Keep your friends closer and enemies closer is the best quote from Sun Tzu that means keeping your enemies close to knowing them better.
What’s most dangerous about an enemy is when they have a genuine grievance that can’t be assuaged. If someone has wronged you personally or professionally, it’s often best to forgive them – but sometimes we can’t afford to do so because doing so could be even more costly. Consider if there’s a way to deal with your grievances in some way other than revenge.
The Best Ways To Feel More Grateful with Enemies
Here are some tips on how to make sure that if someone says they appreciate something or someone they mean it: This is especially good if you have a hard time feeling grateful to enemies. Because it can help you remember all of those things in life that have made you happy.
• Write them a thank-you note! This is one of my favourite ways to show gratitude because there’s just something so personal about getting an actual letter in your mailbox instead of an email or text message.
1. Always Have an Escape Plan
It’s easy to get caught up in a heated negotiation, but you should never let things escalate to violence. And even if you do come out on top, jail time for manslaughter is probably not what you had in mind when you were dreaming of making millions from selling widgets. Instead, plan an escape route and take it at once if negotiations begin to spin out of control. A simple phrase like No deal!
I’m going to get some advice from my attorney, or I think we should walk away before things turn ugly, can go a long way toward diffusing tension. You may lose a customer, but you won’t end up with a criminal record. For that matter, make sure you always have an emergency contact handy in case you need help getting out of a dangerous situation. In many cases, that person will be able to contact law enforcement on your behalf without escalating matters further.
2. The Lesson from The Godfather
The famous line from The Godfather is a great lesson to be learned. Don’t keep people close who can hurt you. It isn’t worth it. Distance yourself from these kinds of people, instead surround yourself with those who will support you and lift you rather than bring you down. Keep close to you those that would go to sleep with dogs if they have to, but they don’t like dogs; don’t go out of their way to make friends with them, either.
Use Anonymity To Get a Leg Up
While there are lots of benefits to social media, one of its downsides is that people can often hide behind their usernames, leading to more name-calling and fewer face-to-face interactions. If you think someone might want to get even with you for something you’ve said on social media or in real life, try following them anonymously (and vice versa).
Chances are good you’ll find out why they’re so upset with you—and if it’s worth apologizing for. It could also end up changing how two of your friends interact with each other. The best part? The same goes for friends who have been feuding: Social media makes it easy to keep tabs on what they’re saying about you. But going a step further by getting a little anonymous action may be just what you need to put an end to things once and for all.
Use Common Ground To Establish Relationships
Establishing a relationship with an enemy can be extremely challenging, but if you can manage to find common ground with them, it’s possible to gain a new perspective on old problems. This will allow you to build relationships that may eventually lead to peace. Just remember that conflicts do not need to be resolved for you to coexist peacefully.
So don’t let frustration get in your way; instead, look for ways that you two can work together productively. In addition, keep in mind that enemies tend not to make good friends, so try not to get too close; it’s best to keep enemies at arm’s length if you want everyone around you to stay safe. When all else fails, follow these guidelines: Play nice when needed and never forget about respect.
Let Them Know You Care
Letting them know you’re keeping an eye on them also serves as a deterrent. Studies have shown that most people feel less committed to acting unethically if they know they will be held accountable. This works on micro and macro levels. If you’re meeting with a fellow professional regularly, you can use these meetings to make sure you are up to date with what they are doing in their business.
In addition, while they may not admit it, they will probably feel more ethical in their dealings knowing that someone is watching over them. You don’t need to go overboard here; just keep track of their progress from time to time and let them know how things are going for you. You might even offer advice or insight into some issues they may be having if it doesn’t violate any confidentiality agreements.
Show Gratitude
Appreciation is one of those things that makes people feel good. It’s a great feeling to know someone you care about feels grateful for you. Gratitude has been linked to better relationships, higher job satisfaction, and even physical health improvements. So be grateful more often! For more ways to boost gratitude in your life read How Gratitude Can Change Your Life.