When speaking to a group of people you want them to actually listen, believe and understand the message you are trying to convey. However, if you want your ideas to be respected you must first build rapport amongst your peers and colleagues.

The key to successful interpersonal relationships is to develop positive rapport with your positive communication skills.

The following are some speaking habits to avoid when conversing with others and developing their trust and respect:

Gossiping

Nobody feels comfortable trusting their private information with the local gossip king or queen. If you feel the need to talk about someone’s personal situation, try talking to them directly about any rumors you’ve heard. Spreading false information will quickly earn you distrust among your peers.

Judging

Everyone brings different life experiences to the table. Learn to value another’s point of view, and don’t pass judgment on their way of thinking or decision-making. Rather than speaking a judgment, pull that person aside and ask them more specific questions about how they came to their decision. Maybe you will agree with them after seeing things from their point of view or perhaps they will change their decision based on your conversation.

Negativity or Complaining

Nobody likes Negative Nancy or Winer forty-niner. Stick to the positive side of all situations and work to solve problems rather than just complain about them. When you feel yourself getting into a negative mindset, find a way to reboot back to positive. You’ll find that taking a walk or surrounding yourself with the positive people in your life will help bring you back into a positive light. Stay optimistic about things and people will come to you for help with positive solutions.

Making Excuses

Placing blame on others and not taking responsibility for a situation is a hug turn off for most people. When you have defined yourself as a “stand up person” and accept responsibility for problems, you will make great gains with the respect of others. Once you take responsibility for a problem, you can move onto a solution. Making excuses doesn’t gain you respect, and surely doesn’t solve the problem at hand.

Exaggerating

Building a reputation as someone who exaggerates is a surefire way to devalue your character. When you present something different from it is in “real life”, people will not truly understand what you’re trying to convey. Adding exaggeration to your argument isn’t going to gain you popularity once people start to see and understand what you’re really talking about.

Avoid these simple mistakes and you will grow your interpersonal relationships in work, life and people will start trusting your spoken word as truth!