Dear friends, we have seen in earlier articles about the basics, stages, types, importance and advantages of interpersonal relationship. If you have not yet read those articles I kindly request you to read them.
In this article, we shall see 12 tips to develop and
maintain interpersonal relationships. These
tips are so much helpful when it comes to connecting with people. If you can
practise these tips with the people around you, your professional, as well as
private life will be improving a lot.
Let’s see the tips one by one.
1) Appreciate: Always try to find the good in others
and if you find that one or two good things, appreciate it. Be curious and use
some kind words and praise people. Learn to say a nice thank you whenever
someone does something for you. Welcome them nicely when people visit you. If
you make others feel good then they will show goodness towards you too.
2) Be a good listener: This is one skill which will be helpful
for the rest of your life. Try to be a good listener because everyone needs
someone they can vent to or just share when they have something to say. Try to
make them feel comfortable by actively listening to them. Your friends and
colleagues will appreciate this fact that you listen to them. It will help you
in the long run.
3) Communicate
effectively: See how
you say things and make sure that the other person gets a clear idea to what
you're saying. This will help get rid of misunderstandings.
4) Be funny: It is often said that if you can help
someone with a smile, you have a moral obligation to do it. So, make them
smile, they will love to be with you. Use your sense of humour as an effective
way to do it.
5) Don't Complain: Don't be someone who complains all the
time, you will be nothing but a fool and for some people 'sympathy gainer'.
Even if you want to do it, just do it in front of your close friends and
family, but still keep it short.
6) Observe the people whom you know relate well with
people and know what you really like about them. Is it the body language? The
pacing of their talk? Do they ask how
you are doing? Do they pay attention to
you? Etc.
7) Practice it. I work as a teacher, so I meet a number
of students and their parents. I practice number 1 with them. When it feels
awkward, I take note and try again. It
is said practising makes a man perfect.
8) Be genuinely concerned and interested in the other
person. It removes the nerves you feel.
9) I have a "script" Before I talk, or call a person, I write
what I want to say and I structure them. I have an arsenal of what to say in
social situations. I hate small talk, but I still make the effort since I want
to improve my skills.
10)
I laugh at myself and continue to love myself:
when it feels awkward
I laugh. When it feels awkward, I reassure myself that it's okay. No need to
pressure me.
11) Observe people and learn more: Observe. Copy. Evaluate. Observe again. Copy. Evaluate. The
more interesting things you know, the more interesting you are.
12) Appreciate silence:
Sometimes, being
quiet and listening to the other person is an interpersonal skill itself. Some
people love to cut people when they are talking. But when you zip your mouth
and listen to what the other person has to say, you are practising a highly
prized skill not everybody has.
So, friends, I hope
these 12 tips will surely help you to develop and maintain interpersonal
relationships. If you find it very
useful, please share it with your friends and relatives so that they also gain
something.