We all make judgements and think in stereotypes in order to help us make sense of our world. Therefore, the people we work with also come to those relationships with pre-held beliefs. Understanding how to navigate these to build and maintain health relationships makes a significance difference to our experience and the quality of the relationship.

Healthy relationships have a number of qualities:

Honesty – communicating openly and honestly
Respect – valuing each other’s choices and opinions, being understanding
Clear boundaries – being clear and having a shared understanding about individual physical, emotional and mental limits and limitations of role
Good communication – open and supportive dialogue, listening and being heard, saying what you mean and meaning what you say
Integrity – following through on what you say
Responsibility – each person taking responsibility for their part of the relationship
Cooperation – asking not expecting, making decisions together, willing to compromise, win-win solutions
Trust – accepting each other’s word, giving the benefit of the doubt
Safety – expressing without violence, intimidation or manipulation; respecting physical space