The document discusses interpersonal competence and its four main skill clusters: attentiveness, composure, expressiveness, and coordination. It defines interpersonal competence as the appropriate and effective management of interactions between people. Appropriate means adhering to contextual rules and expectations, while effective means achieving one's goals. Each skill cluster is then defined in more detail, outlining behaviors and suggestions for demonstrating that skill during a conversation.

1. Based on the research of
Spitzberg and Cupach

2. INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE
= the appropriate and effective
management of interaction among
people
What does it mean to be appropriate?
What does it mean to be effective?

3. APPROPRIATE
Involves how well you adhere to the
rules and expectations in a given
context
EFFECTIVE
Involves how well you achieve your goal

4. INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE
INCLUDES FOUR SKILL CLUSTERS
1. Attentiveness
2. Composure
3. Expressiveness
4. Coordination

5. ATTENTIVENESS
The tendency to be concerned
with, interested in, and attentive to your
conversational partner
How do I achieve this?

6. ATTENTIVENESS SUGGESTIONS
• Lean toward your partner
• Nod your head in response to
statements
• Use encouragements or agreements
• Express your personal opinions
• Involve your partner as a topic of
conversation

7. COMPOSURE
Involves communicating in an assertive
and confident manner and avoiding
anxiety cues
How can I communicate with
composure?

8. COMPOSURE SUGGESTIONS
• Limit vocal fillers (um, uh, like, etc.)
• Don’t speak too fast or too slow
• Have an open posture
• Don’t have distracting movements
(e.g., tapping foot)
• Make direct eye contact

9. EXPRESSIVENESS
Involves animation and variation in verbal
and nonverbal forms of expression
How can I communicate with
expressiveness?

10. EXPRESSIVENESS SUGGESTIONS
• Smile
• Use vocal variety
• Make sure your facial expressions
match what you are saying
• Use gestures
• Make direct eye contact

11. COORDINATION
Involves managing the flow of the
conversation
How can I accomplish this?

12. COORDINATION SUGGESTIONS
• Don’t interrupt your partner
• Maintain topics & make follow-up
comments
• Ask questions
• Speak about the same amount of time as
your partner
• Initiate new topics for the conversation