Healing the Wounds: Overcoming the Trauma of Layoffs and Revitalizing Downsized Organizations

13.3. Interpersonal Competence

In his early, classic work on intervention theory, Chris Argyris (1970) introduced the term interpersonal competence as a prerequisite for what we now label meaning making. Today's leaders must be interpersonally competent in order to establish authentic employee relationships, facilitate meaning, and provide direction. The basic helping skills that make up interpersonal competence include the ability to give and receive feedback in ways that are constructive and reduce defensiveness, empathetic listening skills, the ability to reflect feelings, and the ability to confront others in a caring and nonjudgmental manner. These are Helping Skills 101, the basic communication and counseling skills that allow clarity ...