Interpersonal intelligence: definition and tips to improve it

The Interpersonal intelligence is a concept derived from the development of the Theory of multiple intelligences from Howard Gardner. It is a type of intelligence that, together with the others, empowers us to adapt to the environment and to interactions with others in an optimal way.

Specifically, interpersonal intelligence is one that it explains the degree to which we are able to make a rough estimate of the mental and mood states of others. Thus, someone with good interpersonal intelligence is able to grasp the intentions of others, their feelings (which they can express more or less), knowing what information the the rest... and, as a consequence, you will interact well with these people, by adapting to them and even predicting certain aspects of them.

See beyond words

It should be said that this ability is not limited only to the way of interpreting the words said by others, but rather also extends to the ability to read facial expressions, movements and even patterns of behavior. Therefore, it does not depend only on the information that the other person gives us about himself.

Beyond the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, interpersonal intelligence can be related to concepts such as social skills or emotional intelligence (In its social aspect, since intrapersonal intelligence can also be included in this idea).

Ultimately, this type of intelligence is related to our way of adjusting to the minds and actions of others and to the way we interact with the people that define us.

What are people with good interpersonal intelligence like?

For the aforementioned, You may already be thinking about trades and professions that are characterized by exploiting this type of skill. Professionally, these people are usually the ones who offer a part of their added value that is related with their ability to solve diplomatic or face-to-face contact-related tasks with many people.

Examples of these profiles are commercials, lawyers, professors, public speakers and, of course, psychologists.

Interpersonal intelligence in modern times

The truth is that, in the information age, interpersonal intelligence has become very important both in our personal lives (in which we interact with a much larger number of people than was normal a century ago) as in the professionally, where diplomacy with different types of agents is almost inevitable.

That is why it is worth spending some effort trying to improve it. Then you can read some keys to face this task.

Tips to improve interpersonal intelligence

With these key points you can learn to improve your interpersonal intelligence.

1. Ask yourself what do you know that others do not know

In your interaction with other people, there may be cases in which you make references to facts or things that others do not know. Taking for granted that other people have the same information as yourself can make the conversation less fluid or even have some somewhat awkward moments.

2. Give more credibility to gestures than to words

People can lie with words, but it is much more difficult to lie with the body. That is why the gestures of the face, posture and movements of the head or arms give us information that, on occasions when it is not ambiguous, it is more reliable than the one you provide us with the content of your speech.

3. Think about how they see you

To better interpret what the people around you are doing, it's a good idea think first about how they may be interpreting what you do. Make efforts to keep in mind that what others do depends in large part on how you are perceived.

4. Don't be afraid to ask

Certain relevant aspects are well worth a question. When you notice that there is something that stands between you and others in your communication, value the possibility of asking directly what it is about. However, it is also good that you consider what possible topics it is not good to be attacked frontally in your conversation, since that some questions can put others in a violent situation or can hurt someone's sensibilities when exposed totally.