Building Strong Relationships

Practical tools to build relationships and to challenge beliefs that interfere with positive communication.

Research shows when an individual responds actively and constructively to someone sharing a positive experience, love and friendship increase.

4 styles of responding:

1. Active constructive (authentic and enthusiastic)

2. Passive constructive (understated support)

3. Passive destructive (ignoring the event)

4. Active destructive (pointing out negative aspects)

Role play:

‘Hey my wife called and told me she got a great job or post’

1. That’s great. What’s the new job? When does she start? What did she say about how she got it and why she deserved it?’ (active constructive)

2. That’s nice (passive constructive)

3. I got a funny email from my son. listen to this… (passive destructive)

4. So who’s going to look after your son? I wouldn’t trust a baby sitter etc (active destructive)

Ask how you typically respond and identify what makes it hard to respond actively and constructively. eg being tired or self focused

How can you use your signature strengths to stay active and constructive? eg using curiosity to ask questions, zest to respond enthusiastically.