Chapter 8: Interpersonal Skills
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter the student will be able to:
- Define interpersonal skills
- Explain the difference in between interpersonal and effective communication
- Describe approaches for adaptability
- Identify strategies to improve your emotional intelligence
Terms to Know
Emotional intelligence – The ability to recognize and manage your emotions.
Empathy – The ability to understand others’ perspectives and situations.
Humility – The ability to see yourself honestly in interactions and situations.
Optimism – The ability to have a positive future outlook.
Self-awareness – The ability to recognize your strengths and weaknesses.
Self-efficacy – Belief in self and advocacy for self.
Case Study: Pat (She/Her) Prepares for a Collaborative Work Term
Pat wants to give back to her community and honour her mother’s career by working with adults with physical and mental disabilities. She is looking forward to her WIL placement. She will be acting as a student assistant for Connect the North. It is a non profit organization that provides social and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. Her new boss Sandra describes the workplace as a high-energy, fast-paced work environment where collaboration and teamwork are constant. Pat will help plan programming with several counsellors and then support the delivery of various programs with clients. Pat has done quite a bit of group work in her program this past semester and feels ready to participate. At the same time, she is nervous about working exclusively with adults with more experience and education than she has. She is worried that she will make too many mistakes, or that she won’t have enough ideas to add to discussions. How will she contribute best to the team and with her clients?
The ability to recognize and manage your emotions.
The ability to understand others’ perspectives and situations.
The ability to see yourself honestly in interactions and situations.
The ability to have a positive future outlook.
The ability to recognize your strengths and weaknesses.
Belief in self and advocacy for self.
