Getting Along Better with Others

Getting along better with others is easier said than done. We all agree having conflicts, disputes and complaints in our life only contributes to our daily stress.

The strongest desire of most people is to be treated fairly and with respect. This is true in conflict situations. How we acknowledge each other creates foundation for mutual trust, curiosity and vulnerability.

Too often we stereotype and discriminate based on a large array of different factors such as: culture, religious beliefs, skin color, gender, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status and sexual orientation. Each everyone can make a difference in building better relationships at home, in your community and in the workplace by observing some simple tips.

First, everyone has the similar needs. Everyone has a need to understood, respected and valued. Second, we have responsibility to each other to build local and global society where people are validated and acknowledged for their uniqueness and their contributions. And third, few people do intentional harm. Human beings have complex emotional and mental systems. Each person sees world around them in different perspectives.

Positive Things To Get Along Better with Others

- Praise individuals for their thoughtful actions, talking about their good deeds. Overlook the negative and accent the positive.

- Be open to learning new ideas and ways of doing things. Encourage others to be curious. Show empathy and compassion. Remember, there are two sides to every situation, to every argument.

- Walk with someone – in motion together and let your breathing and arm movements get in sync.

- Meet in circle or round table, avoid using square tables which resemble taking sides and distant.

- Talk to person who is getting least attention in a gathering. No one likes to feel alone.

- Get to know people you meet. Ask questions and show interest in their work, their customs, their language, their disability, etc.

- Share stories and experiences. We are all interested in learning that others have similar happy and painful times.

- Avoid telling jokes making fun of others or make them look inferior or unintelligent. Ethnic jokes, and jokes based on gender, disability or other personal characteristics put down and demean people. The safest jokes are those you tell about yourself and something that happened to you.

- Smell good. Practice good hygiene. Vanilla, cinnamon and lavender are popular scents.

Step Back when Frustrated

When you can't see eye to eye with another person, having conflict is usually counter-productive. Step back, take break. Many times we react in irrational ways due to circumstances we have encountered during our day; we may be just hungry, or have higher priorities. I practice "loving words first". Say something positive before going negative. We all enjoy hearing loving words first.

Written By Coach Nick www.roingo.com