Relationships make us or break us. From the quality of our family time to our interactions at work, our relationships are largely responsible for our success or failure. To be successful in life, you must learn how to get along with people. Here are a few guidelines to help you develop “Positive People Skills”:

• Take the focus off yourself. People who focus on themselves when interacting with others rarely build positive lasting relationships. Become a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves. Allow them to ask questions. Pay attention to the answers.
  
• Care and know a lot about others. I often say that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. All the skills and education in the world will never impress anyone as much as genuine heartfelt care for themselves. Knowing a lot about people is a real display of your care for them, and it creates a lasting bond.
  
• Don’t underestimate anyone’s value. In spite of our human desire for large-scale influence, we really make an impact on people one at a time. And we can miss some important opportunities to connect if we dismiss or overlook people we meet every day. Meet others with anticipation, and every encounter can yield positive results.
  
• Always bring something to the table. In the best relationships, both parties give and receive. To give in your relationships, bring something positive “to the table” when you meet, such as ideas, opportunities and resources. Besides giving, be willing to receive from the other person. We all enjoy the feeling that comes from helping someone else.
  
• Use conflict as a tool, not a weapon. The presence of conflict in a relationship is natural. Damage only occurs when we react inappropriately. Try to use conflict as a tool – to learn more about the other person and find a solution that serves both of you. Relationships that endure conflict become stronger and deeper.
  
• Be credible and consistent. Few things damage a friendship more severely than breaking a trust. That happens when a person is inconsistent – when his words and actions don’t match or when he stops fulfilling his obligations. Relationships dissolve quickly when others can’t count on you, so say what you mean and stick to your word.

People skills can be learned, so work at improving them. If you already have a talent for working with others, keep fine-tuning your abilities. Either way, with improved people skills, your potential for success is nearly limitless.