text: Chapter 9
  INTERPERSONAL CAPABILITY
  9-45. Interpersonal capability is the ability to facilitate team cohesion and the development and sustainment
  of healthy, trusting relationships. Interpersonal capability includes effective communication techniques,
  caring for others, conflict resolution, and team building.
  RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION
  9-46. Developing and maintaining good relationships requires effective communication. Poor
  communication leads to isolation and difficulty coping with daily stressors. When Soldiers encounter
  challenges or stress, they find it much easier to cope if they have the support of unit, family, or community.
  Soldiers are more effective in their professional mission if they can completely resolve conflicts with other
  Soldiers and with their own doubts about the mission. Self-awareness, self-confidence, assertiveness, and
  conflict resolution skills allow Soldiers to successfully navigate normal interpersonal problems.
  9-47. Soldiers that communicate assertively and honestly with each other while demonstrating empathy
  (understanding the situation from another’s perspective) can better develop strong relationships with other
  team members. Assertive communication is objective, specific, and empathetic. This type of communication
  can also lead to strong team cohesion, making it easier to work through stressful or chaotic situations.
  9-48. Communication in its basic form is a loop that involves one person sending an intended message
  through a shared space to another person who receives a perceived message, and ideally provides feedback.
  Many barriers exist that complicate communication. The barriers include, but are not limited to the following:
  * Physical.
  * Environment.
  * Emotional management of both the sender and receiver.
  * Culture.
  * Gender.
  * Communication channel (face to face, email, text message, radio, and so on).
  * Experience levels.
  * Physiological states.
  9-49. The primary components of communication are nonverbal and verbal cues. The majority of
  communication is nonverbal, meaning body language and facial expressions. Another major component of
  communication is tone. The same message can have multiple meanings based on the pitch, speed, and
  intonation. The meaning of the verbal messages, both the way it is intended and received, greatly depends on
  each component. Increased awareness of importance of verbal and nonverbal communication can improve
  perception of self and others, increase team dynamics, and enhance overall team performance.
  9-50. Assertive communication is key when handing conflict because it is objective, specific, and
  empathetic. Objective communication focuses on the task, not the Soldier performing it. When conflicts
  move from being objective to subjective communication, the resulting conflict can damage future team
  dynamics. Assertive communication focuses on one or two specific corrections. The empathetic aspect of
  assertive communication acknowledges that with each discussion, there are multiple people involved. Each
  person involved has his or her own point of view, needs, and goals. Empathetic communication responds to
  each person’s concerns to create a positive relationship. Leaders who regularly reflect on their
  communication styles and behaviors are more inclined to use assertive communication in stressful situations,
  when communication styles have the biggest impact.
  ENGAGEMENT
  9-51. Engagement is a Soldier’s willingness and tendency to fully contribute to the mission and remain
  committed to the team’s objectives. Engagement is required to achieve optimal individual and unit
  performance. Engagement requires that the Soldier understands the importance of being physically, mentally,
  and spiritually ready. An engaged Soldier chooses behaviors that lead to team cohesion, performance, and
  mission success.