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The need to belong and feel connected to others is one of the deepest human needs. In healthy relationships both parties feel appreciated and this results in better communication, team work, and overall business results. Below are 5 keys to building better relationships in life and business:
Be positive. Have you ever had a friend that is always complaining about their problems and is consistently negative? While it’s important to be genuine and honest be aware a negative attitude is contagious and will push people away from you.
Be candid and truthful. This is incredibly important for good long-term relationships. Even small lies can erode a relationship over time and damage your credibility.
Be polite. By saying please and thank you you’re showing both respect and appreciation for the other person. This is especially important in a discussion where your views differ. There is a saying that politeness is better than logic. You can often persuade when you cannot convince.
Under promise and over deliver. Many organizations subscribe to this saying in their customer service policy. If you over promise and under deliver you can damage your credibility.
Active Listening. Active listening is an important business practice for both entrepreneurs and employees. Research shows that people pay attention to 25 to 50 percent of what other people say and so for most people there is plenty of potential to improve communication skills.
The common thread between the above points is respect. In order to be respected you need to give respect. Respect is a basic moral value and by showing respect we prove our humane identity amongst all other people.