22 Ways That You and Your Partner Can Raise the Respect Bar

To have a great relationship, there needs to be a high level of respect on the part of both partners.

There are some simple steps one can take to stop habituated patterns that are disrespectful and replace them with more responsible ways of relating. 

The following steps, although not necessarily easy, will enhance the level of respect in your relationship so that it can grow and thrive:

1. Listen attentively to your partner's needs, desires, and concerns.
2. Show that you notice your partner's needs, desires, and concerns by acting on what you discover about your partner.
3. When your partner is direct with requests, respond to what he or she asks for and act on those requests in a timely fashion. Leave no room for procrastination; really show up.
4. Speak words of acknowledgment, appreciation, and gratitude not only for what your partner does but for who your partner is.
5. When using humor to enliven the relationship, be careful to only playfully tease and not to wound with sharp barbs.
6. Only make comparisons to others for the purpose of calling attention to your partner’s strengths and talents.
7. Carefully spar with your partner to work out differences during the conflict.
8. When bringing a complaint, be careful not to go over the line to criticism.
9. Replace cutting sarcasm with gentle language.
10. Speak directly to your partner rather than sharing your complaints with others.
11. Banish all forms of contempt, including rolling of the eyes.
12. Omit impatient and irritable tones from your communication.
13. When your partner makes unskillful choices, be compassionate and reassuring by saying something like, “We all make mistakes and can learn from them.”
14. Validate your significant other's offerings with encouraging words, such as, ”You’re full of good ideas.”
15. Make room for your partner's style. There are many ways to get things accomplished.
16. Assure your partner that there is room for many opinions.
17. Support your partner’s choices whenever you can.
18. Acknowledge whatever level of financial contribution your partner makes to the family expenses.
19. Acknowledge how much your partner contributes to you and your family on the non-material, emotional level.
20. Be quick to offer forgiveness when your partner makes unskillful choices.
21. Tell your partner that you are proud of her or him.
22. Declare your respect for your partner in front of others.