Five Reasons Why People Would Make Good Friends
No matter how great your natural charm, being a good friend takes practice and commitment. While the list of admirable traits can be easy to recognize, the hard part is honing the skills themselves. At the heart of it, people who are considered good friends have an uncanny ability to be invested in the welfare of other people.
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Unselfish
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It is essential to the health of any relationship to understand and serve the needs of the other person. People who contribute to their friendships are viewed as assets. On the other hand, if you are always on the receiving side, it will not be long before dissatisfaction sets in. Ask questions to figure out what areas your friend needs help or encouragement in. As you show yourself to be genuinely interested in their welfare, others will usually respond by doing the same for you.
Good Listening Skills
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Most of the information we get about another person is through listening. Unfortunately, while people often give the appearance of listening, most are not paying close attention or retaining the information. It is estimated that we remember 25-50 percent of what we hear, according to Mind Tools. Brush up on your active listening skills by focusing on what the other person is talking about, dismissing your own distracting thoughts, and letting your friend talk without interrupting.
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Honesty
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Honest, open communication is the backbone of great friendships. Often times it can be difficult to come clean about your feelings to a friend, but in the long run, you will garner their respect and trust. It is also important to use the truth responsibly, as it is not a license to be critical and rude. Carefully evaluate whether the information you are sharing is truly important and beneficial to the relationship.
Trustworthy
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In a culture saturated with the latest gossip, it can seem normal to talk about a friend to others. However, being able to be trusted with personal information can make or break a relationship. While there are tidbits that are considered harmless to share, consider a few things before you disclose information about someone else. If it is negative, personal, or told to you in confidence, keep it to yourself.
Mature in Conflict
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Every relationship encounters some sort of conflict. How you deal with the unpleasant moments will determine the life and strength of your relationship. Good friends will need the maturity to keep the bigger picture in mind. If your primary interest is preserving the friendship, it will be easier to admit your own shortcomings, be empathetic and forgiving, and keep disagreements in perspective.
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