Learn To Listen

If you want to keep a strong relationship, the most important thing you can do is listen. Listen more than you speak. Blaming, insulting, and condemning one another will only end in disaster. When the topic becomes heated, don't interrupt your partner, hurry to a conclusion, or defend yourself too quickly.

Feelings need to be heard when they're struggling. In order to demonstrate your respect for the feelings underlying the words, merely nod, repeat, or say "um-hum" softly in reply. Sometimes all someone truly needs to do to feel more connected to someone else is to listen to what they have to say.