- Safwan AMM
- 26 September, 2025
The Secret to Strong Relationships: Tiny Habits That Change Everything
After food, shelter, and safety, what we really crave is meaningful relationships. Whether it’s with family, friends, coworkers, or even customers, strong bonds make life smoother, happier, and more successful.
But here’s the truth: most of us were never taught how to build strong relationships. Instead, society keeps telling us—look beautiful, earn more, work harder. Yet, research shows none of that guarantees connection.
At the University of Michigan, Professor Kim Cameron discovered something powerful: people who naturally attract others and create positive workplaces all share one secret. He calls it “positive practices.”
Think of them as tiny acts of kindness, empathy, and respect that make others feel seen and valued.
What Are Positive Practices?
These aren’t big, expensive gestures. They’re simple, everyday actions that transform relationships:
- Caring for others genuinely – Smiling at the cashier in Keells, asking your colleague how their child’s exams went, or calling an old school friend just to say hello.
- Being supportive during tough times – If a coworker is quiet during the office tea break, instead of judging, you ask: “Machan, everything okay?” That small care can change their day.
- Forgiving instead of blaming – Your tuk-tuk driver takes a wrong turn, or your friend forgets to call back. Let it go. Forgiveness builds stronger trust than complaints ever will.
- Inspiring others by example – When you handle stress calmly, practice gratitude, or show integrity at work, others notice. Your attitude becomes their silent motivation.
- Finding joy in small routines – Even waiting in a long queue at the bank feels lighter when you crack a small joke and share a laugh.
These little actions are like micro-investments that bring massive returns in relationships.
Why Positive Practices Work
Cameron’s research found three big outcomes:
- People feel emotionally safe. When you show respect, others naturally open up and trust you more.
- Stress becomes manageable. Supportive relationships act like a cushion, helping people bounce back faster.
- We bring out the best in each other. Appreciation creates loyalty, teamwork, and motivation.
Think about it:
- Your colleague forgives your mistake, and you feel free to try again.
- Your partner cheers you on instead of pointing out flaws.
- A neighbor drops by with kiribath on New Year morning—it warms your heart instantly.
It’s never the grand gestures, but the small, consistent moments that make the biggest impact.
How to Start in Daily Life
Here are four habits you can begin today:
- Say thank you out loud. Appreciate people for the small things—they’ll remember it.
- Choose kindness when it’s hardest. Grace during conflict deepens bonds.
- Build small rituals of care. Weekly check-in messages, sharing lunch at office, or calling your parents every Sunday.
- Spot strengths, not flaws. Notice what people do right, not just what they miss.
Final Thought
As an entrepreneur and brand ambassador, I’ve seen this again and again: relationships are the real foundation of success. Customers return not just for products, but for the way they’re treated. Employees stay not just for salary, but for respect. Families thrive not from wealth, but from warmth.
So here’s the takeaway: be the person who uplifts others. Because when you raise others, you rise too.
👉 Strong relationships aren’t built overnight, but with these positive practices, you’ll see the difference faster than you think.
