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UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
RÍO PIEDRAS CAMPUS
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION IN ENGLISH

INCO 4008
Strategic Business Communication
Prof. Carmen F. Sierra

Lesson Six
Interpersonal Relationship Skills

Objectives:

* Identify the importance of interpersonal relationships
* Recognize elements of supportive and defensive communicationclimates
* Describe the differences among assertive, aggressive and nonassertive communication.
* Describe the characteristics of each element in assertion messages
* Provide examples of the four parts of an assertion message

The Seven Stages of Man, by William Shakespeare
All the world’s a stage,
        And all the men and women merely players;
        They have their exits andtheir entrances,
        And one man in his time plays many parts,                       
5      His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
        Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms;
        And then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
        And shining morning face, creeping like snail
        Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,  
10    Sighing like furnace, with awoeful ballad
        Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
        Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard, 
        Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel,
        Seeking the bubble reputation
15    Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,
        In fair round belly with good capon lined,
        With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, 
        Full ofwise saws and modern instances;
        And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
20    Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
        With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
        His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
        For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
        Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
25    And whistles in his sound. Last scene ofall,
        That ends this strange eventful history,
        Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
        Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
This poem is taken from William Shakespeare’s play As You Like It, and is a monologue by the character of Jaques.
* What seven stages can you find in Shakespeare’s poem?
* What relationships are there within these stages?* How can you relate to this poem?

*Go to the discussion board and post your answer. You can comment on your classmates’ responses.

Read pages 130- 147 in your textbook.

Interpersonal Relationships Are Important

The relationships you establish throughout your life will help to make you who you are. Communication is the key element to help you establish the different relationshipsin your life.

In order for a workplace to be successful there must be effective communication.

Supportive and Defensive Relationships

The key elements of supportive and defensive climates are valid factors in determining the effectiveness of your communication.

Description- messages that explain your feelings, your reactions and your needs to others
Evaluation- judges, blames, orcriticizes another person
Problem Orientation- a point of view you share with another that says “we” have a problem, and we can find a solution.
Control – in a conflict situation expect the othe person to change their behavior.
Spontaneity- refers to a genuine, natural wa of communicating with honesty and openness.
Strategy- involves manipulation, tricks, or a planned script rather thanfree-flowing, open communication.
Empathy- communicates respect, understanding, and acceptance to another; it involves the ability to put yourself in another’s place.
Neutrality – expresses a lack of concern with a detached, impersonal tone.
Equality – shares a sense of value and mutual respect regardless of power, status, or position.
Superiority- involves looking down on others, creating feelings of...