Especially in healthcare, whatever your job, it is likely you’re doing it with other people. Over and over again, studies have shown that the most important aspect of our lives for happiness is our relationships. Below are building blocks for strong relationships, casual, work related or significant, each of these applies; the extent of how you implement these varies according to the relationship.
- Be Kind – This one applies for all relationships. As it turns out, sometimes you may need to especially remember to be kind within significant relationships; when you’re angry with the ones you love, kindness is still called for.
- Put in thoughtful effort and time – Relationships take effort to both start and to maintain. Being thoughtful of others requires that you go beyond general kindness and get to know the other person. Remembering what is important to them and integrating this demonstrates thoughtfulness. It takes time to build up the necessary trust for good relationships. Time together nurtures your relationships. Set aside time to be with the ones you love.
- Know and Be Known – As Steven Covey wrote, “First seek to understand, then to be understood.” Be known does not mean letting it all hang out, it means be genuine and authentic. When you are genuine you can trust yourself, and others can trust you as well.
- Conflict – How do you define conflict? Disagreement is fine. When it comes to the point of being threatening or dangerous to the psychological or physical welfare of another, it is no longer acceptable. In life one has to make choices, these often require sorting out and analyzing. Remember it is ideas that are competing, perhaps even feel in conflict, not people.
- Appreciate the Positive and the Positive Appreciates – This is my favorite building block. Appreciate has two meanings, 1. To be grateful and 2. To increase in value i.e. “The stock portfolio appreciated.” This is true for relationships. What we consciously appreciate grows because we notice it more. When we express our appreciation it grows even more by reinforcing the behavior and acknowledging the person.
What is one way that you build strong relationships?
To strengthen your relationships at work and beyond, contact me.
Dina, Well-Being Coach
203.744.YOU3 (9683)
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