How to Be a Good Friend

Being a good friend requires good social skills but more importantly, the understanding of what makes a good friend and how to put this understanding into practice through your behavior.

There are many things, big and small, that help a friendship develop. Here are some of the one that as a communication coach, I believe to have the biggest impact.

1. Keep your promises. Nobody wants to be friends with a person who promises one thing and does another. You cannot rely on such a person, so why would you even want them around you very often? Make sure to not promise more than you can do and to always do what you promise.

2. Be a good listener. A good friend is a person we are able to talk to knowing they will listen to us. This is why good listening skills are important in bringing people together. Learn to listen in an active, participative manner, and the people you interact with will appreciate you for this quality.

3. Do not criticize. It’s difficult to be open and expressive with a person you know will judge you or criticize you. If you want to build strong friendships then practice listening to people without scorning or slamming them. It’s OK to disagree with a person; it’s not OK to make them feel like idiots for what they think or do.

4. Be positive. One of the most important roles a good friend can play is that of contributing to a positive social interaction. This is why it’s fundamental for you to be a positive and upbeat person. The better people feel around you and the more fun they have, the more they’ll want to be around you.

5. Don’t be a doormat. Despite the fact you want to add value in peoples’ lives in order to be a good friend, you don’t want to turn into a doormat. So, don’t let others use you or tool you just so they’ll stick around as your supposed friends. It’s not worth it.

Practice these simple ideas and you’ll see your social life gradually improve. You’ll have more friends and develop better friendships.