Posted March 23, Reviewed by Lybi Ma. Some people have an easier time establishing and maintaining friendships than others. And some of us long for closer friendships or try to figure out why an existing or promising relationship fizzled out. Perhaps we forget that relationships rely on mutual interactions.
It is important, them, to examine our own contribution to the dynamics of a friendship. It is only our own behavior that we can change, and there are certain personal characteristics it's essential to cultivate to build healthy, lasting friendships. These traits fall into three general categories, each representing an essential aspect of relational behavior. If you find that you disagree with many of the statements, you may struggle to develop meaningful, lasting friendships.
Below is a description of how each trait influences relationships, organized by the realm of behavioral expectations in which it falls:. These qualities, represented by the first five traits on the list above, are related to core values held by most culturesβtrustworthiness, honesty, dependability, loyalty, and, as an interrelated quality, the ability to trust others.
These qualities, represented by the traits listed as numbers 6 to 10 above, include empathy, the ability to withhold judgment, effective listening skills, and the ability to offer support in good times and bad. These traits require personal insight, self-discipline, and unconditional positive regard for our friends. This group, representing by the final three traits listed above, includes self-confidence , the ability to see the humor in life, and being fun to be around.
This trio of traits has also been associated with overall well-being and happiness in life. Remember: Everyone brings a different level of the 13 traits to their relationships. Take an honest look at your own behaviors and see if you need to raise your "friendship quotient" to raise the likelihood of maintaining the close connections you desire.
