Skills

Abstract

Whether individuals work in for‐profit organizations, nonprofit agencies, government offices, or international corporations, effective interpersonal skills are crucial. Interpersonal communication focuses on the interactions between people, and involves the continuous, complex, and collaborative process of making meaning, whether it be face to face, over the telephone, via email, or through other mediated channels. The most effective organizational members are those who are skilled interpersonal communicators. In this entry, an overview is provided of the interpersonal communication skills considered to be most important in an organizational context. These include the ability to communicate with superiors and subordinates, listen well, provide feedback and social support to coworkers, conduct interviews, understand the nuances of nonverbal communication, and manage workplace conflict.