Interpersonal intelligence allows the recognition of emotions.
Interpersonal intelligence is an individual's ability to interact with others . It is the ability that allows you to understand others and engage in empathetic communication.
Also known as social intelligence , this type of intelligence is very important in different areas and moments of life. The human being is a social being, which means that he always develops within a community with other people; knowing how to relate to them, therefore, is essential.
Characteristics of interpersonal intelligence
Interpersonal intelligence is made up of the faculties that enable a subject to successfully adapt to their environment through effective interactions . Thanks to this quality, people can estimate and understand the emotions and mood of others, also recording their intentions and foreseeing, on certain occasions, their behavior.
It must be considered that interpersonal intelligence goes beyond the correct interpretation of the expressions of others. It is the ability to decode body language or non-verbal language, facial expressions and other more or less subtle signals.
Interpersonal intelligence, in this framework, is linked to sensitivity since it helps capture other people's feelings. It also has to do with respect and acceptance of cultural diversity to establish healthy bonds.
Group decision making requires the interpersonal intelligence of all members.
Howard Gardner's theory
Interpersonal intelligence is framed in Howard Gardner 's theory of multiple intelligences . This American psychologist, trained at Harvard University , postulated that human beings do not have a single intelligence, but rather have eight intelligences that establish their potential.
These eight intelligences make the individual able to impose order on his thoughts to direct them to goals in different areas. These abilities have a certain autonomy from each other, although they work in a coordinated manner.
In addition to interpersonal intelligence, we add intrapersonal intelligence (the ability to know oneself), linguistic intelligence (the ease of reading and writing), visual-spatial intelligence (for the recognition of objects), logical-spatial intelligence. mathematics (associated with the relationships between symbols and categorizations), corporal-kinesthetic intelligence (linked to the knowledge of movement and sensations of the body), naturalistic intelligence (oriented to nature) and musical intelligence (recognition of the characteristics of sounds).
Interpersonal intelligence in the workplace is very important.
The usefulness of interpersonal intelligence
The usefulness of interpersonal intelligence is particularly notable in certain contexts. At a general level, it can be said that those who enjoy advanced interpersonal intelligence have good communication skills and leadership qualities .
Psychologists , for example, need the development of their interpersonal intelligence. These professionals must be able to communicate assertively , developing active listening , and providing emotional support based on their theoretical knowledge and experience. They also have to know how to generate trust in their patients so that the therapeutic relationship can advance.
Lawyers , likewise, must be prepared to act with commitment to their clients, establishing assertive communication and a cooperative relationship to achieve the objectives set together. The interpersonal intelligence of these specialists also comes to the fore when it comes to negotiation or mediation to resolve conflicts and in the context of a trial.
Interpersonal relationships, on the other hand, are key in the sales area of a company. A salesperson must have social skills to relate, in addition to handling persuasion techniques and demonstrating adaptability to manage different situations.
If we focus on teachers , interpersonal intelligence in the educational field is essential to promote collaborative learning , understand the cultural and social context of the training process and achieve good management of diversity in the classroom. The educator, likewise, must be able to promote the development of emotional skills in boys and girls.
These qualities are not only important in the world of work. Interpersonal intelligence in parenting or interpersonal intelligence in the family environment are equally relevant.
How to develop it
Interpersonal intelligence can be developed by taking certain issues into account. On the one hand, it is essential to ask questions whenever necessary to develop effective communication. By making pertinent inquiries, the appropriate answers can be obtained to strengthen a relationship.
Another common suggestion for exercising interpersonal intelligence is to put yourself in someone else's shoes to understand how they perceive you. This way you can understand how others interpret your own behavior.
Paying attention to proxemics and gestures systematically is another exercise that allows you to enhance interpersonal intelligence. As we already indicated, in social interactions words only represent part of the content.
Working on self-knowledge , appealing to eye contact and betting on teamwork are actions that, over time, collaborate with the strengthening of interpersonal intelligence.