Proactively develop connections by finding common ground, asking questions, listening deeply, sharing yourself vulnerably, and following up.True bonds require consistent investment and reciprocity over time.

Cultivating Social Connections

We are wired for connection. Positive relationships provide meaning, mental health, longevity, job satisfaction, and overall wellbeing.Loneliness and isolation are detrimental. Nurturing relationships is thus essential.

Relationships as Human Core Need

Strengthen work relationships by showing interest in colleagues' lives, discovering shared interests, providing support, mentoring newcomers, resolving conflicts quickly, and collaborating creatively.

Improving Workplace Relationships

Address conflicts early, respectfully explain your perspective, hear the other out, apologize for overreactions, find solutions, compromise, forgive, let go and move forward.

Resolving Conflict Productively

<ul><li>Effectively networking expands connections.</li><li>Contribute value, find shared passions, make introductions, avoid superficiality, follow up, and persist over time.</li><li>Build trust and help others.</li></ul>

Developing Networking Skills

Listen deeply and ask thoughtful questions to understand others' perspectives before reacting. Validate feelings. Express appreciation. Avoid judgments and assumptions.Communicate supportively.

Communicating with Empathy

Open up judiciously and respond sensitively to create mutual vulnerability.Also discuss positive experiences, dreams, interests, and strengths to build bonds.

Balancing Vulnerability and Strengths

Enhance close relationships by reminiscing positively, expressing affection, celebrating milestones, trying new activities together, managing differences, and taking responsibility for growth.

Deepening Personal Relationships

Connections with other people, not money or fame, are what really matter in all facets of life.

In Connect, David Bradford argues that human connection and relationships are the key to health, happiness, and professional success. He provides research and advice on improving all types of relationships.

'A practical and timely book' - Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO, Thrive Global 'Valuable for everyone' - Julia Samuel, bestselling author Biting your tongue? Bottling it all up? From marriage to management challenges, learn how to change your relationships from exasperating to exceptional with this expert guide. The ability to create strong relationships with others is crucial to living a full life and becoming more effective at work. Yet many of us find ourselves struggling to build solid personal and professional connections, or unable to handle challenges that inevitably arise when we grow closer to others. When we find ourselves in an exceptional relationship -- the kind of relationship where we feel fully understood and supported for who we are -- it can seem like magic. But the truth is that the process of building and sustaining these relationships can be described, learned, and applied. David Bradford and Carole Robin taught interpersonal skills to MBA candidates for a combined seventy-five years in their legendary Stanford Graduate School of Business course Interpersonal Dynamics. Now, they share their insights with you, including: - Why relationship-building is not the process of being with 'the right person' but rather creating the kind of relationship you want - Why deepening a relationship takes risk - The importance of vulnerability, curiosity and empathy in building relationships - How the modern world can help - and hinder - our ability to connect Filled with time-tested strategies for giving feedback, negotiating boundaries, and working through disagreements, Connect will be an important resource for anyone hoping to improve existing relationships and build new ones at any stage of life.

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Career

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Communication

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Love & Relationships

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Books

A transformative guide to building more fulfilling relationships with colleagues, friends, partners, and family, based on the landmark Interpersonal Dynamics (“Touchy-Feely”) course at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business ONE OF BLOOMBERG’S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR • “Carole Robin and David Bradford are masters at helping people bring IQ and EQ together to satisfy both and be successful.”—Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater and author of Principles: Life and Work The ability to create strong relationships with others is crucial to living a full life and becoming more effective at work. Yet many of us find ourselves struggling to build solid personal and professional connections or unable to handle challenges that inevitably arise when we grow closer to others. When we find ourselves in an exceptional relationship—the kind of relationship in which we feel fully understood and supported for who we are—it can seem like magic. But the truth is that the process of building and sustaining these relationships can be described, learned, and applied. David Bradford and Carole Robin taught interpersonal skills to MBA candidates for a combined seventy-five years in their legendary Stanford Graduate School of Business course Interpersonal Dynamics (affectionately known to generations of students as “Touchy-Feely”) and have coached and consulted hundreds of executives for decades. In Connect, they show readers how to take their relationships from shallow to exceptional by cultivating authenticity, vulnerability, and honesty, while being willing to ask for and offer help, share a commitment to growth, and deal productively with conflict. Filled with relatable scenarios and research-backed insights, Connect is an important resource for anyone hoping to improve existing relationships and build new ones at any stage of life.

DAVID L. BRADFORD

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