Building Relationships

Building relationships. Relationships are at the very core of everything in our lives. We have relationships, to varying degrees, with everyone in our lives. Our investment in our relationships is based on the type of relationship. Some relationships are personal and some are business. Some relationships are new and others are lifelong. 

There are several types of Relationships:

• Family
• Friends
• Acquaintance 
• Romantic 

While all of these relationships are important, some carry more weight than others. One thing for sure, all healthy relationships take work, both business and personal. 

Consider this…marriage is one of the most prominent relationships but very few marriages exist without a ton of effort from both spouses. Even the best of marriages are not without some challenges. As will all relationships, our efforts to work through those challenges determines our commitment to the relationship. 

Let’s face it, we do not all agree on everything all the time. That is why relationships take work. We surround ourselves with great people that love and support us. In the case of business, we surround ourselves with ethical business associates that like our product and pay their bills. 

That said, none of these relationships just perfectly exist. We build, develop and grow our relationships. Regardless of the type, they all take effort from everyone involved. When one party is more committed than the other, it is tougher to maintain a healthy relationship.

Relationships take: 

• Transparency
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Ethical behavior

All parties involved must be willing to:

• Be open with communication
• Set and respect boundaries
• Compromise
• Respect the difference in the relationship
• Be an active listener
• Commit to the relationship

Building relationships is not for the weak. To build great relationships, you have to want it and you have to work at it. Because relationships are the very foundation of our lives, it is important to make the investment. It is important that we learn to communicate effectively. Effective communication begins with the ability to listen.  

If you want more strength in your relationships, start with simply listening.