Interpersonal Skills: Goal-directed Behaviour at Work

Interpersonal skills are goal-directed behaviours used in face-to-face interactions, which are effective in bringing about a desired state of affairs.
John Hayes argues that a distinguishing factor between the successful and unsuccessful manager is his or her level of interpersonal competence. Research has demonstrated that people who are able to consciously manage the way they relate to others are much more successful in terms of achieving their goals. With this in mind Interpersonal Skills aims at increasing our awareness of those techniques which will help us to manage working relationships more effectively. The author explains clearly, using practical examples and illustrations, how we can learn to read the actual or potential behaviour of others around us and use this knowledge to our advantage in the workplace.
John Hayes suggests techniques for improving management performance in a number of key areas:
* Listening and interpreting non-verbal messages
* Information-getting and presenting
* Negotiating and influencing
* Working in group situations