How To Create Harmonious Relationships When You Have Different Standpoint 

Here’s the thing. We have different upbringing, perceptions and beliefs. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have harmonious relationships. In college, you would meet people from different walks of life. And yes, it is possible to have opposing views. The question now is, how are you going to build a good relationship with people far more different from you?  

If you want to learn the tips, here are some that have helped us over the years. These are not just to survive college but even as you go out of the university.  

Acceptance  

This is the first step if you want to have a harmonious relationship whether as friends or more than that. You need to understand that we have differences but that doesn’t make you better than the other. Once you embrace that fact, it will be easier to be more objective when talking to other people.  

Communicate At The Best Time  

Most of the time, we get into an argument not because of bad timing. Perhaps, a person is not in a good mood or highly emotional to talk about certain topics, especially sensitive ones. This can cloud your judgment and you would often say things that you don’t mean.  

The trick here is to gauge your emotions. See if you can be objective when having a conversation. Likewise, always ask the other parties if they are comfortable talking at the moment. If they want to have more time to let their emotions die down, then so be it. By being less emotional, you can have a more substantial and valuable conversation. 

Always Listen   

A good communicator is more than just being articulate. You need to have excellent listening skills. The only way you can properly respond back is if you listen to what the other party is saying. If there are things that confuse you, ask them to repeat it or confirm your understanding.  

Apologize If Necessary  

When you think you’ve hurt anyone because of your actions and words, apologize right away. You should acknowledge your mistakes and be sincere when doing so.  

If you are at the receiving end, also accept the apology and don’t take it against the person. Again, we have different environments that lead us to having various beliefs.  

Learn When To Leave The Conversation 

For example, if there is a heated conversation amongst your classmates, it’s best if you leave for a while. Ask everyone to take a break. If you are in the middle of making a project, you can initiate small games to lighten up the mood.   

Don’t Take It Personally  

The truth is, not everything is about you. When somebody is sharing their views that are different from yours, it doesn’t mean they attack you. They might sound like they do, but in most cases, they don’t. 

Look For Your Similarities   

We’ve seen a lot of people judging a person based on their beliefs and they already form this idea that they will not get along well. But why don’t you give it a chance? Perhaps, you have differences in politics or religious beliefs. However, take a look at other aspects of your life. You might have the same interests whether about books, history, movies and the likes.  

When forming a relationship, a person doesn’t have to be your clone. Just imagine how boring our lives would be if that’s the case.  

Practice Empathy  

At the end of the day, it’s all about being empathic. If you want to have a good relationship with other people, you also need to put yourselves into their shoes. That’s one of the best ways you can understand their views. And when you know them by heart, you can also share your stand without offending them.  

Harmonious Relationships, Where Can You Use It?  

If you’ve searched “harmonious relationships” on Google, most of the articles are about romantic relationships. In reality, college students can take advantage of knowing the techniques on how to build harmonious relationships. 

You can use it when you join university clubs or organizations. It’s also beneficial if you need to finish group work. Likewise, you can establish rapport with practically anyone while at the university. And lastly, you can use the network whenever you look for a job or establish a business.