How to Build Great Relationships

Relationships are very key to the success of any business. And when you have allies on your side, there are chances that you will get much further than going about things alone. Besides that, with the right mindset and the good character, you can even strengthen a wide range of relationships in your life and take them as far as they can be. Check out the simple keys below to help you build great relationships.

1. Build trust. The key to building trust is being honest. Never take advantage of people. Don’t even let them think that you’ll do so. It’s the fastest way to ruin a relationship and even build a bad reputation.  When you are willing to let go of your own interests to help someone else, then they know that they can begin to rely on you.
2. Network. Networking is the key to building successful relationships. If you go out a lot, meet more of new people and constantly expand your social circle, you’re much more likely to meet people you match up well with, and these people have a tremendous potential to become good friends with you or even reliable partners.
3. Keep up with people.  It is  good to learn how to maintain your relationships. Keep some records of who you have networked with and check in with them every so often. If they’re online contacts on a digital network, keep up your conversations with them. And if they’re colleagues or people with whom you’ve swapped business cards, you can simply send an email, text or make a call every month to check up on them.
4.  Talk about the Things That Matter To You. A relationship becomes the strongest when two people find out that they believe in the same things and have similar interests. It is these similarities regarding values and interests that often create the strongest emotional connection.
5. Show Interest in Others. Listen to what people have to say and show a sincere interest in them. Ask questions about their family, welfare, or job. Keep track of what they’ve brought up in the past and follow up with them. People are often impressed when someone shows they’ve taken the time to remember their stories.
6. Work hard. It takes effort to build relationships with colleagues, friends, or family. Usually, people want to invest in someone who is going to provide results. You might have to show them that you can deliver before you can expect them to have your back or put in a good word for you. When someone asks for something, go the extra mile to deliver early and also take initiative to assist in ways you weren’t even asked.
7. Be There for Others. Connections between people grow firmer if they can rely on each other for support when it’s needed, whether that support means a few kind words or actions. Identify the genuinely important people in your life and then seek to be there as much as possible, at least for them.
8. Have Integrity.  Be honest with the people around you, even when this will initially hurt them. It’s more important for them to trust you than to not feel hurt. And always do what you promised. Even better, think twice before you promise anything, and only promise what you really can and you are willing to do. Trust is one of the central pillars of a strong relationship, both in your personal and your professional life.
9. Focus on giving. Practice thinking about how you can always help people in your network. They’re far more likely to return a favor than they are to go out of their way for you, especially early in your relationship.