What is interpersonal intelligence

Interpersonal Intelligence: What is it and how to improve it?

The Interpersonal intelligence Is the capacity that the human being has to relate and communicate with those around him. It is one of the eight multiple intelligences That establishes the American psychologist Howard Gardner In his theory. This classification breaks with the unitary concept of intelligence.

From that moment on, the only intelligence is no longer considered as mathematical or academic success, and other forms of talent are established, related to one’s feelings, to personal relationships, to sport and other contexts in which the human being.

Interpersonal intelligence is fundamental to intuit how they feel or what mood are the people in your environment. It is an essential faculty for some professions, especially those that are exercised to the public, such as commercial. As well as for relationships of an intimate or personal nature.

In this article you can go deeper into the concept of interpersonal intelligence and you will discover some tips to improve it, which will be very useful both in your personal and professional life.

The concept of interpersonal intelligence

Interpersonal intelligence is one of two modes of thinking of a personal nature that distinguishes the American psychologist.

Howard Gardner, in his book Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century Defines interpersonal intelligence as»a person’s ability to understand the intentions, motivations and desires of other people and, consequently, to work effectively with others.»

Some professions require very acute and developed interpersonal intelligence to perform the tasks associated with those jobs. Some of these professions are commercials, professors, doctors or clinical staff, political or other leaders, for example religious and actors. In all of them, you have to deal with many different people.

According to Gardner himself, his definition of intelligence is closely related to the effect that the individual himself has on others. From this importance given to the interrelationship between human beings, interpersonal understanding is born.

Interpersonal intelligence in the biological field

This part of the cerebral cortex Is responsible for the executive functions, that is, those responsible for human behavior.

In fact, as the American psychologist also states in his book, damages in this area of ​​the brain Can produce changes in personality, some of them irreversible.

The biological origin of interpersonal intelligence is fundamental to understand it better.

Finally, Gardner discusses two essential biological factors that substantially affect the development of interpersonal thinking and differentiate humans from animals, although some are already flourishing in some mammals such as primates.

One is the emotional attachment to the mother or the mother. The other factor is the importance that man gives to social interaction, an element already used by prehistoric societies for tasks such as hunting that required a team and that is the origin of the organizational needs and cohesion and group that have humans.

Interpersonal Intelligence vs Emotional Intelligence

Gardner’s concept of interpersonal intelligence is very similar to that of Emotional intelligence Which defines the psychologist and scientific journalist Daniel Goleman.

However, the main difference that Gardner points out is that Goleman sets aside the academic scope of intelligence to focus on other aspects such as values ​​and social policy.

11 Tips to Improve Interpersonal Intelligence

As Howard Gardner explains in his theory of multiple intelligences, they do not occur independently but usually manifest themselves together and are present in all human beings, although it may be diminished in certain people by brain damage such as Mentioned in the previous section.

Social skills are not only necessary for the performance of much of the professional work, more if these are given to the public, but you have to know how to handle them well to behave and behave appropriately in a group.

A good interpersonal intelligence can help you to find out the desires or feelings Of the people in your environment, even when they try to hide it.

The tips outlined below will help you improve your interpersonal intelligence to better perform your job or simply to relate well to the people around you.

1- Active listening to others

Listening attentively to other people is the best way to know their concerns, desires and feelings.

According to authors Melvin L. Silberman and Freda Hansburg in the book People Smart: Developing Your Interpersonal Intelligence, Understanding others has a great impact on the success of the communication and on the sender, as well as on the influences that it exerts on its interlocutor.

Listening is discovered many aspects that are not known of the other person. If you listen carefully to someone, you can prevent certain behaviors, by going ahead of them and acting in a coherent way to surprise your interlocutor.

2- Behave empathetically

3- Pay attention to non-verbal communication

In addition to spoken language, you should notice the gestures or body movements that the other person performs.

Non-verbal communication can convey feelings or a state of humor that your interlocutor is trying to hide.

For example, if he tells you that he is fine but his face is serious and looks away, it can be a clear sign that something is not right.

4- Express yourself clearly

In interpersonal intelligence are so important emotions And the needs of others, like your own.

Expressing yourself in a clear and concise manner will facilitate the understanding of the people around you.

Establish what your needs and goals are, they will make you understand to others who you are and what you want in life.

In this sense, it is very important to point out that in order to improve interpersonal intelligence, we must not stop being oneself. According to Silberman and Hansburg, if they do not say things and only insinuate themselves, it gives rise to disappointment and frustration.

Take the example of a group project in which the leader does not make clear the tasks, only gives certain clues and each member interprets these guidelines in their own way resulting in the lack of coordination and failure to achieve the established objectives. Clearly, in this situation will create a conflict between one and another.

6- Give and receive feedback

Give Feedback While talking to someone, will make him understand that you listen carefully and that you are interested in what he is telling you.

Feedback should be consistent, concrete and try to be useful.

You should also encourage feedback in relation to what you say to know what that person thinks and not make your own ideas in the head.

It is important to get this feedback, a previous active listening and give the other person time to organize their ideas and thoughts.

7- Learn to solve conflicts

The ability to resolve conflicts is a sign of good interpersonal intelligence. In fact, those who work the most are exceptional moderators in that resolution.

In this section, you will learn three keys that will help you put an end to conflicts or quarrels with a person or a group of people in an easy and concise way:

— Listen actively to parties or possible parties to the conflict. Staying attentive to what they say, not only serves to resolve this tension when it has already given but also to prevent it. Most of the fights or tensions between people are due to a lack of communication.

— Make it clear. Specifying your point of view from the outset can avoid many misunderstandings.

— Keep calm. A conflict is usually a situation where the spirits and tensions are in full bloom. In order not to contribute to this climate of worry and tension, the most important thing is to stay calm.

9- Take time to socialize

There is no better way to improve interpersonal intelligence than to relate to many people.

It is important that you dedicate time to your family and friends, but also that you meet new people, even from another culture.

This will help you to open your mind, to better control your emotions in relationships and to understand in a much clearer way to others.

Activities to work with interpersonal intelligence

In addition to these tips, there are other activities that can help you improve your social skills such as joining a volunteer.

According to Howard Gardner in Intelligence in Seven Steps (1996), interpersonal intelligence must be exercised through cooperative games, participating in group projects and discussions, reading books and using materials from different cultures, or practicing theater and other group role plays.

Other activities that will help you to progress in the field of interpersonal intelligence are the fact of offering you to positions of responsibility in your work or in other areas, since these will make you focus more on the people you are addressing.

Aspects that may be negative for interpersonal intelligence

There are brain damage and other elements that are detrimental to the proper development of social skills.

In addition to mental disorders that directly affect the frontal cortex, such as Pick’s disease, mentioned above, there are other diseases that can decrease interpersonal intelligence. Some of them are:

Autism

This disorder of neuronal origin is characterized, among other symptoms, by deficient social behaviors. Autistic people often have difficulty following conversations, they do not know how to behave according to culturally established norms. They may also have communication problems. All this makes it difficult to establish friendly relations with other humans.

Anxiety disorders Or depression

Anxiety or a state of depression They can also make it difficult to use adequate interpersonal intelligence.

Depressive or anxious people have problems relating, in most cases because of the lack of interest caused by the same lack of appetite that these disorders generate.

Alcohol damages The prefrontal area of ​​the cerebral cortex, directly responsible for the behavior.

Interpersonal intelligence: characteristics, examples, activities

Video: Interpersonal intelligence: characteristics, examples, activities

Content:

TheInterpersonal intelligenceIt is one of the 9 possible types of intelligence described by Howard Gardner in 1983. This ability has to do with the ability of an individual to relate correctly with other people, understand their motives, emotions and actions, and adequately communicate what they need to convey.

As with the rest of the capacities described in the theory of multiple intelligences, for Howard Gardner, individuals would be born with a certain level of interpersonal intelligence that would be different for each one. However, it would also be possible to strengthen this ability through practice, and our environment may also influence its development.

Generally, individuals with interpersonal intelligence have a great interest in the people around them. They tend to have good social skills, and can easily decipher both verbal and non-verbal messages and deliver them correctly as well. They also usually have emotional skills such as compassion and empathy.

According to some research, interpersonal intelligence tends to be more present in extroverts. Introverts often have less developed this type of intelligence, although it is possible that both are present together in all types of individuals.

Characteristics of interpersonal intelligence

Individuals with a good level of interpersonal intelligence tend to have a number of common characteristics. Next we will see which are the most important.

— Good verbal and non-verbal communication

One of the most important characteristics of people with good interpersonal intelligence is that they have the ability to convey messages adequately both verbally and non-verbally. At the same time, they also understand more easily what others want to say to them.

The fact of having good communication skills usually implies that the people around them perceive them as charismatic and sociable. In most cases, those with interpersonal intelligence are usually extroverts, although they may also enjoy the time they spend alone.

— Ability to empathize

In most cases, individuals with good interpersonal intelligence are not only capable of correctly understanding the messages they receive: they also have a greater facility than normal to understand the mental and emotional states behind them.

This implies that most of these people have a great capacity for empathy; that is, the ability to put oneself in the shoes of others, understand their points of view and understand the emotions they are experiencing at all times. Again, this helps them improve their personal relationships and be able to connect with other individuals.

— Good social skills

Generally, people with high levels of interpersonal intelligence are able to establish new relationships more easily than usual. This implies that even when they are in an unfamiliar context, they can generate connections with the people around them without causing a serious problem.

At the same time, the relationships that they are able to create through their social skills tend to be deeper and more enduring than other people’s. This is because they have a greater ability to understand what each interaction needs and are able to deliver it to you.

— Leadership

Although it does not happen in all cases, on many occasions people with good social intelligence also have leadership skills that are higher than normal. As a consequence, they tend to end up working in positions of responsibility and to take initiative in group contexts, even when they meet other individuals they do not know well.

On the other hand, their social and leadership skills allow them to resolve conflicts that can appear in all kinds of group contexts. Due to this, on many occasions they also act as mediators, a role that they easily fulfill by being able to understand the points of view of all the parties involved.

Examples of interpersonal intelligence

Interpersonal intelligence has a large number of practical applications both in our day to day and in different specific situations. Next we will see some examples in which it is necessary to use it to finish clarifying this concept.

In a psychological therapy

One of the professions in which interpersonal intelligence is most necessary is in the field of psychological therapy. Professionals in this field have to be able to listen to their clients, extract the meaning of their messages without interfering with their own prejudices, and clearly communicate the steps they must take to improve their mental state.

In a class

A good teacher also has to use interpersonal intelligence to get his students to achieve good results. During your classes, you need to put yourself in the shoes of each student to understand what their blocks are and develop personalized strategies for each of them, something impossible to achieve without this ability.

In a couple

The sphere of the couple is undoubtedly one of those that benefits the most from a good level of interpersonal intelligence. Living with another person in a harmonious way requires large doses of communication, empathy, conflict resolution skills and other skills that people with this ability acquire more easily.

Activities to develop interpersonal intelligence

Although it is true that each individual is born with different levels of interpersonal intelligence, the reality is that there are many ways to develop it. Below we will see several activities that can help us in this regard.

— Practice empathy

Empathy is one of the most important skills within interpersonal intelligence. If you want to improve this ability, whenever you have a conflict or hear an opinion that is very strange to you, try to try to put yourself in the other person’s place.

To do this, ask yourself what can lead someone to think the way your interlocutor does. What may you be feeling right now? What thoughts go through your head to act as you do?

— Master active listening

For many experts, active listening is one of the most basic components of interpersonal intelligence. This skill is not very common in most people, but the good news is that it is very easy to practice.

To develop this tool you will only have to change the approach you take in your conversations. Instead of thinking about what you want to say when the other person is finished, try to focus completely on what they are saying without judging them. Whenever thoughts come to you about what you are hearing, push them away and return your attention to the present.

— Practice your social skills

On many occasions the busyness of our lives prevents us from connecting with others as much as we would like. Luckily, changing this is something that is in your hands. If you want to practice your interpersonal intelligence, there is nothing better than putting yourself in situations where you have to interact with other people.

Therefore, do not be afraid to sign up for group classes, to reconnect with old acquaintances whom you have not seen for a long time, or even to try to find people with the same interests on the Internet.

Teaching Students Identified with Interpersonal Intelligence

Can you pick out the student who gets along with everyone in the class? When it comes to group work, do you know which student you pick to work well with others to complete the assignment?

If you can identify that student, then you already know a student who displays the characteristics of interpersonal intelligence. You have seen evidence that this student is able to discern the moods, the feelings, and the motivations of others.

Interpersonal intelligence is one of Howard Gardner’s nine multiple intelligences, and this intelligence refers to how skillful an individual is in understanding and dealing with others. They are skilled at managing relationships and negotiating conflict. There are some professions that are a natural fit for people with interpersonal intelligence: politicians, teachers, therapists, diplomats, negotiators, and salesmen.

Ability to Relate to Others

You wouldn’t think that Anne Sullivan—who taught Helen Keller—would be Gardner’s example of an interpersonal genius. But, she is precisely the example Gardner uses to illustrate this intelligence. «With little formal training in special education and nearly blind herself, Anne Sullivan began the formidable task of instructing a blind and deaf seven-year-old,» Gardner writes in his 2006 book, «Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons in Theory and Practice.»

Sullivan’s showed great interpersonal intelligence in dealing with Keller and all of her profound disabilities, as well as Keller’s doubting family. «Interpersonal intelligence builds on a core capacity to notice distinctions among others—in particular, contrasts in their moods, temperaments, motivations, and intuitions,» Gardner says. With Sullivan’s help, Keller became a leading 20th-century author, lecturer, and activist. «In more advanced forms, this intelligence permits a skilled adult to read the intentions and desire of others even when they have been hidden.»

Famous People With High Interpersonal Intelligence

Gardner uses other examples of people who are socially adept are among those with high interpersonal intelligence, such as:

Some might call these social skills; Gardner insists that the ability to excel socially is actually an intelligence. Regardless, these individuals have excelled due almost entirely to their social skills.

Enhancing Interpersonal Intelligence

Students with this type of intelligence can bring a range of skill sets the classroom, including:

Teachers can help these students showcase their interpersonal intelligence by using some specific activities. Some examples include:

Teachers can develop a variety of activities that allow these students with interpersonal skills to interact with others and to practice their listening skills. Since these students are natural communicators, such activities will help them enhance their own communication skills and also allow them to model these skills for other students.

Their ability to both give and receive feedback is important to the classroom environment, in particular in classrooms where teachers would like students to share their different perspectives. These students with interpersonal intelligence can be helpful in group work, especially when students are required to delegate roles and meet responsibilities. Their ability to manage relationships can be leveraged especially when their skill set may be needed to resolve differences. Finally, these students with interpersonal intelligence will naturally support and encourage others to take academic risks when given the chance.

Finally, teachers should take advantage of every opportunity in order to model appropriate social behavior themselves. Teachers should practice to improve their own interpersonal skills and give students the opportunity to a practice as well. In preparing students for their experiences beyond the classroom, interpersonal skills are a top priority.

What is interpersonal intelligence? With Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence, Its 9-Types, Importance, Development And Examples

We explain what interpersonal intelligence is according to the theory of Multiple Intelligences, its characteristics, types, importance and examples. Lets Read… what is interpersonal intelligence

What is interpersonal intelligence?

Thus, interpersonal intelligence distinguishes itself in its specific characteristics from other types of intelligence, such as linguistic-verbal, logical-mathematical, spatial or visual, musical, kinesthetic, naturalistic and intrapersonal. definition of interpersonal intelligence

Characteristics of interpersonal Intelligence what is interpersonal intelligence

Recognize feelings of others, provide the appropriate response, lead groups or even discover hidden intentions, are part of the capabilities that this type of intelligence entails.

Interpersonal intelligence test

Examples of interpersonal intelligence

They are good examples of this type of intelligence:

How to develop interpersonal intelligence what is interpersonal intelligence

Interpersonal intelligence is of vital importance for the construction and maintenance of social ties, as well as to function competently in society. Therefore, it is important to stimulate this intelligence on a day-to-day basis, but how to develop interpersonal intelligence? Here we explain a series of activities to develop interpersonal intelligence: definition of interpersonal intelligence

This type of intelligence was identified in the ” Theory of multiple intelligences” by the American psychologist Howard Gadner at Harvard University. Gadner, along with several collaborators, realized that academic intelligence (which refers to obtaining degrees and a good academic record) is not a decisive factor in assessing a person’s intelligence.

Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences what is interpersonal intelligence

Intelligence is the ability to solve life problems, generate new problems to solve, develop products, offer a service of value in a community or cultural context.

Gardner’s 9 intelligences Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence

He identified 9 types of intelligence in human beings, each of which function quite independently (we do not have a single computer, but several computers):

Next, we will know each of the intelligences established by Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences:

Gardner, on his last visit to Spain to receive the Prince of Asturias Award, told us that he is continuing to investigate and that he could identify up to 3-4 more intelligences. In his acceptance speech as Doctor Honoris Causa of the Camilo José Cela University, he spoke of at least one more: the Psychopedagogical intelligence of teachers and professors. Studies are showing that when young children have to teach something to others of different ages, some are able to adapt their speech and teaching method to the age of their audience, while others are not. It is probable that there is also a PSYCHOPEDAGOGICAL Intelligence. Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence

Key points in the theory of multiple intelligences Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence

To correctly interpret Gardner’s theory, it is important to take into account a number of premises: Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence

How do you learn to be smarter?

In the family, from the time our children are small, we must begin to enhance all intelligences. We will be checking in which of them each of our children is faster in learning, in acquiring skill and that will fill us with clues regarding their profile and should lead us to place special emphasis on enhancing those in which they handle with less ease, then, as we saw before, in a normal situation, all people can reach an adequate level in the 9 intelligences, as long as they are stimulated adequately and sufficiently. For this, parents must be aware of these mechanisms that Gardner himself indicated in his work when learning to be more intelligent:

There are 3 factors that determine whether or not intelligences develop:

Activators or deactivators of intelligence: crystallizing experiences or paralyzing experiences are two key processes in the development of intelligence. They are related to those situations that may have occurred at any moment in people’s lives, but that mark a skill in their development that they were unaware of possessing:

Other environmental influences that also promote or retard the development of intelligence:

Knowing what type of intelligence each one possesses and promoting it correctly allows:

Summary for the most visual

Throughout this section, we have been showing tubes of different colors representing each of the intelligences. If we put all these tubes together, we would get the following drawing:

Do you know yourself well enough to see which tubes you fill the most? Do you dare to fill in yours?

Basically, it starts from the idea that there is no single intelligence, but nine types of intelligences that are the following:

intrapersonal intelligence example

Difference Between Interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence

Both intelligences are part of Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Both are of a social nature and are related to emotions. However, they encompass different capabilities and goals. What are the differences between interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence? The interpersonal intelligence refers to and social skills for interactions with other personas.En change, the intrapersonal intelligence refers to the capabilities and skills have to relate to yourself or same. Therefore, interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand other people and act consistently, while intrapersonal intelligence is the ability to understand and listen to oneself, know one’s own weaknesses and strengths, and act accordingly. self-knowledge. Both intelligences are necessary and important for a quality and more satisfying emotional life.

More intrapersonal intelligence example

Interpersonal intelligence has a large number of practical applications both in our day to day and in different specific situations. Next we will see some examples in which it is necessary to use it to finish clarifying this concept.

In a psychological therapy

One of the professions in which interpersonal intelligence is most necessary is in the field of psychological therapy. Professionals in this field have to be able to listen to their clients, extract the meaning of their messages without interfering with their own prejudices, and clearly communicate the steps they must take to improve their mental state.

In a class intrapersonal intelligence example

A good teacher also has to use interpersonal intelligence to get his students to achieve good results. During your classes, you need to put yourself in the shoes of each student to understand what their blocks are and develop personalized strategies for each of them, something impossible to achieve without this ability. what is interpersonal intelligence

In a couple intrapersonal intelligence example

The sphere of the couple is undoubtedly one of those that benefits the most from a good level of interpersonal intelligence. Living with another person in a harmonious way requires large doses of communication, empathy, conflict resolution skills and other skills that people with this ability acquire more easily.

The importance of the theory of multiple intelligences in ADHD

Gardner postulates that intelligence is not something unitary, but rather that the concept of “intelligence” groups together different specific capacities, that is, a set of multiple, distinct, differentiated and independent but interrelated intelligences. what is interpersonal intelligence

The Basic Principles of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences are:

This model of cognitive functioning would imply that the same subject could present different levels and performances in different areas and that a person could be very skilled in a specific field if it is empowered and trained.

Gardner (1996) pointed out that the traditional school is focused on the development of grouped knowledge in the area of ​​language, phonological processing and logical-mathematical reasoning and it is forgotten that information can be instructed and processed through different channels such as: learning sensory, musical learning, modeling learning, learning based on social interaction, learning through sensory stimulus pathways, self-knowledge, etc. Therefore, those students with difficulties in the area of ​​language, literacy or logical-numerical reasoning would have more difficulties in achieving global learning through these traditional teaching methods.

At present, this perspective of multiple processes is appreciated as a sustainable pedagogical model of innovation within the new currents of educational psychology.

This pedagogical conceptualization helps students to reflect on their learning processes, to generate changes and to lose their fear of discovering new learning environments, which is a great boost in the school pedagogical approach of students with Attention Deficit Disorder and Hyperactivity (ADHD) who present specific difficulties in the areas of language, the capacity for abstraction and mathematical reasoning (Crespo and Narbona, 2009).

In addition to Armstrong, other authors defend this pedagogical approach, especially for students with ADHD. The future of school and of psychotherapeutic interventions with children who present learning difficulties or ADHD, must focus on the peculiarities of the student, assess the different specific and technical abilities that these children present, in order to to be able to compensate and strengthen cognitive difficulties through processing models according to their profiles, thus balancing the most problematic areas with those areas that they dominate and defend, being able to develop their innate capacities to the maximum and setting goals according to increasing their skills innate and making the most of their strengths, whether they are creativity, body expressiveness, music, what is interpersonal intelligence

If the child is allowed to focus on the strengths of their intellectual abilities, they are being motivated and offered possibilities to learn in the best way that children learn best and this is essential in children and adolescents with ADHD.

This article is merely informative, We do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

What Is Interpersonal Intelligence and How to Develop It?

How well developed is your interpersonal intelligence—and are you able to use it to help solve conflicts? We’ve got three tips to help you supercharge your own interpersonal intelligence to help improve your empathy, insight, and communication skills.

Interpersonal intelligence is a skill we all possess. The question is: how well developed is your interpersonal intelligence — and are you able to use it to help solve conflicts?

We’ll explore Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences to learn how interpersonal intelligence works. Then, we’ve got three tips to help you supercharge your own interpersonal intelligence to help improve your empathy, insight, and communication skills.

What Is Gardner’s Interpersonal Intelligence?

For far too long, intelligence had been measured by way of IQ points and other standardized tests. And Gardner just didn’t think the traditional methods of measuring intelligence were cutting it.

What is interpersonal intelligence?

Definition of interpersonal

Interpersonal (‘inter’ – ‘between’) – refers to communication or interaction that occurs between people.

So, interpersonal intelligence is the ability to effectively communicate with others. It relates to a person’s talent for relating to and understanding the motives and actions of others.

People with interpersonal intelligence are highly interested in those around them. They’re often compassionate, empathetic, and are adept at deciphering both verbal and non-verbal communication.

What is intrapersonal intelligence?

Individuals with intrapersonal intelligence thrive in careers as psychologists, counselors, psychologists, and spiritual leaders.

What Are the 7 Types of Intelligence?

Besides interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence, what other forms of intelligence does Gardner’s theory include?

The 7 core types of intelligence Gardner proposed were:

How Do You Develop Interpersonal Intelligence?

Strengthening and supporting your interpersonal intelligence can help you become an excellent communicator. You’ll be able to connect with others on a deeper and more profound level.

And don’t be surprised if your boss takes notice and throws a leadership role your way. The benefits of improved interpersonal intelligence are boundless.

Here are three key strategies for improving your interpersonal intelligence.

1. Practice empathy

One of the best ways to improve your interpersonal intelligence is by practicing empathy. Simply put: practice putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.

Put yourself in someone else’s shoes and you’ll be able to appreciate who they are and what they’re dealing with on a deeper and more intimate level.

2. Become an active listener

Active listening is a huge component of interpersonal intelligence. Becoming an active listener means acknowledging when someone else has the floor. It means showing that you’re attentive, receptive, and respectful.

The next time you’re chatting with a coworker or family member, try practicing active listening by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and most important: not interrupting.

Too often, we’re so eager to interject our own two cents that we’re not really paying attention to what’s being said to us. In the next conversation you have, do your best not to interrupt and let the speaker know you’re really and truly hearing what they have to say.

3. Be an active member of the team

In our daily lives, we participate in all sorts of teams. Maybe you’re part of a work team. Perhaps you play a sport or hobby. Even our families are a type of team.

Being an active team member goes beyond the fulfillment of your basic duties. A real team player cares about the performance of the entire team, not just their own.

Here are a few strategies for becoming a more active team member :

All these strategies can help you improve your interpersonal skills. And the more you use them, the more you’ll benefit!