About My Interpersonal Style

I'm an assertive person. My way of acquiring my needs and expectations is to understand the views and opinions of other people in a more concrete way. The secret behind assertiveness is that both sides end up feeling comfortable and knowing the present situation. Negotiating with my clients, for example, allows me to create trust and confidence. I also always make sure that I value their views and feelings when talking to my colleagues and friends. In addition, when selecting my mates, I am very careful. I am always drawn to individuals who are good-natured and those who bring advancement to my career and business. Hence, I can say that I have a few friends despite the fact that I associate with hundreds of people on a business basis.

Extensiveness

I still recall my grandmother telling me that I should keep my circle small, avoid crowds especially in matters that are private and confidential. However, this didn’t mean that I should limit my social life. I am an outgoing individual who spends much of my days with people either online or in meeting joints. As a salesman, most of my encounters with new people are business oriented. Above all, family comes first, and my family, I mean all those individuals who have always been there for me. I bet the only time that I spend alone is when my best friend is out of town.

Caring

I am a compassionate person, very gentle and caring. It’s not once that I have been complimented for being caring and kind, ever since I was a child. In my line of business, I express care to my clients by ensuring that their needs and wants are satisfied by literally asking them if they are happy with my services. My close friends are like family to me, and I am always there for them in all situations. I can say that am average when it comes to generosity as it’s difficult to succeed in a business of you are incredibly generous.

Competence

I believe to possess strong interpersonal skills. I am a master when it comes to understanding body language and any aspect revolving around communication. Being a great listener is what makes people feel competent about my work and skills. I always question information that appears foreign and a little bit disturbing. When it comes to teamwork, I am a very active member of any team or group that were involved. I also believe that am a great negotiator when it comes to sales and marketing. I am also good at mediating and solving problems. For instance, when my friends disagree on something, I always try to provide a fair solution to the both. I don’t remember when I last was caught in a conflicting situation. Above all, possessing high emotional intelligence is what has helped me build great interactions among people with different cultures, ethnic, beliefs and social status.

Emotions

What I believe in is being straightforward and transparent when expressing my emotions. I also think about being respectful and patient when dealing with other people’s opinions. However, on those days when being overwhelmed by emotions, I usually take a nature walk or take a hike by myself. It helps me put myself together and bring back the high spirited mood. I have never known how to react towards angered or deranged individuals. I always walk away out of fear and wait until they are comfortable and relaxed, then I can communicate. For the happy and joyful people, I am aware of how to react as being happy is my aspiration.

Intimacy

In my perception, intimacy is a feeling of belonging to each other; it's having a close personal relationship with another (Knapp, 2014). I would say that my interpersonal life is not that intense as I value intimate relationships. I make sure that I maintain professional relationships with my clients. For instance, very few of my clients know where I live despite the great interactions we may have had. I never force on intimate relationships. They just manifest themselves ‘magically.’ The most threatening and to be avoided intimacy are those that drain and take over your emotions. Being unable to control your emotional intelligence threatens your interpersonal skills as well as how you relate to others.

Rejection and alienation

I am afraid of being lonely. It is the reason behind my outgoing character and active social life. Nobody has a right to say that I am a lonely person, I barely stay by myself. I am allergic to rejections. I never take it lightly when someone ignores me or when I feel left out. To avoid such devastating situations, I always make a note of body language to sense when am not wanted. I have faced rejection from time to time, especially when dealing with new clients. I am an honest individual who tells someone as it is. It applies in situations that were not in a position to relate to individuals that want to connect with me.

Interpersonal influences

As a salesperson, being manipulative becomes a necessity in some situation (Cheruvelil, 2014). For instance, when I have to arrive at a particular sales target within a limited time, I apply the manipulative technique to acquire my clients. It doesn’t feel right to manipulate old clients, but at times I am left with no other choice. However, when dealing with friends and family, I am genuine and sober. My friends do try to take advantage of my gentle and caring nature from time to time. I am used to it, and in most times I let it pass. For instance, I always pick my friend’s sibling from school even though I know he’s still not busy as he claims to be.

Work relationships

I am democratic when it comes to working relationships. I advocate for equality and fairness in the teams that were involved in (Lowry, 2016). I believe that every person’s opinion in a group is of value and should be heard. At work, I try to bring the best out of every single interaction I get with my colleges.

Values

My core values are clarity, loyalty, clear-mindedness with a bit of optimism. I know that I am straightforward when dealing with others and that I value being at peace with my inner self. Being a sales person, I am a great risk taker and believer of uncertainty. I am open-minded and free-spirited in a way that is aware that people differ in beliefs values and behaviors of which I respect (Knapp, 2014). I value friendship and its evident with the fact that my childhood best friend is still the one.

References

Cheruvelil, K. S., Soranno, P. A., Weathers, K. C., Hanson, P. C., Goring, S. J., Filstrup, C. T., & Read, E. K. (2014). Creating and maintaining high‐performing collaborative research teams: the importance of diversity and interpersonal skills. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 12(1), 31-38.
Knapp, M. L., Vangelisti, A. L., & Caughlin, J. P.(2014). Interpersonal communication & human relationships. Pearson Higher Ed.
Lowry, D., Palmer, H., & Hinton, J (2016). Developing High Trust Work Relationships.