What is Interpersonal Awareness?
Interpersonal awareness means really tuning in to the people around us. It’s not just about hearing their words, but also sensing how they’re feeling and what they might be trying to communicate beyond the surface. It’s like having a good read on someone’s mood or needs even before they say anything. In simple terms, it’s about being super aware and understanding of others in our everyday interactions.
As you develop a greater degree of self-awareness, you will also become more aware of the dynamics at play in your interactions with others. However, this awareness doesn’t always go two-ways. When you have a greater awareness of thinking, learning, and personality styles, you also have a responsibility to be more adaptable in your interactions with others.
Addressing Different Thinking Styles
People who share the same thinking styles often have no problems working together. If both people are global thinkers then they will appreciate each other’s willingness to see the bigger picture. However when one person thinks differently from another, this different thinking style can not only seem foreign but irrelevant. However, these differences in thinking styles can, with the right approach, complement each other. While you may be aware of your thinking style, the people you interact with might not be as aware of theirs. A subtle way of intervening is to try to accommodate different styles of thinking when you interact with others. If you are a global thinker and find yourself at odds with someone who doesn’t understand why you can’t just give them a specific step by step plan, this is your opportunity to step beyond your limitations and try a more linear thinking style.Â
Addressing Different Learning Styles
One side effect of deepening your own self-awareness is that you might often find yourself in a position of leadership where you have to teach others or give presentations, which is a kind of teaching when you consider it. If you are an auditory learner, take steps to design presentations and seminars that accommodate other types of learning. Use power-point and other visual aids to help visual learners, and find activities that allow tactile learners an opportunity to learn by doing, even as you accommodate your own auditory learning style through spoken instructions and explanations. One way to make sure you are accommodating the different learning styles is to video record your presentations before when you practice and during the presentation itself. This way you can study for areas where you are strong and for areas where you can improve.Â
Active Listening and Body Language
Another important factor in being aware of your interactions with others is being able to listen and to truly hear others. Employing the techniques of active listening can help, but these are not simply tricks. In order to be effective with others, you must be truly interested in their point of view.
In addition to being aware of a person’s speech, you also need to be aware of both their body language and your own. Typically, when there is a discrepancy between the words that are said and a person’s tone and body language, the latter will more accurately reflect the circumstances.
Transactional Analysis
Transactional analysis is a way of interacting with others where you can recognize certain behavioral patterns in another person and by adjusting your behavior you can induce a change in the other person’s as well.Â
Examples of Interpersonal Awareness:
Meeting a New Colleague:
Imagine you’re introduced to a new colleague at work. Interpersonal awareness would involve noticing their body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice to gauge how they’re feeling about the introduction. If they seem nervous or reserved, you might adjust your approach to make them feel more comfortable, perhaps by offering a friendly smile, a welcoming gesture, or initiating a casual conversation to break the ice.
Giving Feedback:
Providing feedback to a colleague requires sensitivity and awareness of their emotions. Instead of delivering feedback bluntly, you might approach the conversation with empathy, acknowledging their efforts and strengths before addressing areas for improvement. By showing understanding and respect for their perspective, you create a supportive environment for growth and development.
Networking Event:
At a networking event, interpersonal awareness helps you navigate social interactions effectively. You might observe the body language and conversational cues of others to assess their level of interest or engagement. If you notice someone feeling left out or uncomfortable, you could approach them, initiate a conversation, and make them feel included. By demonstrating empathy and attentiveness, you can build meaningful connections with others at the event.
This post on Interpersonal Awareness is from April’s topic on Improving Self-Awareness, which is also a course on our Executive Mini-MBA program online from Harvard Square.