Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts.
And we are never, ever the same.
Unknown
Relationships of all kinds are often viewed as very delicate and fragile things. Things that are important to us require extra effort on our part to maintain. However, a good and healthy relationship can become something that will provide you with ongoing security and can long lasting despite its many ups and downs.
Ineffective communication, poor use of resources
Does this sub-title sound like something you’re involved in? Building effective and lasting relationships is necessary for a couple of reasons. For example, in a group or organization, everyone’s well-being depends on some extent on how efficiently and effectively that group or organization works together. Additionally, the group or organization itself, is also dependent on how well the members work with their management.
An ineffective group or organization can be a constant source of frustration. A group or organization that is ineffective frequently ask a lot of their members because of their disorganization and lack of interpersonal relationships. Some of these groups, perhaps you have belonged to a few, seem to try to function as if the members have no life outside of the groups “requirements.” The people who “run” these groups frequently fail to take into account that their members have other responsibilities and need to be attendant to all of the other aspects of their lives, as well as what’s happening in and for the group.
For an organization or group stuck in this kind of scenario, relationships will eventually become stressful and suffer from relational breakdown. This means that in the long-term, not only will the people inside the group suffer, but the people or other entities who may be dependent on these groups will as well.
Common good, common goal
The society in which we all live is defined as a web of relationships. These relationships, in order for them to remain healthy, require that all parties work together and carry their fair share of the load in order to achieve a common goal.
Having a relationship that is good, a relationship where cooperation and respect are manifested, makes everything work better. In this way each member works for the good of the whole and toward achieving the common goal. The common good for the common goal. This can only be achieved with effective and efficient relationships.
Respect and communication
Being able to understand the other party’s feelings and position helps to create an effective relationship. The easiest method to understand what is important to another person is to simply ask them what they want and listen attentively to what they have to say. When the other person sees this, they develop a sense that they are considered important. They can see, hear and feel that they matter. This is one of the single most important factors in any good relationship: both parties feel that they are important to each other.
Effective relationships require that everyone be able and willing to openly express their feelings and positions on all of the matters pertinent to the relationship. It is never a good policy to make assumptions about what someone else understands in terms of your needs, and that they mysteriously and magically will give you exactly what you need without being asked.
Respect is the key to good relationships. In order to create a more effective relationship, people and organizations should treat each other with respect. You can show respect just by listening to the other person and by trying sincerely to understand how they function. You can also show respect to others by confirming that they are doing everything they can.
Respect is the very foundation for a great relationship. This also means respecting yourself as well as others. The opposite of respect is quick formulation of judgments based on unfounded facts and prejudice. Avoid this at all costs.
Respect differences. express feelings
Another key component of forming an effective relationships is to tackle differences directly. Differences between parties or people can be quite interesting to observe. For instance, as an outsider listening to a conversation between two people, you may observe that each is coming from two totally different perspectives.
Work toward a win-win solution for both parties. This can be done when everyone feels or comes to the conclusion that the relationship is important. Once everyone can meet at this common intersection, then progress can be made toward figuring out how to spend more time, effort and energy in understanding the other person’s needs and deal with it. Should they fail, it is still a comfort to know that they have tried.
Informal discussions are always good for relationships. They bring out issues and concerns in a more comfortable and less threatening way. They also help people to feel more relaxed, making them think more clearly.
Developing and maintaining and atmosphere where people feel comfortable expressing their feelings when needed is important. Be sure to listen attentively and without pre-judging the issue. When parties fail to express whatever is on their mind or their feelings, it can stand in the way of building an effective, open, honest, mature relationship.
Relationships are important to everyone. Problems and conflicts will naturally occur, and addressing the issues and problems head-on is very important in working to improve any relationship.
Because, you know… ‘No man is an Island’.
Thoughts?
Photo Credit: StephenZacharias via Compfight cc
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