54. Absence doesn’t make the heart grow fonder, this does

We’ve all heard that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but in truth spending specific amounts and types of time together is what makes close.

friendship, connection, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordSeptember 12, 2022Comment

52. Lessons on connection from babies and a bad job interview

If you’ve ever spoken to someone who was expressionless, you know how disconcerting it can be. Responsive body language and facial expressions play a big role in connection.

connection, relationship-building, friendshipJessica GiffordAugust 22, 2022body language, nonverbalsComment

50. Mark important milestones. It will strengthen your friendship.

It feels good to make progress on something important to you, but it feels even better when other people recognize and celebrate those milestones.

friendship, connection, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordAugust 8, 2022milestones, progressComment

44. Make a memory

If you feel like the days are going by in a blur with little to set them apart, try making a memory with a friend to break out of the routine and bring you closer.

connection, friendship, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordJune 20, 2022Comment

43. Three Reasons to Accept Compliments

Practicing receiving compliments (gracefully) can change the way we see ourselves, help build confidence, and strengthen connection between you and the compliment-giver.

connection, relationship-building, friendshipJessica GiffordJune 13, 2022 Comments

40. Set up "automatic recurring connections" and relieve loneliness

Making friends, and having real connection in our lives, has gotten hard. It takes work. If we want to reduce loneliness, we need to make connection easier.

connection, friendship, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordMay 23, 2022 Comments

38. Brush up on your social intelligence skills

People with high social intelligence have stronger relationships, better mental and physical health, are more likely to be promoted at work, and have greater life satisfaction. Here’s how to hone your SI skills.

connection, relationship-building, relationshipsJessica GiffordMay 10, 2022Comment

37. Apologize well (and avoid these common mistakes)

Apologies can make a relationships stronger, or destroy them. This post explores the good, bad, and ugly when it come to apologies.

36. Implement Check-ins

Mutual sharing increases liking and closeness … and this simple exercise helps people share easily.

33. Laugh: 6 ways to increase your LQ (Laughter Quotient)

Did you know that laughing reduces loneliness (as well as a whole host of other benefits)? Here are some ideas to up your laughter game.

connection, happiness, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordApril 4, 2022laughter Comments

27. Attend to "bids" for connection ... it's a key behavior in healthy relationships

Responding to “bids for connection” is a key behavior that sets healthy relationships apart from unhealthy ones. What’s your response style?

26. Give a Great Compliment

Giving compliments strengthens connection and boosts mood. So why don’t we do it more often?

relationship-building, friendship, connectionJessica GiffordFebruary 14, 2022Comment

24. Initiate, invite, involve

Do your friendships feel reciprocal? When you initiate connection it helps broaden and strengthen your social circles.

friendship, relationship-building, connectionJessica GiffordJanuary 31, 2022Comment

22. Increase Your Awkward Tolerance

The number one predictor of long-term success—in business, art, and relationships—is the amount of discomfort we’re willing to endure. This activity will help you build your awkward tolerance.

relationship-building, connection, friendshipJessica GiffordJanuary 17, 2022social discomfort, social awkwardnessComment

19. Partner up on your goals

If you’re serious about achieving a goal, an accountability partner brings your chances of success up to 95% … and builds connection.

connection, productivity, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordDecember 27, 2021goal-settingComment

17. Be reliable. Flakiness is for pies, not people.

Being reliable may not sound sexy, but following through on commitments builds trust, which is essential to the long-term health of a friendship.

friendship, connection, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordDecember 13, 2021Comment

16. Celebrate your friends’ successes

Most people think that the strength of a friendship is based on being there through hard times, but research shows that celebrating a friend’s good news is even more important.

12. Get Out of Your Head: quieting social awkwardness and anxiety

Social anxiety interferes with our ability to make connections, develop relationships, and have a satisfying social life. This strategy helps you work through it.

connection, relationship-building, relationshipsJessica GiffordNovember 8, 2021anxiety, social anxiety, social discomfortComment