13/07/2025
Weekly Story
How to Relate Better to People
By Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, adapted excerpts
A happy, well-adjusted person can get along with people much more easily than if they feel badly about themselves. If you are going to click well with people, start by taking inventory of your own personality traits and inquire about your own attitudes.g you accomplish is of much value unless it has relevance to other people.
It’s amazing how much we can do these days beyond the sphere of Planet Earth—far out in space—yet how little we are doing right here on our own hometown planet, especially when it concerns relating well to people. We’re really not doing too well.
Is it a hopeless situation? No!
Although there are millions of people who don’t understand others and can’t get along, there are millions who can and do. Their lives are happy and radiant. They have learned how to relate to people. And because they do, their lives are richer. Not only do they make others happy, but they make themselves happy too.
Of course, most of us do not automatically understand other people. As in every other area of life, we need to grow in our understanding. There are certain helpful insights to be learned. A person does not suddenly become a violinist, for instance, or a physician. So it is if we are going to become specialists in getting along with people. There are some insights and principles to understand and practice—and there’s no better place to start than with yourself.
A happy, well-adjusted person can get along with people much more easily than if they feel badly about themselves. If you are going to click well with people, start by taking inventory of your own personality traits and inquire about your own attitudes.
Let’s start with your self-image—your self-esteem. Why? Because the feelings you have deep down about yourself influence how you feel about others. The glasses you use to look at others are the same ones you use to look at yourself. The way you view yourself affects the relationships that you build with others.
How do you rate yourself? Here is a checklist that might give you some clues:
• Can you usually take life’s disappointments in stride?
• Do you have a tolerant, accepting attitude toward yourself as well as others?
• Can you laugh at yourself?
• Do you neither underestimate nor overestimate your abilities?
• Can you accept your own shortcomings?
• Do you have a good measure of self-respect?
• Are you able to deal with most situations that come your way?
• Is your personality marked with fear, anger, jealousy, worry, insecurity, domination, withdrawal, or manipulation?
• Do you get satisfaction from simple, everyday pleasures, or do you have to be entertained?
• Do people like to be around you?
• Are you fun to be with?
Answering these questions thoughtfully will give you some insight into your adjustment. If you have to answer several of them negatively, talk about it with a listening friend or a counselor to explore your behavior and take steps towards improving in these areas.
Understanding how you developed negative attitudes toward yourself can immeasurably change how you relate to others.