Negotiation is a process that occurs for the purpose of consensus. When a process approach is taken to interpersonal communication, both or all parties enter the conversation with the purpose of influence or being influenced. It is also accepted that all parties have specific goals, aspirations, fears, expectations and so on, which are either related or unrelated to the negotiation at hand. The process approach is then useful in working towards a common goal for the benefit of both the group and the wider sphere of influence, where decisions or consensus reached has wider effects. Examples of this can be political, educational, or family settings.

Each persons participating in interpersonal communication brings a variety of communicative skills to the conversation. These skills are enhanced while participating in the conversation. In this...

Emotional intelligence for example increases with the use of effective communication skills. Other skills, such as negotiation and bargaining also grow with use. In the same way, these skills will deteriorate with disuse. The dynamic of interpersonal communication is therefore in continuous flux.
The process approach to interpersonal communication means that desired conversation skills can be cultivated and enhanced by using them in the process of conversation and communication. Understanding the nature of interpersonal communication as a dynamic process can therefore be helpful on a variety of levels; both the external level of influence and the internal level of personal development.