5 Essential Pillars for Interpersonal Relationships

When we talk about interpersonal relationships, we are referring to the relationships we have throughout our lives, whether they are personal or professional.

Our professional relationships are often the most complicated, because we don't choose the people we have to relate to, whether it's a boss, a colleague, clients or even our subordinates.

Even when we have affinity with the people we work with, we also need to be aligned with the same purpose in order to function optimally for the organisation.

To make matters a little more delicate, aspects of coexistence at work are sometimes not simple, due to the existence of different opinions, beliefs, values and cultures that we have to deal with.

In order to make it easier to take care of our interpersonal relationships, we need to perfect five essential pillars: Self-awareness, Empathy, Assertiveness, Ethics and Cordiality. Let's analyse each of them!

Self-knowledge

This pillar has proved to be one of the main differentiators in relationships, because knowing yourself makes it easier to deal with emotional issues that can jeopardise interpersonal relationships.

With a good dose of self-knowledge, we can analyse the impact we have on others, as well as being clear about the characteristics that bother us, so we can prepare ourselves to deal with them.

Self-knowledge allows us to more assertively mediate possible personality conflicts in relationships with our team members.

Empathy

Also known as ‘the art of putting yourself in someone else's shoes’. In practice, empathy is nothing more than analysing a given situation from the same angle as another person who is involved in that same situation.

It's important to realise that empathy goes far beyond simple concern or awareness of the need to identify with the other person. Empathy is related to Assertive Communication and a perfect understanding of the motivations of others.

An empathetic person is able to connect with those they communicate with. They pick up on information that goes far beyond what is said and identify significant emotions and body expressions in their interlocutor.

Being empathetic means, first and foremost, being a good listener and an excellent observer, as well as, of course, having a legitimate interest in helping others. So don't confuse ‘empathy’ with what is known as ‘sympathy’. Sympathy arises naturally and spontaneously, but empathy requires a lot of training and dedication.

Assertiveness

Assertiveness is the ability to communicate clearly, frankly and above all respectfully. By developing and applying this skill, we can build healthy relationships.

After all, in order to be truly assertive, as well as knowing how to listen, we also need to know how to speak, to express our wishes, opinions and difficulties in such a way that we are not aggressive towards our neighbours.

Ethics

Ethics is the set of moral principles and values that guide human behaviour within society.

Companies follow social ethical standards, applying them to their internal rules, in order to ensure the smooth running of work processes, the achievement of goals and objectives and to create good interpersonal relationships.

A good professional must follow both the ethical standards of society and the internal rules and regulations of the organisation in which they work.

Professional ethics provide individuals with a daily and productive exercise in honesty, commitment and reliability, among many other values, which guide their behaviour and decision-making in their activities.

The great reward for being ethical is being recognised not only for your work, but also for your conduct. We can be very self-aware, highly empathetic, assertive and cordial, but if we don't conduct ourselves ethically, we won't be able to maintain balanced relationships.

Cordiality

To be kind and friendly is to be cordial to people. Practising cordiality means showing consideration for your neighbour, your team and everyone you interact with.

Cordiality is that enthusiastic and sincere ‘good morning’ when you arrive at work, it's opening a door for a colleague with their hands full, it's saying ‘thank you’ while looking people in the eye.

It's the little everyday kindnesses that make our personal company desirable and make our presence pleasant for those around us.

Selfless cordiality, which we offer on our own initiative without expecting anything in return, is a facilitator of good relationships in the workplace.

In short, when we develop and apply these five pillars on a daily basis, we bring improvements to our relationships in the most diverse areas of life, such as family, love, social life, friendships and so many more.

Invest every day in the 5 Essential Pillars for Interpersonal Relationships and see the difference that will emerge in the environments you frequent. This is the best way to improve our personal development and create pleasurable, valuable relationships.