Couples Who Truly See Themselves As A Team Do These 11 Things On A Regular Basis
PeopleImages / Shutterstock It may seem like common sense that being in a partnership means you are working as a team. However, for some, giving up the need to control everything can be hard. It’s not easy to surrender and put trust in another person to help you along the way. In a healthy relationship, teamwork is essential.
Teamwork is essential for a strong relationship. Working as a team demonstrates that you and your partner are united in facing any problems that may arise. Whether it’s relationship-related or not, these couples have each other’s backs no matter what. They are willing to compromise. While it can be hard to let go of total control, becoming a team with your partner will make your relationship special. You will be unbeatable when you work together. Doing these things regularly shows that you and your partner make the perfect team.
Couples who truly see themselves as a team do these 11 things on a regular basis
1. They communicate clearly
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Clear communication is essential in a relationship. Couples who work well as a team always explain themselves and their feelings to one another. There is no room for misunderstandings. When a couple works as a team, they can openly express their wants and needs. They listen to one another and provide whatever support they can.
These couples communicate their schedules clearly. Since they’re a team, they always know what the other is up to, so they can provide any help they need. They share their feelings, focusing on how they can help the other person. By communicating calmly, couples can work better as a team and avoid misunderstandings.
2. They share responsibilities
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Getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of life can make it easy to fall into a routine. Sometimes, these routines have one partner doing more tasks than the other. Whether it’s because of work or parenting, it can be difficult to show up for one another equally. When a couple works well as a team, they share these important tasks. They use their ability to communicate clearly to talk through what they need and how to achieve it.
A space where couples can get caught up in the unequal division of tasks is at home. One person always seems to do more of the cleaning and cooking. However, working through household chores as a team strengthens relationships. Tensions run high over the tasks that need to be completed. Doing these things together prevents arguments and strengthens relationship satisfaction.
3. They offer help to one another
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One way a couple can work successfully as a team is by stepping up and offering help when they see their partner is struggling with something. They want to help make things easier for them. Whether it’s taking on more household chores or providing more emotional support, they know the importance of being there when the other is feeling low. They ask them directly what they can do to make the situation feel lighter.
"You must never dismiss or invalidate what they’re saying or how they’re feeling, as ultimately everyone experiences different emotions in various ways, and there’s no right or wrong way to deal with it," relationship expert Charlotte Johnson told VeryWell Mind. Couples who work as a team recognize the importance of listening and providing help for their partner. Through thick and thin, they know they can rely on one another.
4. They support each other’s individuality
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It’s easy to lose ourselves in relationships. Taking on the other person’s wants and interests comes naturally. When we care deeply for someone, we want to be the best partner we can to them. We may think that mirroring them, or becoming more of a unit instead of an individual, is the way to maintain a happy partnership. However, people who work together as a true team know that keeping individuality is just as important to their bond.
To prevent this from happening, couples who work well as a team know they need to maintain their friendships outside of their union. They also encourage one another to pursue their interests and practice their hobbies on their own. Spending time doing the things they love outside of the relationship makes each person happier. You can work best as a team when supporting your own individuality.
5. They try new things together
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While maintaining individuality is important, so is coming together as a team to try new things. One study found that maintaining a spark leads to happier relationships. It showed that couples who tried new and exciting things together were overall happier than couples who stayed stagnant. Working together as a team to find activities to do together strengthens bonds. All couples need time to disconnect from the world around them and take time for one another.
Trying new things results in an increase in quality time spent together. Hanging out and doing an activity that brings you both joy is essential. We may associate teamwork in a relationship with tackling the bad things together, but it is also about spending quality time.
6. They de-escalate conflict
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As much as we hate to admit it, every relationship deals with conflict. No one is perfect, and disagreements are bound to arise. What sets couples who work as a team apart from others is their ability to de-escalate moments of disconnect. They not only try to avoid conflict, but when it happens, they can talk through their issues successfully, resolving all tension.
Couples who work as a team use repair techniques to talk through the tough stuff. “When the conversation gets too hot, couples can work to restore warmth by using something called a 'repair technique.’ Repair techniques occur when someone recognizes that harm, even if unintentional, has been caused during a rift. Once they recognize it, they will do something to let their partner know they don't want to fight,” says Elizabeth Earnshaw, MA, LMFT, CGT.
7. They always have each other’s backs
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No matter how well-loved someone is, issues outside of the relationship happen. Whether it’s a mother-in-law who is difficult, or a tense moment between your partner and child, a strong couple always has each other’s backs. It can be hard not to get caught up in the drama your partner may be experiencing. Couples who work together as a team always back up their partner, no questions asked.
Partners need to validate each other’s feelings. When one person feels upset about something, the other needs to have their back and support their feelings. This, of course, does not mean ignoring or excusing bad behavior. However, working as a team means holding the line together, through thick and thin.
8. They plan for the future together
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Looking ahead strengthens a relationship. Getting through the little things each week can feel overwhelming. From balancing work and home life, the daily grind is exhausting. Couples who view themselves as a team are constantly planning for the future. Not only is it a sign that they are going to stick it out no matter what, but it also gives them something to look forward to.
“Yet the truth is that futurizing with your mate is a healthy activity that will make you both happier, because as you look at the future, you’ll be creating things to look forward to, and that’s where happiness comes from,” says Barton Goldsmith, Ph.D. One thing that successful relationships all have in common is that the couples in them make plans for the future, both near and long-term. Making plans builds a bond and a stronger sense of security in our hearts.”
9. They value trust
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Trust is everything in a relationship. Couples need to know that the other person is someone they can rely on. Those who truly see themselves as a team find comfort in knowing they never have to worry about what the other person is doing. They trust one another to be there and be honest. These couples work towards what is best for them as a unit, not as individuals. They do not make selfish, painful mistakes towards the other person.
Having a strong sense of trust shows security in a relationship. A pair who see themselves as a team know the importance of feeling secure. They are loyal to one another and have built their love on a foundation of loving trust.
10. They can read each other’s body language
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One of my favorite things about my relationship is our ability to read each other’s body language. My partner can always pick up on when I am uncomfortable in a situation. He’ll step in if I need help or remove me from the situation entirely. It’s a special connection that allows us to work well as a team, even when verbalizing our concerns may not be easy.
Although body language is not a true language, it is something your partner can learn along the way. Learning to communicate non-verbally creates healthy, long-term relationships. Being in-sync with a partner’s body cues can create more intimacy. When a couple works well together as a team, this ‘language’ comes naturally to them. Non-verbal and verbal communication go hand-in-hand.
11. They protect each other's privacy
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Venting frustrations to others is important. It’s healthy to share your feelings with people outside of your relationship. Whether you’re looking for advice or just need someone to listen to you, it feels good to confide in others. When a couple works as a true team, they know the importance of doing this. However, they make sure to maintain each other’s privacy. They are not dishing out their partners' secrets or revealing parts of them that they are not comfortable with others knowing.
Not only do these couples keep their intimate relationship details to themselves, but they also value their partner's privacy. Since they fully trust one another, they do not go through each other’s phones. They respect that they have a personal life and allow them to navigate that however works best for them.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities, living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
