Improve Relationships in a Personal Growth Plan
Successful Relationships – Effective Interpersonal Communications
Oct 11, 2009
Devoting one week to improving relationships has the potential to make one's life richer and happier. Life's greatest satisfactions and deepest frustrations arise from relationships, making successful relationships a goal worthy of a personal growth plan.
For readers following the Sample Personal Development Program this article contributes to week #15, improving relationships.
Benefits of Successful Relationships
There are many excellent reasons for working on one's relationships, including personal happiness and business success.
Research studies show that good relationships correlate with greater personal happiness. People who are married are healthier and live longer. Employees are happier and more satisfied if co-worker relationships are strong. Customer relationships depend on their satisfaction with the business's employees.
With so much riding on interactions with other people, it makes sense to devote personal growth effort to improving relations.
Common Relationship Problems
Learn to avoid these common issues that cause relationship problems.
- Failure to Listen – Poor interpersonal communications skills can damage relationships of all types. A very important aspect of effective communication is effective listening. Though effective listening is a skill which few people cultivate, it is one which can prevent many relationship problems.
- Unrealistic Expectations – Relationships won't solve self esteem issues, nor will a special someone bring happiness to one unhappy with self.
- Failure to Commit – Strong relationships require commitment to the relationship. Regardless of whether the relationship in question is with a co-worker, boss, customer, spouse, or lover, the relationship will face obstacles and difficulties. Without commitment to face and resolve issues, relationship issues are sure to mount.
- Dominating Conversation – Each person wants to feel valued and important. Someone who dominates conversation, making most communication activities a platform for demonstrating wisdom, wit, and superiority, is likely to be damaging more than enhancing the relationship.
Sabotaging Potentially Successful Relationships
In addition to the common relationship problems described above, these behaviors will damage potentially successful relations.
- Controlling Behavior – The greatest gift a person can give to others in a relationship is the freedom to be themselves. Dominating and controlling behaviors are not conducive to strong relationships.
- Sarcasm, Cynicism, Negativity – Though many comedians make a living with sarcasm, cynicism, and cutting wit, these qualities are not likely to enhance one's relationships.
- Perfectionism – Expecting perfection from oneself or from another is unrealistic and will surely bring relationship problems as neither party will be able to sustain perfect behavior.
Tips to Improve Relations
Avoiding the common problems that cause relationship problems will help improve relationships, as will dedication to these proactive steps to successful relationships.
- Be Committed to the Relationship – Commitment is an intentional, conscious decision to devote time and energy to a successful relationship. Intention will set the stage for building successful relationships of all types.
- Respect – All relationships benefit from mutual respect. This is true for successful co-worker, boss, subordinate, and personal relationships. The presence or absence of respect will be apparent and noticed in the body language and emotional energy used.
- Conflict Resolution – All relationships will face conflict at one time or another. The successful relationship arises when the individuals are willing to work through conflicts by communicating effectively and working from a base of commitment and respect.
Include Improving Relations in a Personal Growth Plan
An effective personal growth plan will devote attention to developing the skills and behaviors found in successful relationships, while avoiding common relationship problems.
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