When you interact with someone, you’re essentially using your interpersonal skills. These skills have been a part of your life for as long as you can remember, and you’ve had varying levels of success with them. Sometimes, it’s effortless to connect with others and convey your message effectively. Other times, you might feel like a stranger from another world, unintentionally sending signals that you struggle to communicate. If terms like “awkward”, “out of control”, or “totally lost” come to mind when you think about a particular person or situation, it’s a sign that you should work on enhancing your interpersonal skills.
Developing strong interpersonal skills is crucial when you want to leave a lasting impression, exude knowledge and confidence, or establish a genuine connection with others. These skills not only help you make a positive impact but also enable effective communication and empower you to project a sense of authority and strength.
NLP employs specific techniques to enhance your Interpersonal skills. For example:
Matching and mirroring is like a hidden superpower in the art of communication. By mirroring someone’s physiology, voice, and language, you create an instant connection that makes them feel comfortable and understood. It’s fascinating how people naturally gravitate towards those who resemble them. Next time you observe two people with an incredible rapport, pay attention to how they effortlessly sync their movements and speech. Although this process happens unconsciously, you can unlock its potential by learning how to utilize it to your advantage.
Satir categories refer to the natural physiological poses you adopt. Have you ever observed how some individuals use their hands extensively while speaking? Your gestures and posture convey messages to those around you. People will likely respond in alignment with the unconscious signals you emit. For instance, appearing aggressive may prompt others to become defensive.
It’s not uncommon for past experiences to leave a lasting impact on our confidence, influencing our thoughts and behaviours. For example, if you were subjected to humiliation by a teacher during your school days, you might now feel anxious around authority figures. This can become problematic when you need to project confidence while dealing with your boss. Thankfully, NLP offers techniques that can provide fresh insights into these old events, allowing you to reshape your emotions and perspectives associated with them.
By Gemma Bailey
https://peoplebuilding.co.uk/practitioners/gemma-bailey/
