“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
1. Extend the same treatment to others that you want others to give you
If we want a particular kind of treatment to be accorded to us then we must do so the same to others. “Do unto others as you would have others do unto others”. Since we would like others to talk to us politely, then we must be polite to others. This is the basis of all relations, either professional or personal front.
2. Relations should be based on trust and respect for each other
Though maintaining harmonious relationships among humans is a bit difficult compared to maintaining harmony with animals as they are much more predictable. Our relationship with fellow colleagues or friends or relatives should be based on trust and respect for each other instead of based on suspicion and distrust. No relationship can stand on the foundation of suspicion. If we start to maintain our relationship with doubt, it can hardly stand the test of time. Relationships do not work under the stress of proving oneself time and again. No relationship can last if every time it comes under scrutiny or when a relationship has to prove itself. Respect and trust form a firm foundation for all relationships.
3. Do not start a relationship with a doubt
There is no point in starting out a relationship with suspicion. Some people look with doubt at every activity that the other person does. Just in case they prove to be untrustworthy it only tells us to be more cautious in the future. However, the experience should not make us place mistrust one and all. Our experience should strengthen our defense mechanism so that we are not taken for a ride by someone. Every person on this earth has some value built into him that we can first recognize and then respect.
4. Do not justify your wrongdoings and belittle others
Moreover, we have a habit of justifying our wrongdoings and belittling others. We tend to overlook our own mistakes by calmly saying “To err is human”. However, we are not ready to forgive others when committing mistakes however small they might be. We are never able to alter our habits due to our self-forgiving nature. That leads us to remain unimprovable and unchangeable.
5. Be strict with yourself and forgiving to others
Whereas in actual life we should be strict with ourselves and be forgiving to others. We want others to overlook our mistakes and we do not forgive others for their mistakes. As we are imperfect ourselves, we should be tender to others’ mistakes. Even though we may be perfect in many areas we should be large-hearted and kind toward the imperfections of others.
