What Makes a Great Friend?

Having a great friend is an invaluable part of life. Your friends are the ones who know and accept you, providing a special kind of companionship and understanding. Therefore, understanding what qualities make a good friend is essential to having and maintaining healthy relationships and supporting your emotional well-being. So what are the qualities of a good friend?

• They are reliable
• They are loyal
• They are empathetic
• They are confident
• They have a positive mindset
• They have a good sense of humor
• They accept you for who you are

1. Reliable

A good friend will be there when you need them, and they can be trusted to keep any secrets or commitments. You should be able to rely on them in a core way, even if they are running late or overwhelmed. A good friend will keep their promises and stand by you when you need them.

2. Loyal

Loyalty is an important trait in any good friend. They will have integrity, and act in accordance with their values and commitments. They will also keep their promises and always give you the benefit of the doubt. They will defend you when deserved, and never speak in a negative or judgmental way.

3. Empathetic

A great friend will have excellent listening skills, and will understand where you are coming from and how you feel. They will be able to put themselves in your shoes, and will give you the space to express yourself and help you to make sense of difficult situations.

4. Confident

A good friend will be confident in themselves and their relationship with you, providing you with inspiration and courage when you need it most. Having someone who is confident and who you feel you can trust can be the key to building a great relationship.

5. Positive

Having a positive outlook on life is an important trait in a good friend. Even in tough times, they will know how to lift you up with their positivity and outlook on life.

6. Good Sense of Humor

Having a good sense of humor will help you to make the most out of difficult times. Connecting with someone who you can share jokes with will create an unbreakable bond.

7. Acceptance

A great friend will accept you for who you are and never make you feel bad for being yourself. They will understand that different circumstances may cause time apart, but this only strengthens the connection.

We know first-hand how difficult it can be to find a good friend, but having a few core relationships that meets the above criteria is the most rewarding thing in life. At Shiken, we're here to provide best practices, research, and tools to fuel individual and business growth, as well as insights and ideas for building a high-performing workplace. Investing in your mental and social well-being today can help build a happier and healthier tomorrow.

The Benefits of Quality Friendships and How to Find Them

Having friends who have your back and celebrate your wins can be essential for good mental health. But sometimes, it can be difficult to put yourself out there as an adult, especially when juggling work and other obligations. Never fear: here are some tips to help you build meaningful connections and become a better friend.

Finding New Friends as an Adult

The first step to making friends as an adult is to put yourself out there. Here are ideas to make it fun and help you find more meaningful connections with others:

• Create a bucket list of fun activities to do with friends.
• Look for things to do that involve strangers, such as activities you already enjoy, or local events like block parties or meetups.
• Volunteer and join a group activity. These types of events often have weekly meetups and are a great way to get to know people.
• Take up a new hobby and find a group to join.
• Make an effort to reach out to friends regularly.
• Try to attend at least one social event a week.

Be Your Own Best Friend

Above all, don't depend on others for your happiness. Learn to be happy with yourself, take yourself out, plan cozy nights in and treat yourself with respect and love. Doing this will make it easier for others to like and appreciate you.

The Tough Parts of Friendship

True friendship isn't always sunshine and roses. At times, you may find yourself disagreeing or having hurt feelings with a friend. In such cases, a real friend will forgive your mistakes and remain loyal. This can require a lot of hard work and determination, but the rewards of having close friends are worth it. Therefore, be brave and honest when expressing your feelings, and don't keep negative people in your life.

Reflecting on Your Goals

Knowing what you want in life and how your friendships can help meet those goals can help you make the most of your friendships. Here are some questions to help figure it out:

• What would your ideal friendship look like?
• What kind of friendships bring you joy?
• What are your boundaries in a friendship?
• Are there any traits you look for in friends?
• What qualities do you bring to a friendship?
• What do you need to make a friendship work?
• How can you make sure your friendships last?

If you're having difficulty with any of these steps or want more help, Shiken is here to help you build your confidence, set personal relationship goals, and become a better friend. These skills will assist you in finding more meaningful connections with others.

The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Better Friend and Leader

Having strong friendships and a supportive team can give us the confidence and motivation to reach our goals. It's important that we take the initiative to nurture relationships with our friends and strive to be the best leaders we can be. Here's a guide to becoming a better friend and leader.

Becoming a Better Friend

Good relationships are built on mutual understanding, respect, and friendship. Here are some tips to help you become a better friend:

• Understand your friend's needs.
• Be reliable and trustworthy.
• Acknowledge their successes and struggles.
• Manage your expectations.
• Be understanding and non-judgmental.
• Be a good listener.
• Be supportive and encouraging.
• Accept them for who they are.
• Check in and ask how they're doing.
• Be generous with your time.
• Be honest and open in your communication.
• Be there for them when they need you.
• Say ‚Äúthank you‚Äù when appropriate.

Leadership Qualities and Examples

Leadership is an important quality for all managers to have. Here are some of the top qualities and examples that help you be a good (or great) manager:

• Be a good communicator. Take time to listen and to understand what's being said. Express thoughts clearly and succinctly.
• Be honest and respectful. Show respect in all interactions and be honest and open.
• Be reliable and consistent. Make sure employees know that you can be counted on to do what you say you'll do.
• Have integrity. Show others that you are honest and fair.
• Be passionate. Show employees that you care about your work and your team.
• Show enthusiasm. Bring enthusiasm to work every day.
• Be a student. Make sure you are always learning and honing your skills.
• Be approachable. Make sure your team feels comfortable coming to you with questions and concerns.
• Manage your emotions. Manage your emotions in the workplace and respond calmly.
• Delegate. Make sure to delegate tasks to the right people.
• Be supportive. Show your team that you are there to support them.
• Be compassionate. Show compassion and empathy when dealing with employees.

Finding a Best Friend at Work

Having a best friend in the office can be a huge help. Here are some tips to help you find one:

• Identify people you get along with.
• Look for people with shared interests.
• Find someone with a similar work ethic.
• Look for people who share your values.
• Try to find someone who can offer support.
• Get to know your coworkers outside of work.
• Take the time to build trust.
• Be yourself and let your guard down.
• Be open and honest in your communication.
• Be supportive and understanding of your friend's needs.
• Show appreciation for your friend's efforts.

Important Communication Skills For Leaders

Leaders also need to have certain communication skills. Here are 11 essential skills that all leaders should possess:

• Active listening
• Nonverbal communication
• Public speaking
• Persuasion
• Problem-solving
• Conflict resolution
• Clear communication
• Time management
• Team-building
• Adaptability
• Delegation

Becoming Your Own Best Friend

It's also important to become your own best friend and get to know yourself better. Here are some benefits of doing so:

• You'll learn to appreciate yourself more.
• You'll become more mindful of your thoughts and feelings.
• You'll be better able to manage your emotions.
• You'll become more aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
• You'll learn to trust yourself and your decisions.
• You'll find it easier to make friends.
• You'll be more confident in yourself.
• You'll have less anxiety and stress.
• You'll be more content and happier.
• You'll have a stronger sense of who you are.
• You'll be able to set better boundaries.
• You'll learn to love and accept yourself.

Recognizing and Keeping Good Friendships

It's great when you and your friends have common goals. Here are some useful tips to recognize and keep good friendships:

• Be honest and authentic in your communication.
• Respect your friend's needs and opinions.
• Acknowledge their successes and encourage them in their growth.
• Manage your expectations and be willing to compromise.
• Be understanding and non-judgmental.
• Show appreciation for your friend's efforts.