Most people probably don't realize it, but so much of the quality of your life is tied to social interaction and personal relationships. Having successful relationships, strong friendships, and being able to connect with the people you come across on a daily basis all play a role in having a happy and healthy life. Here's some of what I've learned about the art and science of fostering strong bonds with others.
Be a Good Listener
For starters, being able to listen is one of the best ways to endear yourself to other people. We all want to feel like we are being heard, so being able to listen to another person speak and acknowledge what they have said is the ultimate display of unselfishness. Active listening is a skill that can be learned, and it takes a certain amount of work, but it's well worth it. Other people can tell when you are listening intently to what they have to say. In turn, those people will be inclined to give you the same treatment and be willing to listen when you have something to say. Thus, a connection and a bond will be formed, creating a strong relationship, regardless of whether you are interacting with a long-time friends, a romantic partner, or a stranger you've for the first time.
Communication is Key
Along the same lines of listening is communication. All relationships and social interactions are centered on communication, be it verbal or not. If you can't communicate openly and honestly with another person, there is little hope for a successful relationship, regardless of whether it's within the context of business or pleasure. The meaning of communication is the response it elicits. Listening to another person has no purpose without being able to communicate in a way that is conducive to creating a connection and building a relationship. Communication is the key to motivating others, keeping them on the same page with you, and ultimately getting someone to do what you suggest. It's a skill mastered by world leaders, the wealthy, and those cute older couples we come across once in a while who have been together forever.
The Power of Pheromones
The impact of pheromones on relationship building offer a unique dynamic to the whole experience. Most people only think of pheromones in terms of sexual attraction or creating feelings of love, but there are countless other forms of human pheromones. There are pheromones that can make you seem more charismatic, more sociable, more talkative, more open, and even more humorous. All of these traits and more appear in part thanks to pheromones. They can make you more comfortable in social situations and thus make it easier to form connections with others.
Keep Calm and Carry On
One final key to being in social situations and building relationships is merely staying calm. Not being able to relax and stay calm will makes it difficult to listen to others, communicate clearly, and display many of the traits that may be activated by pheromones. You simply can't expect to forge a relationship with someone when just being around them makes you anxious or nervous. Think for a moment about the likelihood of a Hollywood celebrity becoming best friends with an over-the-top fanatic of their work. It just doesn't happen.
Be confident when interacting with others, and your level of comfort will in turn make them comfortable around you. This will help you develop positive social interactions with others and develop strong and meaningful personal relationships, which will you lead a happier life.