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

11. Really Listen. Your friends will love you for it.

Giving someone your full attention and really listening is a simple, but rare, gift.

connection, friendship, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordNovember 1, 2021listening, active listeningComment

10. Start the thing that you want to join ... and create belonging

We all want to feel like we belong to something … but sometimes that something doesn’t exist. You could be the one to start it.

connection, relationship-building, friendshipJessica GiffordOctober 19, 2021groupsComment

9. Mirror. It's a secret superpower!

Mirroring can be used to build genuine connection … or to manipulate.

communication, connection, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordOctober 18, 2021mirroring, body languageComment

8. Ask for help

If you find it difficult to ask for help, you’re not alone! But being independent is overrated—we all need support. These are some ways to ask for help and strengthen your support system.

mental health, connection, communicationJessica GiffordOctober 11, 2021ask for help, ask for support, supportComment

7. Introduce Yourself to Put People at Ease

The small act of introducing yourself—or making introductions for others—communicates friendliness, helps people feel included, and even provides a happiness boost.

communication, relationship-building, inclusionJessica GiffordOctober 4, 2021make introductionsComment

6. Ask for advice or a small favor ... and leverage the "Franklin Effect."

Many people have a hard time asking for help because they don’t want to be a burden, but asking for a small favor can make people like you more.

friendship, connection, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordSeptember 27, 2021asking for help, asking for advice

5. Ask Good Questions. It increases your likability.

Being curious and asking interesting questions is at the top of the list of what makes people likable. Here are a few questions to spark interesting conversation.

relationship-building, connection, communicationJessica GiffordSeptember 20, 2021Making conversation, ask good questionsComment

4. Challenge social ideals. Trying to live up to them will make you miserable

Rosy ideals and unrealistic expectations about friendship often make us feel bad about ourselves when reality doesn’t match up. Here are some ideas for addressing the expectation gap.