<ol><li> Both can fully be themselves.</li><li>Both of you are willing to be vulnerable.</li><li>Trusting that self-disclosure won't be used against you.</li><li>The ability to be honest with each other.</li><li>Dealing with conflict productively- take the issue seriously>what's going on with her>arrive at a mutually satisfying solution>what repair work needs to be done.</li><li>You are both committed to each other's growth and development.</li></ol>

6 hallmarks of an exceptional relationship

loveandrelationships

Love & Relationships

Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends and Colleagues

<ul><li> Read in 13 minutes </li><li> Audio & text available </li><li> Contains 8 key ideas </li> </ul>

Connect (2021) lays the groundwork for exceptional relationships. Drawing on social science research and the authors’ personal experience, it shares core behaviors and actionable advice to cultivate meaningful connections – leading to personal fulfillment and professional success.

Exceptional relationships require a growth mindset – and hard work.

Think about the relationships in your life – your bonds with friends and colleagues, family members, and romantic partners. Maybe you’re not sure if they’re “exceptional” material, but you’d like them to go from casual to personal, from competitive to collaborative, or simply from dysfunctional to functional.

The authors have spent their careers teaching thousands of students and clients how to build and maintain robust relationships in a variety of settings. The role of interpersonal know-how can range from increasing well-being in your personal life to being fundamental to professional success.

You won’t, don’t need to, and can’t develop an exceptional relationship with everybody; these deepest, most authentic connections demand time and effort. That’s not to discount less-intense relationships, which provide other things we need and crave – things like intellectual stimulation, social interaction, and fun. But, as the authors point out, not every dessert can be a chocolate soufflé.

The key message here is: E xceptional relationships require a growth mindset – and hard work.

The following blinks highlight the six hallmarks of exceptional relationships, as well as the competencies and behaviors required to achieve them. Keep in mind that exceptional relationships aren’t an end state. Just like living, breathing organisms, they constantly change and develop – and, as such, they need a lot of TLC.

The key in building and keeping up your relationships lies in learning how to learn – or adopting a growth mindset. This involves honing several behavioral characteristics. The first is letting go of the idea that you know best. Second, be willing to try new things and risk making mistakes. Third, embrace mistakes as learning opportunities rather than a reason to be embarrassed or give up.

Keep in mind that your efforts might not always yield your desired goal. It takes two to tango, and if the other person isn’t ready – or doesn’t want – to meet you on your level, the relationship won’t progress. That said, your efforts are bound to fail if you don’t put in the work. You need to take an active stance and put what you learn into practice; doing will help you personalize the lessons and reap their full benefit.

So before we begin, choose four to five relationships that you’d like to deepen. As we go along, ask yourself how the content of each blink relates to those relationships. Keep a journal to document your thoughts and process – experiences pay off the most when you reflect on and try to understand them.

<ul><li> Exceptional relationships require a growth mindset – and hard work. <a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Freader%2Fconnect-en-david-bradford-and-carole-robin"> </a> </li><li> When it comes to self-disclosure, more is usually more. <a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Freader%2Fconnect-en-david-bradford-and-carole-robin"> </a> </li><li> Vulnerability arises from strength, not weakness. <a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Freader%2Fconnect-en-david-bradford-and-carole-robin"> </a> </li><li> People can change – with the help of behaviorally specific feedback. <a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Freader%2Fconnect-en-david-bradford-and-carole-robin"> </a> </li><li> Appreciate the power and range of emotions. <a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Freader%2Fconnect-en-david-bradford-and-carole-robin"> </a> </li><li> Conflict can lead to deeper, more resilient bonds. <a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Freader%2Fconnect-en-david-bradford-and-carole-robin"> </a> </li><li> Relationships are rarely linear, but they’ll keep growing if you face your fears. <a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Freader%2Fconnect-en-david-bradford-and-carole-robin"> </a> </li><li> Final summary <a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Fchoose-plan"> </a><a href="/en/nc/login?last_page_before_login=%2Fen%2Fnc%2Freader%2Fconnect-en-david-bradford-and-carole-robin"> </a> </li> </ul>

You’ve started, don’t stop!  Keep reading with Blinkist

Start your free Blinkist trial to get unlimited access to key ideas from Connect and over 4,500 other nonfiction titles . With bitesize text and audio , it's easier than ever to find the right ideas to transform your life.

Try Blinkist Premium for free for 7 days. Don’t worry, if you cancel within the trial period you won’t be charged.

Big ideas in small packages Start learning now

<ul><li>© Blinkist 2021 </li><li><a href="/en/sitemap">Sitemap </a> </li><li><a href="/en/disclaimer">Disclaimer </a> </li><li><a href="/en/tos">Terms of Service </a> </li><li><a href="/en/privacy-overview">Privacy Policies </a> </li> </ul>

Key Insights from Connect by David Bradford and Carole Robin

6 hallmarks of an exceptional relationship

CURATED BY

Related collections

More like this