal communication. These elements have been the subject of many research studies and can be broken down into the following categories:

  • Communicators – It goes without saying that any conversation needs at least two participants. Within this verbal transaction, there is always a sender and a receiver. However, these roles often switch between individuals as the conversation progresses because of the need for back and forth communication. There is, therefore, more than one communicator that will both receive and send messages in an interactive exchange.
  • The Message – This is more than just the information conveyed throughout a conversation. Things like non-verbal cues, posture, direct eye contact, gestures, facial expressions and body language can also contribute to the message received during communication. Non-verbal signals can be just as important to a message as spoken words, as they can convey our true feelings. For example, it is more challenging to hide emotions such as tension, sadness, disgust or affection with non-verbal behaviours as body language can reveal more than we think. The message that is then given as a response is known as feedback.
  • Noise – This can be defined as anything that can distort the message. With interpersonal communication, this includes physical noise but can also include disinterest, lack of eye contact or attention, complicated words, cultural differences and misunderstanding.
  • Channel – This refers to the means of communication, how it is transmitted. Communication can be face-to-face, telephonic, written. Different channels of communication rely on different verbal and non-verbal elements. For example, a telephone conversation is not reliant on body language but relies mainly on speech, whereas face-to-face conversations also rely on non-verbal communicators.
  • Context – The context in which communication takes place is very important for successful interpersonal communication. When a conversation takes place in a social setting, it requires different situational skills than a conversation in an office.

Why you should practice your interpersonal communication skills.

Even though some people may be born with the ability to use such skills effectively, there are many people to whom this ability does not come naturally. Of course, these are skills that can be learned and improved through practice. Here are some workplace benefits of developing your interpersonal communication skills:

  • Build your credibility and trustworthiness.
  • Build better relationships with team members.
  • Develop people skills, reduce misunderstandings and gain job satisfaction.
  • Enhanced problem-solving, negotiation and conflict management skills.
  • Battle shyness to improve confidence and assertiveness.

It is important to remain aware of your ability to communicate with those around you effectively. By practising self-awareness, you will be able to identify any problem points you may experience with interpersonal communication, allowing you to focus on development and self-growth.

Working a Room: The ABC’s of Interrupting a Conversation

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Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert when it comes to entering a room full of strangers you break into a sweat and have butterflies flying in your stomach. Working a room can be hard, if you don’t know what you’re doing.

A recent post I read talks about the top four most “uncomfortable” moments when working a room:

  1. Starting the interaction
  2. Breaking off an ongoing conversation
  3. Bringing someone new into your conversation
  4. Interrupting an ongoing conversation

The post offers a few pointers on the last point, “interrupting an ongoing conversation,” as that can be one of the most uncomfortable things to do from the above four.

So if you want to walk up to a group and join their conversation, here are some tips:

First, take a deep breath & realize that people in networking events EXPECT you to break into their conversations. You’re introducing them to new people (yourself) without them having to interrupt someone else’s conversation. Some people will be absolutely giddy that you’re rescuing them from the previous conversation.

Second, breaking into someone else’s conversation takes some guts but it gets easier with practice. It’s as easy as A-B-C:

A. Do what you would do if you saw someone you already know. That is, walk up & catch the eye of one member of the group, then stick out your hand to shake his/her hand.

B. Say, “Excuse me. I’m ____. May I join your conversation?” Amazingly creative, huh? But, as with “Open Sesame,” the group will magically open up to make room for you.

C. Sometimes the group is in a meaty conversation when you walk up, so just introduce yourself briefly with your name (no elevator speech at this point) & say, “You looked as if you were in an interesting conversation when I walked up. Please continue.”

Building your business network by working a room well can be as easy as A-B-C if you know how to do it well and with confidence.

When it comes to business networking, the little things you do make a big difference.

Interpersonal Communication Skills training can be a great way to learn all about working a room including tips on reading body language, prepping up your conversation skills, perfecting your handshake and much more.

Have Good Manners and “Respect” Disappeared in 2012?

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There’s no doubt that our society today is very different from what it was a few decades ago. But has “respect” disappeared from our society? Watch a recent CBS news report to find out what people are saying about good manners.

Respect and good manners never go out of style. No matter where in the world you might live; we all want to be treated with respect. If you think about it, etiquette is nothing but respect – Respect for others in the way you treat them in business or at the job, while travelling or at the dinner table; and it’s also respect for yourself – how you look and feel, how you dress and how you present yourself in front of the world.

Corporate Class Inc.’s etiquette classes in Toronto teach you that the first step to receiving respect is to give respect.

Find out more about our various etiquette classes in Toronto including:

To get more information about etiquette classes in Toronto and how they can deliver measurable benefit to your organization, contact Diane Craig.