The following tips will help you build and maintain relationships:

1. Be there.  Being there mentally as well as physically is not just the resposible thing to do it also reinforces that you care and are interested.
2. Communicate. Talking is how we stay connected. Whether it's a quick conversation or a more lengthy one, make the time.
3. Listen & Learn. As important as communicating or talking is knowing when to remain silent and just listen. We need to hear what others have to say to help them change or to make changes in ourselves; to let someone talk through a problem or help guide them to the solution. The best way to learn about others is to listen.
4. Apologize. When you make a mistake, hurt a family member, overreact, misunderstand or otherwise err be brave enough and kind enough to apologize. And sincerely mean it.
5. Forgive. When you are on the receiving end of a misstep or an apology do your best to forgive. That means moving on and not bringing up the topic again. To heal when we are hurt or wronged we have to forgive.
6. Be objective. Do not be judgmental. We all have different interests, opinions, approaches and motivations. Do your best to remember that as you navigate through your relationships.
7. Be considerate. When dealing with others be attentive, thoughtful and respectful - even when it seems impossible to do so.
8. Be  generous with your words & gestures. When appropriate, smile, hug, compliment and praise. Step aside and let others shine from time to time.
9. Be honest. When we are less than honest or outright liars it takes us so much longer to reach a collective goal. Worse, we risk doing irreparable damage to the relationships that are key to our happiness and well-being.
10. Be grateful. Say "thank you" and mean it. For the big and little things.

Benefits of Maintaining Good Relationships

1. Reduced Stress. When everyone is getting along, when little to no conflict or tension is present in your relationships you feel lighter, you are free of  the stress that comes with relationship unrest.
2. Mutual Trust. We all need someone who we can truly trust and we build this trust as our relationships evolve. When faced with a health concern, a roadblock at work, a family crisis or any other event that we want or need to share with someone who understands what "discretion" means; someone who will keep it "just between the two of us" if asked. Having that person(s) to confide in can ease our burden and help us keep our stress levels down.
3. Happiness. When our relationships are in working order we are happier people. Without a problem, issue or stress to overcome in our relationships we are free to smile, laugh and be happy because there is nothing bringing us down.
4. Understanding/Empathy. We connect with others by being with others, by sharing experiences with others. In families, neighborhoods, offices, schools and communities. When we invest in building positive relationships in our worlds we relate better to others. When in a jam or dealing with a crisis, others will more readily show an understanding and have empathy for whatever you are doing through. This understanding can be invaluabe to our morale and mental and emotional health.
5. References/Recommendations. Positive work relationships help your career - whether you are looking to advance within your own office or if you move on to another job - positive work relationships can result in positive references and recommendations. People who don't know you learn of you via reputation. The relationships you have help develop what that reputation is.
6. Tolerance & Acceptance. We don't all share the same views, beliefs or take the same paths to get to a desired end. The better the relationship you have with someone, the easier it is to accept and tolerate these differences. In addition, it's easier to accept the missteps people make. The more positive relationship the more likely you will receive acceptance and tolerance when it may be needed to "keep the peace" or to move forward.
7. Support & Encouragement. A benefit of good relationships is that you always have a supportive ear when you need one; somone who will encourage you through challenges, when you are seeking a goal or following your dreams. A kind, encouraging word or the generous extension of a helping hand can be the catalyst - that little spark - we sometimes need to get going or to keep going.
8. Improved Quality of Life. Having good relationships at home, at the office, in school or when you're out and about contributes to an overall better quality of life. When we are not walking around angry, frustrated, annoyed, feeling slighted or upset due to something not going well in our personal or professional relationships life is indisputably better than if we are any or all of those things.
9. Positive Attitude. When positive stuff is happening in our lives we are generally more positive people. Enough said.
10. You're Never Alone. This may be the biggest benefit of all. In our relationships we share love, comaraderie, friendship and  laughter; we commiserate, grieve and trudge through things; we win, we lose, we learn and we improve. We connect. We do things together.