Posted by Helen on Dec 08, 2016 in Older Articles
Reduce Conflict: 3 Tips to Better Relationships
What makes us enjoy someone’s company? Is it that they make us smile, provide support in times of need, or the commonalities we share? It’s all of these things and much more.
Happy, harmonious friendships, work interactions, and romantic relationships occur when we meet each other’s needs. Here are 3 simple things you can do to build and maintain great connections with others:
- Help people feel Significant
No one likes to feel as if they or their ideas are unimportant. Make sure the people in your life know that they are important to you. Even something as simple as telling an acquaintance “I’m really glad we did lunch, it was great seeing you” can help someone see how meaningful they are to you.
- Help people feel Competent
Few things in life are worse than feeling inept or ignorant. Help the people in your life find or recognize their talents. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like to hear a meaningful compliment like “You always have great insights” or “I know you put a lot of work into this and it really shows. Great job!”
- Help people feel Likable
Affirming that your friends are liked for who they are is powerful. It’s scary to open up to others because we are often (subconsciously) afraid of not being liked. Let the people in your life know that in spite of (or maybe because of) their quirks or mistakes, you enjoy their company and find their presence in your life valuable.
One of the most powerful ways to avoid and manage conflict is to foster another’s interpersonal needs by helping them feel significant, competent, and likable. Want to learn more? Join me for an evening of insights into human behavior in Cut through Conflict! Learn to Resolve it & Build Trust. Before the holidays, you might want to jump into the session December 14, 2016 session!