Do you ever find it difficult to get along with someone? Most people can say they have struggled to get along with at least one person. Tense relationships can be anxiety-provoking. To avoid the stress of challenging relationships, consider integrating the following tips into your personal and professional interactions. These seven tips can improve your relationship with others. They are simple, yet powerful.
- Listen to understand. Stop trying to figure out what you are going to say in response to the person talking to you. Instead, take in the words and emotions of the person talking. This practice will help you to better understand the person talking, which promotes empathy.
- Get outside of yourself by contemplating the other person’s viewpoint. This does not mean they are right, but you have reflected on all angles of the situation. Sometimes people simply want you to consider their point of view.
- Remember your manners. Sometimes when trying to make your point, you may lose your respectful demeanor. Stop yourself here, because being rude is certainly not going to change the other person’s mind.
- Encourage others. How do you feel when someone says something nice about you? It feels good, right? It may even change your mood. Take time out to be thoughtful. We become so consumed with our own lives that we often neglect to compliment others.
- Avoid useless topics. Why bring up subjects that are going to cause problems? Controversial issues can be discussed in some settings; however, if they are not essential to the current relationship or setting (e.g. politics at work) then you’re just setting up the potential for conflict.
- Practice positivity. Avoid negative talk. Smile often. Be appreciative and show gratitude. Negativity breeds negativity, so break that cycle.
- Stop trying to change others. Embrace individuality. We all have unique views and attributes. Consider how uniqueness can improve the situation.
Your ability to get along well with others will determine your happiness and success as much as any other factor. –Brian Tracy
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