The Emotional Bank Account
When it comes to improving and maintaining our relationships with others, Stephen Covey’s metaphor of the Emotional Bank Account is probably one of the most powerful ideas ever created for the development of interpersonal relationships. If you’ve never heard of this, it basically means that anyone with whom we have a relationship with, whether it be our coworkers, family or friends, we maintain a personal “emotional” bank account with them. This account begins on a neutral balance. And just as with any bank account, we can make deposits and withdrawals. However, instead of dealing with units of monetary value, we deal with emotional units. Withdrawals Speaking disrespectfully Putting people down Acting in rude and discourteous ways Never saying "I'm sorry" or saying it insincerely Criticizing, complaining and talking about others in negative ways when they're not around Never making commitments to anyone, or making commitments and rarely following t...