Workplace Interpersonal Relationships and Communication Interaction Workshop

On 22 April, the Graduate School (GS) organised the “Workplace Interpersonal Relationships and Communication” workshop. Led by GS Counsellor Ms Melanie Tang, the workshop aimed to increase students’ awareness of workplace stress and to introduce communication skills to protect their well-being, helping them better maintain their mental health in the workplace.

Ms Tang began the workshop by explaining the crucial role of communication in problem-solving, relationship-building and team cohesion. She identified the main sources of interpersonal stress, including work-related, organisational and social pressures, and outlined the key factors and potential barriers affecting interpersonal communication.

Students were introduced to Virginia Satir’s four stress-related communication “coping stances” in the next stage of the workshop. To make these more tangible, students role-played each posture. Through this experience, students felt the inner changes brought about by different coping patterns and identified the communication style they most often adopt under pressure. Ms Tang went on to present the ideal model of “congruent three-way win” communication, in which words align with inner feelings while addressing the needs of oneself, others and the situation to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

During the Q&A session, students actively asked questions about communication challenges they encounter in daily life. Ms Tang encouraged students to take a long-term approach: “Communication is not just a skill, but an art that requires ongoing practice.”

Participants left the workshop with a fresh perspective and various emotional support and counselling resources. Ms Tang reminded students heading to the workplace to seek professional help promptly if they experience emotional difficulties, so as to maintain a positive and optimistic mindset when facing challenges.