Building and maintaining meaningful connections is a vital skill for personal and professional success. Meaningful connections are positive and healthy relationships that help us feel fulfilled, supported, and valued. They can also enhance our well-being, learning, and growth.

According to some sources¹⁴, building and maintaining meaningful connections involves:

- Being generous and helpful: Offering value and assistance to others without expecting anything in return can help us build trust, gratitude, and reciprocity. We can also express our appreciation and recognition for the contributions of others.

- Being genuine and authentic: Showing interest and curiosity in others and sharing what is important to us can help us form a bond based on mutual understanding and respect. We can also be honest and respectful in our communication and feedback.

- Being attentive and present: Giving our full attention and presence to others when we interact with them can help us listen, empathize, and connect. We can also avoid distractions and interruptions that may affect the quality of our interactions.

- Being consistent and reliable: Following up and keeping in touch with others can help us maintain and strengthen our relationships over time. We can also honor our commitments and expectations that we have agreed upon with others.

To build and maintain meaningful connections, we can also use various strategies, such as:

- Participating in activities or events that interest us or align with our goals²: This can help us meet and connect with people who share our passions, values, or aspirations. We can also learn from their experiences, insights, or perspectives.

- Joining communities or groups that support us or challenge us³: This can help us access a network of people who can provide us with advice, contacts, opportunities, or feedback. We can also contribute to the community by offering our own value, support, or guidance.

- Seeking mentors or coaches who can guide us or teach us⁴: This can help us learn from the expertise, wisdom, or skills of people who have achieved what we want to achieve. We can also benefit from their encouragement, motivation, or accountability.

(1) Building relationships and maintaining connections - The British Red Cross. https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-with-loneliness/wellbeing-support/building-relationships-maintaining-connections.

(2) Build meaningful connections that have a positive impact on your life. https://www.thirdspaces.net/articles/3-ways-to-build-meaningful-connections-that-have-a-positive-impact-on-your-life/.

(3) 10 Ways To Build Connections and Why They’re Important. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/build-connections.

(4) How to Keep Nurturing Connection | Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/compassion-matters/202108/how-keep-nurturing-connection.