A significant term of the 20th century is "communication" and it will probably retain its significance during the next century. In developed countries it became a topic that took a place among other courses at universities. Moreover, some scholars and experts see it as a new branch of Social Sciences. In today's socio-economic situation there are a lot of large well-organized groups, including business firms, that perceive and comprehend the importance of communication, especially the interpersonal communication needed to provide good service.
We as the individuals also should know what communication is and how we can benefit from it. First of all, we should know the definition of interpersonal communication - it is basically the communication between two or a few connected individuals. It is something that you do every day as you make friends, ask for a date, apply for a job, and respond to a compliment. I have to mention that interpersonal communication is an extremely practical art, if you want to learn more about it and how to do it better, you should take an interpersonal communications course.
Interpersonal communications is a broad topic so I am going to focus on the most daily and useful parts of it. The first part is being an effective listener and the message is the second.
All human beings want to be loved and liked, and in turn love and like others. To achieve this goal, there is a simple but a powerful tactic: learn to listen with empathy. Listen to your friends carefully and enthusiastically, try to understand their feelings, and share their problems and beliefs, whatever they may be. While you listen them, look into their eyes. Console and encourage them. Ask some questions related to their concerns. You will see that a little intimate interest help you to win their hearts.
The second concept involves the message you send. It consists of two main points - vocality and body. Vocality involves your tone of voice, your words, and how quickly you talk. Body involves posture, your external features (clothes, hairstyle etc.). By changing these aspects of your appearance and speech, you create different images that can be used to project various attitudes, such as self-confidence or authority.
If this short discussion has captured your attention, you can learn more right here at Bilkent by taking a course by Süheyla Pınar. Try it, you'll learn a lot more about interpersonal communication!
(A. H. Erdoğan PA-II)
