There are many types of social networks that everyone needs if they are to have a satisfying and contented life. Human beings are by nature very social creatures and need the friendship of others to feel a sense of belonging. Some of these social acquaintances turn into life-long friendships while others are of short duration.

Starting a social network always begins with Family.

Here is a brief look at how social networks start to shape our relationships.

Family:

Everyone has a family to one degree or another. If it is only a Mother or a Father, these two are the first in your social network. People forget about their family as a social group simply because they have always ‘been there’. We are all born from a social liaison of one sort or another so these two figures are the first and should always remain as important figures in your life. The relationship you have with your parents will determine how you react and interact with other people in your life.

Parents are often too careless of how they socialise with their off-spring. In some cases they treat them very badly physically, mentally and emotionally.

Siblings and other Relations:

Brothers and sisters play a huge part in our lives and it is from them that we tend to learn our negotiation skills and social survival mechanisms. This is probably why so many siblings argue and fight and wish each other anywhere but where they actually are. The good news is that as we grow up and mature, these family members take on extra importance in our lives because they have similar memories and experiences.

Cousins are the next group of family members our social network starts to include. As we say here in Australia "You can pick your friends but you can’t pick your ‘rellies". And so you will develop some kind of relationship with them even if it is just to ignore them or to include them among your best friends.

One of the sad facts of life today is that these relatives are rarely as close in distance or emotionally as they used to be back at the beginning of time. As people have become more mobilised and now aren’t tied to the same districts, towns, cities or even countries, these relationships have declined and most people would have trouble defining why someone is a first or second cousin to them. Relationships after those two more immediate family hierarchy groups have almost disappeared off the acknowledgement list.

School Friends:

Relationships have now expanded beyond family when they start in school. Everyone starts in pre-school or Kindergarten or whatever the Education system is in your country. At this level social skills are based on friendships originating from a child’s nature. As a person progresses through the school years, they will base their friendships and social networks on any number of factors.

The common link here in these friendships is that they all require good social negotiation skills to get and to survive these friendships. This is training for life outside the safety of an Educational institution and can often last until a person dies. Once people leave the Education environment and start to earn their own living, all the social network skills need to be in place to survive and prosper throughout their lives.

Workplace Social Skills:

These are originally based on previous skills learned and mastered as a way of getting along with people. If a person is not a compatible team member, then the workplace becomes unpleasant and unproductive.

Small Business Social Skills:

Having a good social network can be a survival lifeline for small businesses that are well-respected and liked in their business community.

Personal Relationship Skills:

Will depend on the ability to love which is first learned in the family environment and on the social skill to compromise.

Life is a series of challenges and compromises. Knowing how to turn a challenge into a positive outcome for all involved will determine whether or not you have mastered good social networking skills.