We all want to be valued by others. But the qualities of a great friend can help you build that kind of relationship with anyone. They’re not just the things that make people want to be around you—they’re also the traits that let your friends know they can count on you when they need it most. So what makes someone a great friend? Here are seven characteristics:
Genuine
Genuineness is the quality of being honest and sincere. It’s important because it helps build trust, which is what we need to have good relationships with other people. Genuine people are likelier to be liked by others, get hired, and stay employed longer than those who aren’t genuine.
It’s not always easy being genuine – sometimes it can feel like you’re giving away too much or making yourself vulnerable by showing your true self – but it’s worth it! Genuineness leads to better relationships with others because they know you’re being honest rather than putting on false pretenses or trying to manipulate them into doing what you want.
Caring
A good friend is someone who cares about your well-being. They want to see you succeed and be happy, so they’re willing to help when needed and listen when things aren’t going well.
A great friend goes above and beyond in their efforts to make sure you are happy, healthy, and safe. They are attentive to what’s going on in your life–not just on the surface level but also deep down inside where it counts most! Suppose a friend notices that something is wrong with another person. In that case, they will do whatever possible to help them feel better again by being there for them during hard times instead of running away from those situations altogether (like some people do).
Respectful
Respect is a vital ingredient in any friendship. Respecting your friend’s boundaries, opinions, and time is important. You should also be respectful of their privacy and space.
Respect works both ways: if you want them to respect your boundaries, then it’s up to you to make sure that they know what those boundaries are–and why they matter to you. For example, if someone starts touching or hugging you when it makes them uncomfortable (or vice versa), say so clearly! If the other person doesn’t listen or understand why this kind of behavior makes you feel uncomfortable, then maybe it’s time for them not just as a friend but also as someone who respects others’ needs, not just their wants/desires/fancies, etc.
Trustworthy
A trustworthy friend is someone you can count on. They’re honest and won’t gossip about you or spread rumors behind your back. They also keep their word: if they say they’ll do something for you, they will do it. And finally, trustworthy friends are reliable–they don’t bail on plans at the last minute because something else came up; instead, they work around those changes to ensure that nothing gets in between your friendship and having fun together!
Compassionate
Compassion is the ability to understand and care about the feelings of others. It’s not the same as sympathy, which is when you feel sorry for someone else’s situation. Compassionate people try to see things from their friend’s perspective and often help them work through their problems healthily.
Compassionate friends are there for you when you’re going through hard times. Still, they also know when it’s best only to say something or offer advice if asked directly (and even then, only if they know what they’re talking about). Compassionate people can be counted on as sounding boards for your thoughts and emotions; if something is bothering you but no one else seems able to relate, these folks will have an idea of where it came from–or at least how much weight it carries in comparison with similar situations in other people’s lives.
Loyal
Loyalty is a crucial quality of a great friend. Loyal friends are honest and trustworthy, which means they’ll tell you the truth even when it’s hard to hear. They’ll also stick by your side through thick and thin–even if that means going against popular opinion or risking their safety to help you out.
A great friend will always be there for you when you need them most, no matter how busy they may be with other commitments or life responsibilities (including nights out on the town!).
Considerate
To be a good friend, you must be considerate of the people around you. This means that when they ask for help or advice, you are willing to give it without hesitation.
If someone asks for your time and attention, then it is crucial that they feel important and respected when spending time with them. A great friend will make sure that this happens every time!
A great friend is considerate enough not only to listen but also to pay attention to what another person has said or done so they can better understand them before responding with an answer based upon what was heard rather than just guessing what might have been meant by certain words used during conversations between friends.”
Being able to give constructive feedback
Being able to give constructive feedback is a sign of maturity, respect, and friendship. If you’re not comfortable with providing your friends constructive criticism, then it’s likely that they’re not your real friends at all.
Being able to give constructive feedback shows that you care about them enough to help them improve themselves as people and as individuals. It also indicates that you have enough self-respect that if they do something wrong or stupid, you won’t hesitate to tell them so (as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else).
Being a great friend takes time, effort, and patience. It cannot be done overnight, but if you’re willing to put in the work, it will pay off in the long run!