Whether it’s friends, family members, romantic partners or even business contacts, we all need relationships with other people. These relationships affect our lives (even when we don’t want to admit it) and can very easily be the difference between a good day and a bad day or a good life and a bad life.
Yet, no one teaches us these things in school so we thought we’d share our thoughts on some of the important things in cultivating relationships that matter.
1. Give what you want
Hear us out. Giving what you want to receive is one of the best ways of cultivating relationships that are good. We often think of what we want from people in our relationships or interactions, but we don’t think about what we have to offer. A good thing to do is take the things on your list of expectations, and give those things first.
For example, if you want people to be supportive, be a supportive friend to them. If you want people to be kind, be kind to them and others around. It is a deliberate way of growing as a person, and it will also attract people with similar values to you. That way, you get what you actually wanted!
2. Accept Differences
It’s not unusual to hear someone lament, “I would have done more for you if it were the other way round.” Yes, we all think about what we’d have done and we expect others to do the same, but learn to be ok with them not being able to give as much as you do in same things or in the same measure.
Surprisingly, you may find they give more than you do in other things. For instance, you may have a friend who isn’t emotionally expressive, but is the one who goes beyond for you when it comes to your business. Learn to accept people how they are.
3. Be Consistent
We often take for granted the importance of consistency, but it’s vital in business or personal relationships. You want to be the person about whom they say, “I trust her, I can count on her.” When you have a reputation for consistency, people will entrust more things to you.
Please make it in positive areas. Be honest about who you are or what you can do. Do your best to be consistently kind, productive, and supportive. Let people know you as someone who keeps her word. No gifts or substitutes can replace this when it comes to cultivating a relationship.
4. Be Respectful
No matter how close you are to someone: friend, family or in a work setting, be respectful. Never take a relationship for granted. Respect covers many aspects, including talking respectfully to them and about them; respecting their personal space; and respecting their privacy and choices.
In the end, even with family, a person granting us access to themselves and their lives is not a right. It is a privilege we must not take for granted.
5. Avoid Toxic Relationships
Even if you’re the best person in the world, there’ll still be someone who tries to make you feel awful or who tries to control you. Avoid such relationships; it’s never worth it. There can always be another friend, another partner, another business contact. Don’t let fear keep you in a bad situation.
Relationships matter a lot; they can even help you grow financially. In the end, be the kind of person others want to be around or have on their team. These are our top tips for cultivating relationships that matter. What are yours?