Maintaining your identity is important in your relationship. However, it is also important for a person to leave room for their spouse's influence. Gottman says that if spouses can make room for influence, it will build respect on a deeper level. This is usually effective in addressing cases associated with difficulties due to partners' reluctance to share power (Gottman, 1999). Gottman argues that the happiest marriages occur when there is sharing of power and decision making. It is important that couples do not accept influence as an expression of negative feelings towards their spouse. Holding onto your partner's negative feelings is not good for the success of your marriage. One significant element is that a relationship needs a solid foundation for compromise. Furthermore, spouses should be able to learn from each other to build a healthy relationship. Involving your partner in important decisions leads to the development of a marriage made by intelligent couples