52. Use responsive facial expressions. What I learned about connection from my WORST job interview.

If you’ve ever spoken to someone who was expressionless, you know how disconcerting it can be. Try it! Talk to someone and ask them to keep a completely neutral expression. Facial expressions give us feedback that’s vital to connection.

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

51. How to avoid being annoying

Have you ever felt trapped in a conversation you desperately wanted to extricate yourself from? Chances are the other person wasn’t picking up on your nonverbal cues.

relationships, friendship, connectionJessica GiffordAugust 15, 2022body language, communicationComment

50. Recognize progress. It strengthens employee connection.

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

49. Three reasons to have more fun

Fun acts like social glue … so why is it so hard to prioritize?

friendship, connection, relationshipsJessica GiffordJuly 25, 2022funComment

48. De-stigmatize loneliness. If you're lonely, you're not alone.

The stigma and silence surrounding loneliness only makes us lonelier. If you’re lonely, you’re not alone.

connection, belonging, lonelinessJessica GiffordJuly 18, 2022 Comment

47. Connect with nature

Connecting with nature is something we can do on our own. And experiences of awe--often inspired by nature--increase feelings of connectedness to others and to humanity more broadly.

connection, mental health, wellnessJessica GiffordJuly 11, 2022aweComment

46. The impacts of feeling unwanted and Roe vs. Wade

Heads up – today’s post explores opinions related to Roe vs. Wade and the impact this decision has on connection and mental health.

friendship, connection, belongingJessica GiffordJuly 4, 2022Comment

45. Match in-person social time with online time. (Your smartphone may be making you lonelier).

Is spending so much time online eroding our in-person social skills? Connecting with people IRL has huge physical and mental health benefits.

connection, friendship, lonelinessJessica GiffordJune 27, 2022social mediaComment

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

42. Practice Generosity

Most of us think that spending money on ourselves will make us happy, but the research shows that spending money on other people—or engaging in other acts of generosity—gives us a bigger boost in happiness.

connection, friendshipJessica GiffordJune 6, 2022generosityComment

41. Engage in Social Action. It's an antidote for hopelessness

With so many terrible things in the news, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and pessimistic about the state of the world. Engaging in social action—even micro-action—can help.

connection, mental health, resilienceJessica GiffordMay 30, 2022Comment

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

39. Psychological safety: the precondition for connection

Google discovered the secret ingredient that sets high-performing teams apart … psychological safety. This post describes how to build it in teams and relationships.

connection, belonging, productivityJessica GiffordMay 16, 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