We must become the way we visualize ourselves! The million-dollar question is—how? The answer is a very simple one—by introspection, by understanding our own selves, and, most of all, by understanding and interacting with others—and that is precisely what we refer to when we speak of interpersonal skills. For rendering a healthy interpersonal relationship and developing good interpersonal skills, it is essential to have a well balanced emotional intelligence. It is only when we experience in ourselves a proper harmony of emotional intelligence that we can come out with good interpersonal skills. It is wise, hence, to direct our anger towards problems not people, to focus our energies on solutions not excuses because not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. This paper attempts to delve into aspects of interpersonal skills seen from both psycho-social and cognitive angles, with a view to highlight the interaction between emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.

A person once asked, "how many times do you have to say `hello' or `hi' to someone you are continuously seeing in the hallway or office?" The answer is: It isn't something you count—it's something you do. People want to be acknowledged—it's a sign of respect. If you see someone time and again on a particular day, you can start the day with `good morning', `hi' or `hello'. The second time you see the person, you can use one of these greetings again. As you continuously see this person, you don't have to speak, but at least you should nod, smile or make eye contact in recognition of his or her presence.

Communication is defined as a process by which we assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create shared understanding. There are essentially three major components—the sender, the message and the receiver. This process requires a vast repertoire of skills in intrapersonal and interpersonal processing, listening, observing, speaking, questioning, analyzing and evaluating. Interpersonal communication refers to a one-on-one or a one-to-group interaction, where the receiver decodes the information sent by the sender comprehending it closest to the meaning as intended by the sender. This can be both verbal and non-verbal, because gestures, eye-contact, postures and body language as a whole contribute a lot to this.

Interpersonal Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Perspectives, Intrapersonal processing, Interpersonal processing, Business environment, Self-awareness, Harvard Business Review, Emotional intelligence traits, Leadership traits.