One of the characteristics of a good person is friendship. The best way to develop better friendships is to BE a friend, so the 10 qualities of a good friend are important to have (and continue developing).
But making friends is HARD. You might have lingering friendship PTSD from previous relationships. Maybe you have young kids, a stressful job, or family obligations so it’s difficult to find the time to devote to friendships. Or maybe you just feel like it’s too much effort to be a good friend.
If you’re struggling with friendship, these are the top characteristics of good and bad friends.
Trustworthy
You should be able to trust a friend. Whether it’s with your deepest secret or just how dependable your friend is, a friend is someone whom you should always be able to rely upon.
Empathetic/caring
A good friend cares about your well-being. Even if they don’t always agree with every decision you make, a friend should be empathetic and try to understand your perspective.
If you’re struggling to find good friends, sign up to get the Fabulous Friendship Journal below:
Dependable
A dependable person follows through on plans. A dependable friend is on time and demonstrates that she cares about the friendship by being reliable.
As Lisa-Jo Baker says in Never Unfriended, one of my favorite “how to guides” for creating solid friendships, while friendship will “inconvenience you,” a good friend puts the needs of the friendship first.
Friendship is WORK, but it’s well worth the effort!
Humorous
Whether your friend is hilarious or you just share the same sense of humor, adding humor and laughter into a friendship is a great quality.
Good listener
If you’re always focused on what to say next instead of actually listening and paying attention to the person in front of you, your friendship can suffer. People won’t want to confide in you, or even get close to you.
If you’re struggling with your listening skills, I loved the book, Listen Like You Mean It. It’s beneficial to apply in all areas of your life.
Loyal
Loyalty is an important trait in a friend. By being loyal and showing that you support your friend, you’ll build a strong relationship.
Accepting
Everyone is different, and a good friend cherishes your differences and recognizes that they are what make you unique.
I love how the book Never Unfriended talks about acceptance.
- Acceptance that you can’t change someone.
- Acceptance that you shouldn’t HAVE to change someone.
- And how to accept (and what to do) if a friendship is over.
If you’re struggling with making, maintaining, or ending friendships, it’s an awesome book.
Positive
Are you a glass half full or half empty kind of person? Even if you have your bad days, positivity is a good trait to have in a friendship.
Forgiving
A good friend forgives. She doesn’t hold onto grudges.
If you’re someone who has difficulty letting go of past grievances, the journal Forgiving What You Can’t Forget is awesome to help you process your emotions and begin the healing process.
Generous
You don’t have to be generous with money to be considered a generous person. Investing time, talent, AND resources into a friendship can pay off in huge dividends.
Be generous with your time and affection in a friendship.
If you want to develop better friendships, these 10 qualities of a good friend are so important.