Is Your Relationship a Ten?
by Michael Angier
SuccessNet.org
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Valentine's Day may be over, but building and maintaining a great relationship with your special someone is an all-the-time endeavor.

Relationships are critical to success in our careers and in our personal lives. The following simple process is one you can use for ANY relationship--personal, professional, coworker, boss, friend or business partner.

If we really care about a relationship, we have to regularly check on how we're doing. We can't depend upon the other party to always tell us what's working and what's not.

Here's the sequence: Ask them, "On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate our relationship?" And then wait for the answer. If they're slow to respond, you may want to jump into the silence. Resist that temptation.

If they rate your relationship anything less than ten, ask, "What would it take to make it a ten?" Again, it's worth the wait for answers that will give you important insight into what the other person wants and needs.

Assumptions can wound or even kill the best of relationships. These simple questions can keep assumptions from hurting your relationship and help you develop a deeper, more fulfilling one.

It may seem uncomfortable at first, but it gets easier. It's often a conversation that will continue over several sessions. It's a great springboard for some in-depth discussions, so get ready for some breakthroughs.

Action Point
Go ahead and ask the questions with your loved one. Listen carefully. As we like to say, "feedback is the breakfast of champions," and using this process can only help you win.

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