Think about your current “human interaction” skills (often referred to as interpersonal
communication skills). You might consider your general communication skills (such as
expressing yourself clearly, thinking before you speak, making up your mind firmly, saying “no”
without feeling guilty), your self-awareness skills (such as understanding your own strengths
and weaknesses, being able to identify your values, recognizing the impact of your behavior on
others, setting realistic goals), and your interpersonal skills (such as listening with an open
mind, being a good “people reader,” expressing feeling appropriately), and so on.
Communication competence is addressed on pages 22-33 in Chapter 1.
In narrative (essay) form, respond to the following questions: What do you identify as your two
or three most significant strengths in the area of communication? Illustrate each of these
strengths by a specific personal example. What do you identify as your one or two most
significant weaknesses? Illustrate (specifically) why you feel these are problem areas. Now
determine three to five goals (in the area of interpersonal communication/human interaction)
you would like to set for yourself this semester. What is one specific thing you could do now to
begin reaching one of those goals?

ANSWER

Reflecting on Interpersonal Communication Skills: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Goals

Introduction

Effective interpersonal communication is a cornerstone of building relationships, resolving conflicts, and achieving personal and professional success. In this reflective essay, I will identify my two most significant strengths in the area of communication, provide specific personal examples to illustrate these strengths, pinpoint my two primary weaknesses along with reasons for their identification, and outline three goals for enhancing my interpersonal communication skills this semester. Additionally, I will propose a specific action step to initiate progress towards one of these goals.

Strength 1: Active Listening

One of my most significant strengths in communication is active listening. I have a natural inclination to engage fully in conversations, providing my undivided attention to the speaker. An example of this strength occurred during a recent meeting at work. A colleague was expressing frustration with a project’s progress. Instead of formulating a response immediately, I actively listened, nodding in agreement and maintaining eye contact. This allowed my colleague to feel heard and supported, and it paved the way for a more constructive discussion.

Strength 2: Empathy

Empathy is another key strength that I recognize in my communication style. I genuinely strive to understand and share the feelings of others, which enhances trust and connection. A recent personal example involves a friend who was experiencing a difficult breakup. Rather than offering solutions or minimizing their pain, I chose to sit with them, express empathy, and allow them to share their emotions. This empathetic response provided the emotional support they needed during a challenging time and strengthened our friendship.

Weakness 1: Impatience

One significant weakness in my communication is impatience, particularly when I perceive that a conversation is progressing too slowly or if the speaker is long-winded. This impatience sometimes leads to interruptions or rushing the conversation, which can be detrimental to effective communication. For instance, during a group discussion in a class, I interrupted a fellow student who was elaborating on their point, unintentionally disrupting the flow of their thoughts and conveying a lack of respect for their perspective.

Weakness 2: Non-Verbal Communication

I have also identified that my non-verbal communication skills, such as body language and facial expressions, can be inconsistent with my intended message. At times, I appear disinterested or indifferent during conversations, even when I am genuinely engaged. An example of this occurred during a job interview when I failed to maintain appropriate eye contact, potentially affecting the interviewer’s perception of my enthusiasm and suitability for the role.

Goals for Improvement

Enhance Patience: One of my primary goals is to improve my patience in communication. To achieve this, I plan to practice mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing, during conversations where I feel impatient. This will help me stay present and focused.

Refine Non-Verbal Communication: I aim to work on my non-verbal communication by seeking feedback from trusted friends or mentors. By becoming more aware of my body language and expressions, I can align them better with my verbal communication.

Develop Conflict Resolution Skills: Another goal is to enhance my conflict resolution skills. I plan to enroll in a conflict resolution workshop to acquire effective strategies for handling disagreements and disputes.

Specific Action Step

To begin working towards my goal of enhancing patience, I will consciously remind myself to pause and take a deep breath when I feel impatient during a conversation. This small action can help me regain composure and allow the speaker to express themselves fully.

Conclusion

In reflecting on my interpersonal communication skills, I have identified strengths in active listening and empathy, along with weaknesses related to impatience and non-verbal communication. Setting clear goals for improvement and taking specific action steps will be essential to becoming a more effective and empathetic communicator. Starting with the immediate action step of deep breathing to manage impatience, I look forward to a semester of personal growth in the realm of communication.