Achieving a Balanced Give-and-Take With Men

Men find purpose in their work, and they feel a responsibility to provide for their loved ones. This may seem contradictory to women who want to be supportive of their partner’s career goals and hobbies, but it is necessary in a balanced love relationship. “Whole life have balance. Everything be better,” Mr. Miyagi urged Daniel-San in the Karate Kid. 1. Be a good listener A good listener focuses on the speaker, refrains from interrupting, and pays attention to body language. They also practice empathy and make it clear that their opinions are not being sought for the sake of arguing. Moreover, they’re dedicated to learning as much as possible from others, and they don’t assume they know everything. The best leaders, according to a report from leadership development nonprofit Center for Creative Leadership, are skilled in listening. They can do this by eliminating distractions, such as switching off the TV or shutting down their laptops when they’re speaking with someone. They’ll maintain eye contact and use verbal cues like nodding and leaning in to encourage the speaker to continue. They’ll also summarize what they’ve heard, which lets the speaker know that they understand. 2. Be a good provider Men find meaning in providing for their loved ones, and this is why the masculine drive to provide still exists in today’s society. He wants to make sure he can give you money, buy you things and take care of you but you need to let him do that without taking over his role. A recent Pew Research Center study found that roughly seven-in-ten adults – including women and men – say that being able to support a family financially is very important to a man’s ability to be a good husband or partner. When a man takes his role as provider seriously, it means that he is industrious and conscientious, the qualities that will help him be a great father. He will also know how to create a stable home life by planning, directing and leading his household. 3. Be a good friend You can’t have everything on one side (giving and taking) or the boat will tip. Good friendships are a balance of both. A quality friend is empathetic and compassionate. They listen to your needs and concerns without judgement, giving you the space to be yourself. They support you and celebrate your wins, while embracing your losses. Friends are the family you choose, so it’s important to keep your relationships healthy and nurture them. Make time for your friends and encourage others to do the same. Keeping strong friendship connections positively impacts your mental health. But beware of allowing your relationships to become toxic or you may run into trouble later on. You can have more than one true friend, but they should all be supportive of you for who you are. 4. Be a good partner One sign of a balanced relationship is each partner respecting each other’s individual priorities outside the relationship. This includes things like friends and family, hobbies, work, and self-growth. It is also important for couples to understand that physical closeness is only one expression of intimacy. Learning to be a good partner starts with identifying destructive beliefs and replacing them with empowering ones. It also involves practicing healthy communication, which focuses on listening and showing respect. Another key is balancing masculine and feminine energies. Male energy tends to be more assertive and action-oriented, while female energy leans toward nurturing and empathy. When these energies are imbalanced, it can lead to resentment and contempt. Achieving a balanced energy dynamic requires compromise and respect, but it is possible to achieve! 5. Be a good leader Good leaders are always looking for ways to improve, and a big part of that is listening to their team. They want to know what people think and feel, and they try to address problems or concerns promptly. They also make sure to be straightforward, even with criticism, but never rude. Being a good leader requires empathy, communication skills, vision, and integrity. If you’re working on a certain area, start with a small change or action and then ask for feedback from a friend or coworker to see how much you’ve improved. Ultimately, you’ll be glad you did. Good luck! Achieving a Balanced Give-and-Take with Men