Exercise No.
: 05 Date:
“Practical Exercise on Interpersonal Communication”
Objective: To improve active listening, respectful communication, non-verbal cues, and feedback
skills.
Methodology: Role-playing, group discussions, and feedback sessions
Introduction: The Practical Exercise is designed to help individuals improve their communication
skills in various interpersonal settings. Effective communication is essential for building strong
relationships, resolving conflicts, and achieving personal and professional success. This exercise
focuses on developing key communication competencies such as active listening, clear and
respectful expression, non-verbal communication, and the ability to give and receive feedback.
Through hands-on activities, role-playing, and group discussions, participants will have the
opportunity to practice these skills in real-life scenarios, gaining valuable insights into their
communication styles and areas for improvement. By the end of the exercise, individuals will be
more equipped to navigate complex interpersonal interactions with confidence, empathy, and
effectiveness.
Exercise Steps
Step 1: Active Listening Practice
Active listening is a fundamental aspect of effective interpersonal communication. It involves fully
concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said.
Activity:
1. Pair up with a partner or use a group setting where each person takes turns speaking and
listening.
2. One person will speak on a topic of their choice (e.g., a recent experience, a favorite hobby,
or an event).
3. The listener’s job is to actively listen by:
o Giving full attention to the speaker (no distractions like phones or looking around).
o Nodding and making eye contact to show attentiveness.
o Paraphrasing or summarizing what the speaker says to confirm understanding
(e.g., "So what you're saying is...").
o Asking clarifying questions if necessary (e.g., "Can you explain that part a bit
more?").
After 3-5 minutes, switch roles.
Reflection:
How did you feel as the speaker? Did you feel heard and understood?
How did you feel as the listener? Was it challenging to focus and reflect what the speaker
was saying?
What did you learn about your listening habits?
Step 2: Non-Verbal Communication Awareness
Non-verbal communication, such as body language, facial expressions, and posture, plays a large
role in how messages are interpreted.
Activity:
1. Role-play a conversation with a partner (or in a small group). One person will speak while
the others will focus on non-verbal communication.
2. As the speaker, convey your message clearly using words, but also be aware of your body
language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures.
3. The listeners should observe your non-verbal cues and provide feedback on:
o Your posture and gestures.
o The tone of your voice.
o The facial expressions you used.
o Whether your non-verbal communication matched your verbal message.
Example: If you're talking about being excited about a project, your voice should sound
enthusiastic, and your body language should be open, with gestures like smiling or leaning
forward.
After the role-play, discuss:
How did the non-verbal cues influence the message?
Were there any misunderstandings due to mismatched verbal and non-verbal
communication?
How can you adjust your non-verbal behavior to align with your intended message?
Step 3: Giving and Receiving Feedback
Giving and receiving feedback is an essential communication skill, especially in personal and
professional relationships. Feedback helps individuals improve their behavior and clarify
misunderstandings.
Activity:
1. Provide feedback to your partner on their communication. Focus on being constructive
and respectful. Use the SBI model (Situation-Behavior-Impact):
o Situation: Describe the context or situation where the behavior occurred.
o Behavior: Describe the specific behavior you observed.
o Impact: Explain the effect that behavior had on you or others.
Example:
o Situation: "In the team meeting yesterday..."
o Behaviour: "...you interrupted others when they were speaking."
o Impact: "It made it difficult for everyone to share their ideas."
2. Now, receive feedback from your partner using the same model. Pay attention to how the
feedback is delivered and be open to making improvements.
Reflection:
How did it feel to receive feedback? Were you open to it?
How did it feel to give feedback? Did you find it challenging to be constructive?
What can you do to improve your feedback skills in the future?
Step 4: Clarifying and Asking Questions
Effective communication often involves asking questions and seeking clarification to ensure
understanding.
Activity:
1. Have a conversation with a partner about a topic (e.g., an event you recently attended, a
project you’re working on).
2. Your goal is to ask open-ended questions to explore the topic more deeply and seek
clarification when something is unclear.
o Use questions like:
“Can you tell me more about that?”
“How did you feel about the situation?”
“What was your thought process behind that decision?”
The listener should ask clarifying questions if they don’t fully understand the speaker's point.
3. Switch roles after a few minutes.
Reflection:
Did asking questions help you understand your partner better?
How did you feel when you asked clarifying questions? Did it help avoid any confusion?
Did the conversation flow smoothly when both of you asked open-ended questions?
Step 5: Communication in Conflict (Optional)
Conflicts often arise due to miscommunication or differing perspectives. Knowing how to
communicate during conflict can prevent escalation and improve understanding.
Activity:
1. Role-play a conflict situation with a partner (e.g., a disagreement over a task at work or
an issue with a friend).
2. Use the "I" statements technique to express your feelings without blaming or accusing
the other person. For example:
o “I feel frustrated when the task is delayed because it affects my schedule.”
o “I understand you’re busy, but I would appreciate it if we could work together on
this.”
Practice active listening as well: reflect on what the other person says, and validate their feelings.
3. Discuss how you both felt during the role-play:
o Did the communication stay respectful?
o How did you express your feelings without causing the other person to feel
defensive?
Step 6: Group Discussion or Debriefing
If you did this exercise in a group, debrief together to share insights:
How did the different communication techniques (active listening, giving feedback,
clarifying questions) impact the conversation?
Were there any challenges in communicating effectively? How can you overcome these
challenges?
What communication skills do you need to practice more?
