Creating Successful and Lasting Relationships

by Joseph Primm

Published on this site: January 31st, 2006 - See more articles from this month

Relationships of all kinds are often perceived as very delicate things that require a very focused effort in order to maintain.

A successful relationship is also something that can provide a very comforting sense of security and can be long lasting despite many trials.

Building effective and lasting relationships is a necessity for several reasons. For example, in a group or organization, the well being of the people depends on how efficiently and effectively that group or organization works.

The group or organization is also dependent on how well the members work together with the management.

An ineffective group or organization can really be very frustrating.

On the other hand, an effective group or organization can also ask so much of their members, that sometimes the members would have no life outside the walls of the area where they work or sacrifice the other aspects of their life just to meet deadlines. In an employee/employer scenario this leads to non-productive workers.

For an organization or group with this kind of scenario, relationships can be stressed or suffer from breakdown. People or other entities who depend on these groups or organization also suffer. Society is defined as a web of relationships, which requires all parties to work and contribute their share in order to achieve a common goal.

Having a relationship that is good, where cooperation and respect are manifested, can make society work better. In this way each member works for the good of the whole and towards achieving a common goal. This can only be attained with effective and efficient relationships. Understanding the other person's feeling and position creates an effective and efficient relationship.

The easiest method to understand what is important to another person is to ask them what they want and listen to what they have to say. When the other person realizes this, they would feel the importance given to them.

Successful and lasting relationships require parties to openly express their feelings and positions on all matters pertinent on the relationship. Assuming that the other person understands our needs is not a good practice.

Respect is the key to relationship. In order to create a more effective relationship, parties should treat each other with respect. We 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 other parties by confirming that they are doing everything they can.

The opposite of respect is quick forming of judgements based on unfounded facts and prejudice. Respect is the very foundation for a great relationship. This also means respecting yourself as well as respecting others.

Another key area in forming an effective relationship is to tackle differences of the other person directly. Differences between parties or people are quite interesting. For example in a conversation where each person listens to the other person, you may observe that each is having two different perspectives.

Work towards a win-win solution for both parties.

This can be done when at least one person acknowledges that the relationship is important. That person would then exert more time, effort and energy to understand the other person's needs and deal with it to get it out of the way. Should they fail, it is very comforting for that other person to know that they tried.

Effectively listening and no pre-judging. This is important if parties are to understand each other.

Informal discussions are conducive for all people. They bring out issues and concerns comfortably. They also feel more relaxed making them think more clearly, and developing an atmosphere where the other person can express their feelings when they need to.

When parties fail to express whatever is on their mind or their true feelings, it gets in the way of building an effective relationship and causes an undue amount of stress between them.

People should be aware that certain problems exist naturally, but should be controlled when dealing with any relationship. Human nature is one. Some of these things found in a relationship also include a history of stereotyping or mistrust, blaming the other person or party for a strained relationship, excluding the other person's feelings when focusing on a task, no clear and defined objectives. The roles or expectations of each person in a relationship at times tend to become unclear without clear and relaxed communication.

Relationships are important to anyone, addressing issues and problems right away is a must to further improve the relationship. As they say 'No man is an Island'.

Joseph Primm has been involved in research and marketing online since 1997 and is the Owner/Webmaster at http://jrprim.com, a home based Internet Business. Mr. Primm resides in Fort Mill, South Carolina, a quiet country town just a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of big city life in Charlotte, North Carolina.