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1. Definition of interpersonal relationship

What is an Interpersonal relationship?

It is commonly mistaken to be the relationship that a husband and a wife share, a son and a
mother share, a father and a daughter share or that is shared between siblings.
However,  interpersonal relationships are far more than these few relationships. It is a
relationship between any 2 or more people; you don't need to be from the same family always.
This relationship is based on the feelings like love, trust, camaraderie, friendship, attraction or
any other type of a commitment. This relationship can take place at work between colleagues or
between the boss and his team, or a supervisor and his team members, or between any set of
people working together. It can also be developed at clubs, church, and marriages when there is
an interaction between people. In short, the society is full of interpersonal relationships.

Family ties - These are relationship that are with us since we are born like our mother, father,
brother and sister or the ones that we get into over the period of time like marriage, live in
relationships, girlfriend, boyfriend etc. These relationships are recognized and formalized by the
law.

Other relationships -These are relationships that we make over the period of time in our lives
like friends, acquaintances at work, pen pals or people whom we meet at like minded clubs,
churches etc.

Strong Interpersonal Relationships

Strong interpersonal relationships exist between people who fill many of each other's emotional
and physical needs. For example, a mother may have strong interpersonal relationships with her
children, because she provides her child's shelter, food, love and acceptance. The extent of needs
that a mother fills is greater than the extent of needs that are filled between, for example, you and
the cashier at the grocery store.

Weak Interpersonal Relationships

Mild interpersonal relationships exist when people fill modest needs. For example, if the extent
of your relationship with the clerk at the grocery store is that he scans your items and you give
him money, that is a weak interpersonal relationship. You need to go through him to get your
items at the store, and he needs to collect money from you.
 2. The importance of effective interpersonal relationship
2.1. In real life
" We must love another or die." - W .H. Auden

 We establish relationships at school, university, college, place of work, place of worship,

next door, the health club, travel etc., i.e., at any place or in any activity where common
interests bring people together.
 Interpersonal relationships skills help us to relate in positive ways with our family members
and others around.
 People who are well versed in interpersonal relationships skills succeed in life.
 They appear to possess pleasing and magnetic personalities that make them charismatic.
 Some people never lose their attractiveness regardless of age because of their ability to
build healthy interpersonal relationships
 Relationships are like bank accounts: the more we deposit the greater they become;
therefore, the more we can draw from them.
 The consequences of ‘poor depositing’ in interpersonal relationships leads to stress, lack of
communication, suspicion, isolation, prejudice, conflict, frustration, lack of sympathy and
empathy, poor health and so on.

2.2. At Work

 Your work environment is defined to a great extent by the kind of relationship you share with
your colleagues and with the management of your organisation. Having a good interpersonal
relationship at your workplace will help you develop a mutual understanding with other
employees and the management.
 Having a good interpersonal relationship at work will help in better teamwork, which will be
guided by better understanding among the employees. Good relations among the employees at
workplace will lead to better productivity and less conflicts and issues to handle.
 Good interpersonal relationships at workplace provides a good environment for the
employees to work in. Employees will feel like getting to work and attaining goals in such an
environment. Better understandings among the employees will also reduce the conflicts
between them.
 A good interpersonal relationship among the employees will create an environment which
will be welcoming and which will boost the morale of the employees and will inspire them to
deliver quality work.