How to Build Bridges
Whether you are trying to build a personal or professional relationship, the following tips will help you build interpersonal bridges.
Instructions
- Step 1: Listen Take time to listen to the other person. Do not attempt to dominate every conversation.
- TIP: Don't insist on winning every argument or on always having the last word.
- Step 2: Forgive Be willing to overlook faults in the other person.
- TIP: Remember that you, too, have faults.
- Step 3: Seek out mutual benefits Don't approach the relationship as a source of gain for only yourself; instead, seek out mutual benefits.
- Step 4: Look for common ground Seek out common ground. This will establish mutual expectations.
- Step 5: Use humor Use humor to smooth over rough moments in the relationship.
- TIP: Remember that life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.
- Step 6: Stay spontaneous Keep the relationship spontaneous. Don't let the monotony of life's day-to-day challenges bring you down. Instead, try something new! Enjoy your relationships!
- FACT: The first psychological experiment was conducted around 700 BCE in Egypt.
You Will Need
- Listening skills
- Ability to overlook faults
- Mutual expectations
- Common ground
- Humor
- Spontaneity
