The world is a big place, and what happens tomorrow or who we meet in the future is not something we can know or work out and plan to know. And since we don't know either where we are going to be in the future or who is going to be our helper in difficult situations, it is therefore a good thing that we stay on the good side of people. For whatever reason, this may be so, you are yet to find out as you read this blog on.
What Does It Mean To Be On The Good Side of People
When it is said that you are on someone's good side, it shouldn't mean that you are pretending, trying to please someone, or allowing others to disrespect you. What it really means is that:
- You are treating people with respect
- You are being fair and honest in the things you deal with
- You avoid unnecessary conflict
- You show empathy because it doesn't cost you anything
In our daily lives, in our workplaces, our online platforms, in our business, and even among our family, how we treat people leaves an aura that speaks for us when you are not around them, present or absent.
A Lesson I Never Learnt From The Book: My Personal Experience
I once left a job in my early working life. It is usual; I am not the only one who has left a workplace before; many people do. What never occurred to me was the fact that I would ever cross paths with my former supervisor again. It never once did come into my mind, but years later, during a completely unrelated opportunity, that same person turned out to be part of the team making the decisions. It is indeed a big but small world we live in.
What gave me that job wasn't only because I was hardworking and never complained, but also the fact that I left a good name behind and was on good terms with everyone.
You see, if it hadn't been for the good conduct and good relationship I had with everyone, including my supervisor, I don't think I would have won my next job.
The Good Reasons Why You Must Try To Be On The Good Side Of Others
1. You Never Know Who Will Help You Open The Next Door
One of the good reasons, which is also the strongest reason why you should stay on the good side of others, is that we are uncertain of tomorrow.
You may truly not know:
- Who will recommend you for a job
- Who will become your boss or client in the future
- Who will speak well or badly about you when you are not around?
You may as well be not know this, but a LinkedIn study on networking proves that over 70% of job opportunities are filled through connections rather than public applications.
2. Being Good to People Safeguards Your Reputation
When you are on the good side of others, it is hard for someone else to speak badly of you when you are not available. The people who will protect your name will
- Remember how you handled disagreements when they occurred
- Remember whether you were fair enough to them when you had power
- Remember how you treated them when you did not need anything
Your reputation matters a lo especially when you find yourself stranded looking for a job in an environment where your mates have been.
3. It Reduces Daily Stress and Conflict
Choosing to stay on the good side of people does not help the people around you, but it also helps you. In what way does it help you?
When you avoid unnecessary hostility or pride:
- You barely or less experience any emotional tensions
- You save for yourself the energy that would have gone into a conflict
- You remain calm both personally and in the environment in which you work.
This helps you reduce some stress because you are not in the first place giving yourself the chance to stress yourself or get into a conflict.
4. Kindness Often Comes Back When You Least Expect It
- When you are kind to people, they are more willing to
- Help those who treated them well
- Be patient with people they respect
- Offer second chances to those who showed understanding
Even reading it in Forbes business studies, trust-based relationships lead to better long-term outcomes than purely transactional ones. When people feel they're respected or you respect them, naturally, they want to reciprocate. I might be talking for all people, but it is a feeling that I myself can't escape.
5. It Makes You More Influential Without Trying
Being influential without having to try is having people learn from you, listen to you, follow you, and enjoy your company without you putting in much effort or forcing them to. This is a result of being on the good side of people. It actually gives you.
- The credibility
- The social capital
- And the moral authority
You are respected; at the same time, people look up to you and want to use you as their role model. Like a super role model.
Does Being On The Good Side of People Mean You are Weak
This is important and needs clarification. Many still feel that staying on the good side of people means
- Accepting faults when you don't have to
- Avoiding boundaries that you do not need to
- And agreeing with everyone even when you know very well that they are wrong
I have felt this way before, and I am talking from my own experience. You know, you can be among the strong ones and not be weak. And for your information, people often respect those who stand their ground calmly more than those who react emotionally.
In case you want to know
What Are The Small Habits That Help You Stay on the Good Side of People
You do not need to do big stuff and do the impossible beyond people's expectations to be on their good side. What must you do?
- You must listen more than you speak
- Apologize to people when you know you are wrong and the fault is with you
- Do not gossip about people; it is very irresponsible of you
- Do not be nice to people and badmouth them in their absence
- If you find yourself in a work environment, be punctual and reliable
- Speak respectfully to people even when you are in disagreement with them
These habits cost little, but over time, they compound.
Why Is This Important At All?
A lot of people seem not to care. My life is my life after all. Why do I need to be on someone's good side at all? This is what some people actually end up saying each and every blessed day. But think about it, if one day you want a bigger position that will require votes, that one person you don't need in your life can cost you those votes.
It is therefore not about being the lion or the king of the jungle. What you must truly care about is the fact that you are thinking about your next generation. Will your bad name and pomposity be good to their growth? If it will hurt them, or hurt you, or cause any harm, emotional or physical, to the people around you, or your loved ones, then put that pride aside and start living in a way that will benefit a good number of humanity.
The final take
Understand How Life Works
Being on the good side of people is not about manipulation or fear or your preferences. Being on someone's good side is about you understanding how life works.
You may have caused someone pain and forgotten, but people rarely forget how you made them feel. Respecting and being on the good side of others brings you a lot of opportunities in the future, you have peace of mind, and you will have a strong reputation through strong recommendations.
Author note
This article is written from observations made in real life, experience in workplaces and with people, and insights supported by psychology and career research.
Discover more: Read from our #Lifestyle #Awareness #The Diary #Guides Categories
You can read also:
Someone Asked Me What We Came To Do On Earth And I Didn't Know The Answer to Give
