2.1 Interpersonal Communication
Communication occurring between two people whether it is in person or via technology is interpersonal communication. In other words, the exchange of nonverbal and/or verbal messages between two people is interpersonal communication (Guerrero et al., 2021, p. 2). Engineering and science students need knowledge and skills in interpersonal communication considering they are required to consistently communicate with team members, colleagues, and managers (Ford et al., 2021). This section discusses the six principles of interpersonal communication offered by professors Guerrero, Anderson, and Afifi, which will help us understand its importance in the workplace.
The first principle is interpersonal communication includes verbal and non-verbal messages people exchange via different channels. For example, you might interact with co-workers in person, or on Slack. You may also email colleagues and clients and have meetings via Microsoft Teams or Zoom. During these meetings you not only listen to what co-workers are saying but also pay attention to their facial expressions, tone of voice, inflection, and clothes they wear.
The second principle is that one cannot not communicate in face-to-face settings. If a colleague and you notice each other, you will draw meaning based on an action or lack of action on each other’s part. For example, if you both see each other at two ends of a hallway and you decide not to acknowledge your colleague, but they wave at you, your colleague might interpret this action as being “ignored.”
The third principle is that people use interpersonal communication to fulfill goals. Although we may not always have an “agenda” when we communicate, people do use communication to manage impressions, build relationships, and accomplish tasks. Managing impressions is tied to the image we want to convey. Perhaps you want co-workers and your boss to perceive you as being professional and hard-working. How we communicate with colleagues affects the type of relationships you want to have with them. For example, you may want to be “friendly” but not best friends with colleagues. To meet this goal, you may occasionally chat with them but not hang out socially with them. Finally, we often meet task goals by requesting a supervisor to recommend us for a promotion or asking to be placed alongside a senior colleague on a certain project so you can learn from them.
The fourth principle is that interpersonal communication varies in effectiveness. When people achieve shared meaning or when they are on the same page, communication is most effective. However, there is room for attempted communication, miscommunication, misinterpretation, and accidental communication.
When a person sends a message with intention and the receiver fails to interpret, attempted communication has occurred. For instance, you email your vacation request to your supervisor and a week later realize you have been scheduled to meet with a new client the week you had wanted time off. You may have submitted the vacation request on time but somehow it got delayed in delivery due to technology, accidental placement in junk mail or simply not read by the recipient just yet. Delayed communication in this scenario can make it seem as if your request is too last-minute to your supervisor. In addition, it may seem as if you are not interested in working with the new client.
When a person sends a message with intention and it is interpreted inaccurately, miscommunication has taken place. Outside of the United States, many countries list their dates by listing the smallest time to a longer time period (dd/mm/yyyy). In the U.S. we most often list the month first (mm/dd/yyyy). This small difference can cause problems with contracts, expiration dates, and project extension requests.
Misinterpretation and accidental communication occur when a person sends a message without intention, and it is interpreted inaccurately and interpreted accurately respectively. If your vehicle has a flat tire because of which you get late to work and perform poorly during a client pitch, and your co-worker thinks you do not like working with them, a misinterpretation has occurred. When both you and your friend go up for promotion, only you earn it, and they see you fist bump another colleague when you did not mean for them to see your happy reaction, this is an example of accidental communication.
The fifth principle of interpersonal communication is that messages have a content and relational level of meaning. People often consider how something is being said (the tone of voice, word choice, eye-contact etc.), and the situation when interpreting “what” is being said. For example, when working in teams via Zoom or other digital channel, it may be easier to miss that one of your teammates is currently nervous since you are unable to see their lower body. Fidgeting or shaking their leg would give you the idea that the person may be uncomfortable. In person, you may gain a better understanding of an individual’s gestures and presence. In addition, the messaging often reflects the relationship people have or hope to have with other people. If you have a history with the teammate who gets nervous on Zoom when presenting, you might check in with them on IM to show your support or say or text “nice presentation,” to boost their self-esteem.
The sixth principle is that interpersonal communication can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. People use a range of relational messages often depending upon the power a person brings to the interaction. Symmetrical communication often involves people matching each other’s messages, for example, Jessica tells her co-worker Paul “Do proofread the document by the end of the day,” to which Paul replies, “No can do because I am working on XYZ project.” If you are introduced to a new colleague and they extend their hand, if you shake their hand, it is symmetrical communication.
Asymmetrical communication occurs when there is a mismatch verbally and/or nonverbally. If Jessica tells her co-worker Paul “Do proofread the document by the end of the day,” to which Paul responds, “ Sure, thing,” this exchange would be considered asymmetrical because Jessica’s dominant message is met with Paul’s submissiveness. In addition to verbal messages, nonverbal asymmetry is also present when people communicate. Hannah maintains eye contact when talking, but not Priya who may be from a culture where people do a lot of face saving and it might be considered rude to stare.
