3 top tips on building relationships

“The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say or what we do, but what we are.” – Stephen R. Covey

When you cultivate positive and supportive relationships in your life you are more likely to feel happier and more fulfilled. When relationships work well, it can be a very happy experience. However, you may well have experienced situations when relationships break down and you find yourself in a conflict situation. This can be draining and disappointing and have a detrimental effect on your wellbeing by creating unnecessary frustration and stress.

One of the biggest challenges you may experience in relationships is the appreciation that everyone is different and will perceive and respond to life in so many different ways. Certainly a stumbling block that you may come across when you attempt to build a relationship is an expectation of the way that you want the other people to think and behave.

Building a positive relationship is a combination of establishing mutual respect and trust and communicating in a way that works for both sides of the relationship

There are many ways that you can build relationships and here are three useful tips:

Listen – Listening is a hugely important skill in terms of boosting another person’s self-esteem. It is the silent form of flattery that makes people feel supported and valued. Listening and understanding what others communicate to us is the most important part of successful interaction and vice versa. When a person decides to communicate with another person, they do so to fulfil a need. We were given two ears and one mouth, because for some people listening is twice as hard as talking.
Be fully present – In a world full of distractions being present with people is very important, so that, when you are with someone, you are truly with them in that moment and not dwelling on something else. The connection we make with other people is the very touchstone of our existence and devoting time, energy and effort into developing and building relationships is one of the most valuable life skills. This is why giving yourself total permission to fully focus on the person when you are with them is essential.
Communicate openly – Open communication is essential for building trust, feeling confident about being open and honest with people is a great way to connect with others. It is also important to be respectful in terms of how you communicate your message in terms of tact and diplomacy.

In summary

Building positive relationships with people is so important for our own sense of wellbeing. We are sociable creatures and connecting with others will help you to feel better about yourself and more supported and connected.

“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Written by Liggy Webb