Self-Assessment Exercise

Building Effective Interpersonal Communication Skills: Self-Assessment Exercise
In today's team-oriented workplace, the development of good interpersonal communication skills is an

important key to success.
The following self-assessment exercise is designed to help you evaluate your own interpersonal communication
skills and style, and provide you with helpful tips for becoming a good communicator - and team player!
In each of the following, read items A, B, and C, then mark the one that best describes your communication
style. (24 total)
1. ___A. When conversing with others, I usually do most of the talking.

___B. When conversing with others, I usually let the other person do most of the talking.
___C. When conversing with others, I try to equalize my participation in the conversation.
2. ___ A. When I first meet someone, I wait for the other person to make the introduction first.
___ B. When I first meet someone, I introduce myself with a smile and offer a handshake.
___ C. When I first meet someone, I hug the person.
3. ___ A. I usually "warm-up" new conversations with small talk.

___ B. I usually avoid small talk and jump into more important matters.
___ C. I usually avoid starting conversations.
4. ___ A. I make an effort to remember and use peoples' names.

___ B. I don't pay attention to names as I tend to forget them.
___ C. I only learn the names of important people.
5. ___ A. I frequently use courtesy words and phrases - "Please," "Thank you," "You're welcome," "I'm
sorry."
___ B. I occasionally use these courtesy words and phrases.
___ C. I never use these courtesy words and phrases.
6. ___ A. I tend to be serious and don't smile often while conversing.

___ B. I smile all the time while conversing.
___ C. I smile at appropriate times while conversing.
7. ___ A. I make eye contact while conversing.

___ B. I sometimes make eye contact while conversing.
___ C. I never make eye contact while conversing.
8. ___ A. While conversing, I hold my head still at all times.

___ B. While conversing, I nod my head at appropriate times.
___ C. While conversing, I nod my head constantly.
9. ___ A. While conversing, I stand one-foot away from the person.

___ B. While conversing, I stand two- to three-feet away from the person.
___ C. While conversing, I stand five- to six-feet away from the person.
10. ___ A. I often stand while talking to a person who is sitting.

___ B. I often sit while talking to a person who is sitting.
___ C. I often lean down while talking to a person who is sitting.
11. ___A. To end a conversation, I often just leave.

___B. To end a conversation, I begin to look impatient hoping the person will get the hint.
___C. To end a conversation, I wrap up with a closing statement.
12. ___A. If a co-worker has put on weight, I say nothing about it.
___B. If a co-worker has put on weight, I tell the person that he or she has changed in appearance.
___C. If a co-worker has put on weight, I honestly tell the person that he or she looks fat.
13. ___ A. When I'm listening to the speaker, I often cross my arms over my chest.
___ B. When I'm listening to the speaker, I often lean back and turn my body away from the speaker.
___ C. When I'm listening to the speaker, I often lean slightly forward and face my body toward
the speaker.
14. ___ A. When I cross my leg, I cross my leg facing the speaker.
___ B. When I cross my leg, I cross my leg away from the speaker.
___ C. When I cross my leg, I bob my foot.
15. ___ A. While listening, I tend to be distracted by things going on around me.
___ B. While listening, I listen for meaning and ask questions.
___ C. While listening, I watch the person speak, but I don't "hear" a word.
16. ___ A. When someone talks about an unfortunate or sad experience, I don't comment about it.
___ B. When someone talks about an unfortunate or sad experience, I try to change the subject.
___ C. When someone talks about an unfortunate or sad experience, I try to relate to the
person's feelings and show sensitivity to his or her misfortune.
17. ___ A. When I discuss a topic, I tend to talk about and focus on positive (good) aspects.
___ B. When I discuss a topic, I tend to talk about and focus on the negative (bad) aspects.
___ C. When I discuss a topic, I tend to complain.
18. ___ A. When I have a negative opinion or comment, I just say it.
___ B. When I have a negative opinion or comment, I lead in with a positive comment first.
___ C. When I have a negative opinion or comment, I say nothing.
19. ___ A. When I receive unfavorable feedback, I note where I need to improve.
___ B. When I receive unfavorable feedback, I get angry and defensive.
___ C. When I receive unfavorable feedback, I deny the problem, make excuses, or plead ignorance.
20. ___ A. When I give a person negative feedback, I focus on the person's observable work or behavior and
offer suggestions.
___ B. When I give a person negative feedback, I focus on what I don't like about the person.
___ C. When I give a person negative feedback, I simply tell the person what to do right.
21. ___ A. When I give a person negative feedback, I do it around others so everyone can hear.
___ B. When I give a person negative feedback, I do it in front of the supervisor.
___ C. When I give a person negative feedback, I talk with the person alone in a private place.
22. ___ A. When I disagree with a person, I listen first; ask questions for clarification, then disagree non-
judgmentally.
___ B. When I disagree with a person, I quickly point out the person is wrong and why.
___ C. When I disagree with a person, I say little or nothing.
23. ___ A. When I'm in a group, I tend to frown a lot.

___ B. When I'm in a group, I tend to smile and use humor at appropriate times.
___ C. When I'm in a group I tend to be serious.
This last item has four choices (A, B, C or D). Which one best describes you? Check each of the statements
that fit you best and then see where the majority of your traits lie. You may have traits from each “type,” but
which one captures the majority?
24. ___ A. I'm a "hands-on" person. I tend to: prefer hands-on experiences and activities; focus on tasks to
be done; refrain from discussions; think in a logical and organized way; do things in an orderly way;have
difficulty adjusting to change.
___ B. I'm a "thinker." I tend to: enjoy listening to a logical presentation of ideas; enjoy analyzing
problems and finding systematic ways to solve problems; enjoy creating models based on theory and
information; like structure and organization; act slowly in making decisions; show more interest in ideas
than people.
___ C. I'm an "explorer." I tend to: try things by trial and error; explore practical uses for ideas and
theories; make decisions that provide quick solutions; decide quickly; take risks; enjoy change; rely
more on people for information.
___ D. I'm a "free thinker." I tend to: base views and opinions on feelings; enjoy tossing around ideas
(brainstorming); approach and view problems and experiences from different perspectives; rely on
intuition, not logic, for making decisions; dislike structure.

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Building Effective Interpersonal Communication Skills: Self-Assessment Exercise

In today's team-oriented workplace, the development of good interpersonal communication skills is an

1. ___A. When conversing with others, I usually do most of the talking.

3. ___ A. I usually "warm-up" new conversations with small talk.

4. ___ A. I make an effort to remember and use peoples' names.

6. ___ A. I tend to be serious and don't smile often while conversing.

7. ___ A. I make eye contact while conversing.

8. ___ A. While conversing, I hold my head still at all times.

9. ___ A. While conversing, I stand one-foot away from the person.

10. ___ A. I often stand while talking to a person who is sitting.

11. ___A. To end a conversation, I often just leave.

23. ___ A. When I'm in a group, I tend to frown a lot.

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