Reflection:

Student’s name

Instructor

Course

Date

Interpersonal Skills in Organizations

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Interpersonal Skills in Organizations

Interpersonal skills are the skills that are employed in day to day activities when persons associate and interact with each other whether independently or as a group of individuals. Interpersonal skills are important in both personal and professional settings as human beings are in constant interaction and most are centered on communication, both verbal and non-verbal (De Janasz, Dowd, & Schneider, 2018). Interpersonal skills also require active knowledge of human emotion, personal and otherwise, as well as an appreciation of means and approaches to the management of other people’s emotions. Individuals with good interpersonal skills are able to effectively communicate with family, friends, colleagues, customers or clients (De Janasz, Dowd, & Schneider, 2018).

The case scenario provides that Corey has been acting notably differently from his previous group work assignments but seems to be uninterested and distracted in the current group work assignment. His input is lacking because of this and he has become uptight and frenetic during group interactions and this is affecting the group work’s outcome. Corey’s involvement in the group is also marked with late appearances and early departures from group meetings. As a member of the group, I’m confused by Corey’s behaviors as they are novel in comparison to previous projects in which we have collaborated. I am also frustrated by the impact of Corey’s actions and his current demeanor to the outcome because it whittles down the other member’s inputs.

The situation could be handled in many different ways and methods that rely on application of proper interpersonal skills are most appropriate. Emotional intelligence is the ability to manage and comprehend one’s own and other’s emotions (De Janasz, Dowd, & Schneider, 2018). With this skill, an identification of the changes in Corey’s attitude and new behavioral tendencies would allow me to not only confront Corey amicably but also to exercise empathy in understanding and findings ways to help Corey (De Janasz, Dowd, & Schneider, 2018). Problem solving and decision making is also an applicable interpersonal skill that would allow Corey and I, and even other members of the group to aide Corey find the best course of action to settle any issue he may be facing in his life away from the group activities which may be causing the changes in his attitude and behavior (De Janasz, Dowd, & Schneider, 2018). This would call for communicative methods that take a mellow tone and approach with application of negotiation, persuasion and influencing skills. Methods that would lead to aggressive confrontations are not advisable as they may cause Corey to retaliate, leave the group or far more detrimental measures (De Janasz, Dowd, & Schneider, 2018). Assuming knowledge of the ability to look past whatever issues are causing his behavior would also be detrimental.

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References De Janasz, S., Dowd, K., & Schneider, B. (2018). Interpersonal skills in organizations (6 ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

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