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Interpersonal Communication Skills Inventory

Section I: Sending Clear Messages
1. Is it difficult for you to talk to other people?	Usually	Sometimes	Seldom	
2. When you are trying to explain something, do others tend to put words in your mouth, or finish your sentences for you?				
3. In conversation, do your words usually come out the way you would like?				
4. Do you find it difficult to express your ideas when they differ from the ideas of people around you?				
5. Do you assume that the other person knows what you are trying to say, and leave it to him/her to ask you questions?				
6. Do others seem interested and attentive when you are talking to them?				
7. When speaking, is it easy for you to recognize how others are reacting to what you are saying?				
8. Do you ask the other person to tell you how she/he feels about the point you are trying to make?				
9. Are you aware of how your tone of voice may affect others?				
10. In conversation, do you look to talk about things of interest to both you and the other person?				

Section II: Listening
	Usually	Sometimes	Seldom	
11. In conversation, do you tend to do more talking than the other person does?				
12. In conversation, do you ask the other person questions when you don’t understand what they’ve said?				
13. In conversation, do you often try to figure out what the other person is going to say before they’ve finished talking?				
14. Do you find yourself not paying attention while in conversation with others?				
15. In conversation, can you easily tell the difference between what the person is saying and how he/she may be feeling?				
16. After the other person is done speaking, do you clarify what you heard them say before you offer a response?				
17. In conversation, do you tend to finish sentences or supply words for the other person?				
18. In conversation, do you find yourself paying most attention to facts and details, and frequently missing the emotional tone of the speakers’ voice?				
19. In conversation, do you let the other person finish talking before reacting to what she/he says?				
20. Is it difficult for you to see things from the other person’s point of view?				

Section III: Giving and Getting Feedback
	Usually	Sometimes	Seldom	
21. Is it difficult to hear or accept constructive criticism from the other person?				
22. Do you refrain from saying something that you think will upset someone or make matters worse?				
23. When someone hurts your feelings, do you discuss this with him/her?				
24. In conversation, do you try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes?				
25. Do you become uneasy when someone pays you a compliment?				
26. Do you find it difficult to disagree with others because you are afraid they will get angry?				
27. Do you find it difficult to compliment or praise others?				
28. Do others remark that you always seem to think you are right?				
29. Do you find that others seem to get defensive when you disagree with their point of view?				
30. Do you help others to understand you by saying how you feel?				

Section IV: Handling Emotional Interactions
	Usually	Sometimes	Seldom	
31. Do you have a tendency to change the subject when the other person’s feelings enter into the discussion?				
32. Does it upset you a great deal when someone disagrees with you?				
33. Do you find it difficult to think clearly when you are angry with someone?				
34. When a problem arises between you and another person, can you discuss it without getting angry?				
35. Are you satisfied with the way you handle differences with others?				
36. Do you sulk for a long time when someone upsets you?				
37. Do you apologize to someone whose feelings you may have hurt?				
38. Do you admit that you’re wrong when you know that you are/were wrong about something?				
39. Do you avoid or change the topic if someone is expressing his or her feelings in a conversation?				
40. When someone becomes upset, do you find it difficult to continue the conversation?				

SCORING KEY
Question	Usually	Sometimes	Seldom	Question	Usually	Sometimes	Seldom	
1	0	1	3	21	0	1	3	
2	0	1	3	22	3	1	0	
3	3	1	0	23	3	1	0	
4	0	1	3	24	3	1	0	
5	0	1	3	25	0	1	3	
6	3	1	0	26	0	1	3	
7	3	1	0	27	0	1	3	
8	3	1	0	28	0	1	3	
9	3	1	0	29	0	1	3	
10	3	1	0	30	3	1	0	
11	0	1	3	31	0	1	3	
12	3	1	0	32	0	1	3	
13	0	1	3	33	0	1	3	
14	0	1	3	34	3	1	0	
15	3	1	0	35	3	1	0	
16	3	1	0	36	0	1	3	
17	0	1	3	37	3	1	0	
18	0	1	3	38	3	1	0	
19	3	1	0	39	0	1	3	
20	0	1	3	40	0	1	3	

Interpretation
Look at your score for each section as one indication of the degree to which you effectively communicate. This will create a profile of your strengths and opportunities for improvement.

	•	Scores in the 1 > 15 range indicate areas of your communication skills that need improvement.
	•	Scores in the 16 > 21 range indicate areas of communication skills that need more consistent attention.
	•	Scores in the 22 > 30 range indicate areas of strength or potential strength.

Source: Learning Dynamics, 2002.