“All relationships need cultivation.” I think we can all agree with this quote from John C. Maxwell's book Winning with People. Another wise quote from Mr. Maxwell states, “It is more rewarding to resolve a situation then to dissolve a relationship.” At our recent seminar, Gary Johnson had the members of each doctor's office break into groups and answer this question, “What things can cause a relationship to deteriorate? “ Some of the answers we came up with are --
- Apathy
- Lack of effort
- Taking the other person for granted
- Unresolved conflict
- Stop listening/Stop asking
If we know what can deteriorate a relationship, then the next question we must ask ourselves is, “What does it mean to cultivate a relationship?” John C. Maxwell gives us six things to focus on.
- Commitment
- Communication
- Friendship
- Memories
- Growth
- Spoiling Each Other
Voltaire noted,“If the first law of friendship is that it has to be cultivated, the second law is to be indulgent when the first law has been neglected.
What a rich lesson. I plan on practicing the gardening principle. How about you?
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