Listening is one of the most important components in communication, and it can affect our interpersonal relationships in a positive and/or in a negative way. In fact, listening is the first communication skill that we learn growing up. I have had many experiences throughout my life where I didn’t listen to someone I had an interpersonal relationship with, and in result it affected us both in a negative way. An interpersonal relationship is when two individuals have a strong or deep bond with one another. When one of those individuals feels they are not being listened to by the other, it affects the interpersonal relationship because the recipient perceives it as being rude or uncaring. But listening can also build the interpersonal relationship in a positive way when done, by creating trust and understanding between on another. When I was just 16 years old, I dated this girl for a few months and I thought our relationship was healthy and had good/strong communication. But as childish and young as I was, I didn’t realize the importance of listening in my interpersonal relationships. I didn’t listen to what she said, and just thought I knew what was best for her. It turned out she was going through a lot of her own issues, and just needed someone to talk to that would listen. This affected our interpersonal relationship very negatively because she thought I didn’t care about her. In result, we broke up and went separate ways/paths in life. I apologized to her now that I am older and realize that I was being inconsiderate by not listening to her when she needed it the most. This memory will stay with me for the rest of my life because it reminds me the importance of listening in our interpersonal relationships, and the power it has to affect it negatively or positively.
The Art of Human Communication 