Positive and supportive relationships will help us to feel healthier, happier, and more satisfied with our lives.

Celebrate differences: Everyone is different. So don't expect people to think like you do.  Don't expect others to see your point of view. Accept that we are all different.

Listen: Listening is a crucial skill in boosting another person’s self-esteem. It is the silent form of flattery that makes people feel supported and valued. Listening, and understanding what others communicate to us, is the most important part of building a positive relationship.

Listen actively: Show that you are interested in understanding what the other person is thinking, feeling, or wanting. This means asking questions or restating / paraphrasing our understanding of what the other person is saying.

Spend time talking to people: In a world where we are trying to fit in more and more things in the available time, we don’t always have the time to give to our loved ones, friends, and work colleagues. Technology has impacted our ability to build real relationships, and we attempt to multi-task by texting and talking at the same time, giving the other person the impression that you are not interested in them.

Be present when you are with someone: When you are  with someone, don't be engrossed in your own thoughts and your own world.  You have to devote time, energy, and effort to developing and building relationships.

Communicate: Communication occurs when someone understands you, not just when you speak. One of the biggest dangers with communication is that we can work on the assumption that the other person has understood the message we are trying to get across, when actually they have not.
Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings that result in damaging relationships. Poor communication, or not taking the time to listen and understand what others are trying to communicate, can result in heartaches, harsh words, back stabbing and blame. Good communication can have a positive effect and make people want to know you better. 

Trust more: Trust is hugely important in any relationship.

Talk. Don't text!! Texting can lead to misunderstandings that cannot be corrected. Written words are more powerful than spoken words and can be more easily misunderstood. 

Give feedback and take feedback: While it may not always taste great, feedback can be very good for you. The ability to provide constructive feedback to others helps them to tap into their personal potential and can help to forge positive and mutually beneficial relationships. From your own personal perspective, any feedback you receive is free information and you can choose whether you want to take it on board or not. It can help you to tap into your blind spot and get a different perspective.

Empathise: Empathy is a state of perceiving and relating to another person’s feelings and needs without blaming, giving advice, or trying to fix the situation. Empathy also means reading another person’s inner state and interpreting it in a way that will help the other person and offer support and develop mutual trust. When you show people that you undrstand their position, their thinking, or their reactions, and agree with them, they will develop a bond with you.  Empathy and understanding builds connection between people.  . People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how good you made them feel by understanding their way of thinking or their behaviour.

Every relationship we have can teach us something, and by building positive relationships with others, we will be happier and more fulfilled and feel more supported, supportive, and connected.