The skills you need guide to interpersonal skills

Again, try to prepare your own answers before scrolling down for ours.
“That meal was practically inedible; I can’t remember the last 
time I ate something so awful!”
 Identify
a. 
A possible aggressive answer
b. 
A negative enquiry to use in response
Answers
a. 
“How dare you, I spent all afternoon preparing that meal” or
“Well! That’s the last time I cook for you!”
b. 
“It wasn’t the best, was it, but exactly what didn’t you like about it?”
It is important to learn to think about your responses and how you behave when 
you communicate with others.

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84
2.
ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SKILLS
SUMMARY
Being assertive means being able to stand up for your own or other people’s rights in a 
calm and positive way, without being either aggressive, or passively accepting ‘wrong’. 
Assertive people get their point across without upsetting others, or becoming upset 
themselves.
Passive and aggressive behaviour often results from a lack of self-confidence and 
is, therefore, an inappropriate way of interacting with others. By using techniques 
designed to make you more assertive, you will find that your communication and other 
interpersonal interactions are generally more positive.

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85
2.
ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Most people want to avoid conflict and potentially 
stressful situations. This is human nature.
People often find it easier to avoid communicating something 
that they think is going to be controversial or bad, putting off 
the communication and letting the situation fester.
For example, a manager may put off telling an employee 
that their standard of work is unsatisfactory. You may put 
off having that ‘difficult’ conversation with your partner, 
especially if it concerns some kind of wrongdoing, financial 
or emotional issues. A child may put off telling their parents 
that they are struggling with classes at school.