Successfully relating to others is the foundation for personal success. Fulfillment and satisfaction in life depends on your skill and ability to relate to others effectively. Therefore, it is important that you develop and grow in your relational skills. Weather you feel like you are naturally a people person or not, people skills are the difference between success and failure in life. The good news is, everyone can grow his or her people skills with a little effort.

Here are 2 relational principles that will make a big difference in your people skills. 2 principles you need to know and live:

1. Recognize and respond to needs.

Everyone you meet throughout your day has needs. It is not your job to fulfill all of those need. It is important though that you recognize their needs and respond. The response may simply be one of sympathy, offering to pray for them or words of encouragement. This principle is found in Jesus’ words, which is known as the “golden rule”: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”  (Matthew 7:12 NLT) Imagine how different our world would be if everyone lived by this. More important, imagine how different your world, your relationships, would be if you truly lived out this principle. Notice the power of Jesus’ words; you get to choose how other people will treat you by how you treat them.

2. Always assume the best.

Think about it honestly for a moment; do you tend to assume the best or the worst of others when your expectations are not met or when you are offended? Most people want others to give them the benefit of the doubt. Remember the first principle, “Do to others”. It is important to assume the best. You will more often than not be pleasantly surprised by how others respond to you and the value that this will build into all of your relationships. Assuming the best will motivate others to acts of love and good works: “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24 NLT)

There will be a time today when you will have an opportunity to apply these 2 principles, take it and make the most of it. It will change your relationships for the better and others will recognize you as a person with people skills.