If you are a saint living alone with nothing but nature around you; you cannot see any human beings; you donot have a need for them around you; you are content alone, away and amongst just nature. If you are one of the above, this post is not for you.
For the lesser mortals like me, read on please.
When two people interact, it’s the start of an interesting relationship. (I am not referring to only the one pertaining to marital status: “in a relationship”)
And why is relationship interesting? Because it is the beginning of a new connection, a new acquaintance and the possibilities of it being constructive for both.
Relationships across professional and personal life are important and managing them well is a skill.
If we look at our lives, it’s a worldwide web of relationships with many many people whom we have met over a period of time. Some of these connections become passive while others remain very active, like our colleagues, our extended family, our spouse, our friends.
Do relationships need managing?
Usually we effortlessly handle relationships. And that’s the way it needs to be. However, there are times, when situations require us to consciously manage them.
When role change is required and/or role expands to handle the scenario. To give you an example, if one of your team member is going through a crisis, the professional relationship of “leader- team member” has to expand and become a genuine & empathetic “supportive colleague- colleague”.
The one thing common in both professional and personal life is the big relationship killer- Ego. This needs managing for sure.
On the personal front, relationships are more fragile because there is a lot more of interdependence, sensitivity, emotions and personal equations.
Today, I would like to touch upon the most important aspect of healthy relationships. The very foundation of relationships. Over time I have observed that healthy relationships where ever it be, whatever the situations, is possible with just one simple thing – MUTUAL RESPECT.
If we go through instances of the past where a relationship had a strain, it will most often be because either one or both did not have respect for the other.
Winning relationships are born out of Mutual respect & thrive also because of it.
What does the word “respect” really mean?
We use this term so frequently but often in the context of respect to bosses/ deities/ saints/ elders or powerful people, showing restrain in front of older relatives or the super bosses.
Respect is actually defined as “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements”.
Respect is not based on age or power equation. It is a simple acceptance of abilities in another being. It is independent of power or familial equations. If we had to only look, we will be surprised by how many good abilities each one has. Often Ego comes in the way of accepting someone else’s great abilities/ achievements thus coming in the way of respecting the other.
If one has the ability to recognise and admire any good quality in the other person, a respectful relationship begins. A not so good relationship starts blossoming.
It will be interesting to make a mental note of all the relationships that matter, even if they are currently not at the best desired state. Jot down the qualities that make one respect that other person and the next time you meet or interact with him/ her, something has already changed for the better in one’s own perspective which will shine across clearly.
