12 Signs of a Great Friendship
This is a guest post by Michael Gaudet.
You know how sometimes when you meet someone you have this strong ‘gut feeling’ that if you work it out, there is the potential for an amazing friendship?
The signals can include:
1) Powerful personal chemistry between you both when you immediately feel comfortable in each other’s presence.
2) A feeling of trust and respect that develops quickly and continues to grow.
3) A flash of understanding that passes between you that affirms you both have complimentary skill sets to bring to the relationship.
4) You soon discover that you both share common goals and interests.
5) You realize that there are certain unique strengths and experiences that you have that your new colleague may be looking for, and vice-versa.
6) You discover that you are both at ease encouraging each other’s ideas and fanning enthusiasm with positive body language.
7) You slip comfortably into the ‘brainstorming mode’ when discussing ideas.
8) Your ideas seem to mesh with a powerful ‘synchronicity’.
9)You realize that you have a lot to learn from each other and this understanding leads to deeper mutual respect.
10) Both of you find that you share information and tips that have the potential to lead to mutual enrichment, if followed up on.
11) You find that you don’t always have to agree on everything, and that you can easily bounce back from minor scuffles. Just talk it out.
12) Your discussions lead to concrete results within a certain time-frame. ( This is the most exciting thing of all and the most powerful relationship-builder!)
When you start to see the signals click, watch the relationship grow into a multi-dimensional, dynamic force. You have mutually created the potential for a new good friend!
No question about it, when you recognize that this is happening in your life, treat your new friend like solid gold. No kidding, this is not a common occurrence and once you find it is unfolding you are in a position to richly benefit as it is a mutual gain. What I mean by this is that you both have a lot to offer and this is the foundation for a life-long relationship. Do not squander this opportunity when it comes along.
Nurture it!
Michael Gaudet is an artist specializing in large historic murals. See Gallery Gaudet He has branched off into aeronautical design and invented a ‘Ring-Wing’ glider called Skyaak. To read more, visit www.skyaak.com Follow him on Twitter.
Michael, nice remarks here–when you’ve got friends who can slip into brainstorming mode, nothing gets you going more!
Matt, thanks for that. Yes, brainstorming can be great as long as it results in something tangible. That’s when it’s best IMHO.
That’s a great description of friendship. What I get from that is that it’s the “mutuality” of a relationship (beyond the initial “connection”) that makes a real friendship.
We’re in the “friendship” business at Harmoniker.com and we’re trying to introduce friends based on multiple interests, across their entire “web presence” – something we think it’s important to do in an age of instant connection.
Hi Bill, I really appreciate you driving the point of ‘mutuality’ home. Take Stanley’s shout out for guest bloggers for example. I picked up on his idea via his Twitter feed, got ahold of him and we worked it out. As a result, Mr.Tang gets a breather so he can focus on his exams and I get an opportunity to enjoy his hospitality here.
Sounds like the friendship dynamic in action, wouldn’t you agree?
This kind of relationship happened to me years ago. Best relationship I’ve ever had. Me and the person were the best of friends. Everything was perfect, but then stuff came between us and we grew apart. Now we have the chemistry, but very little else in common.
I miss having a friendship like this. I hope it happens again. I was very lucky to have it. I hope I get really lucky again! 😉
Hi Zora. Yes, friends are such a treasure! I really believe that since you have that desire to have this high quality friendship it will happen again. Just the fact that you are talking and thinking about it will make it happen.