Competency 17 - Developing Social Bonds Skills

Transforming Conflict into Growth:

Social Competencies: Building Connections

Specific Competency: Developing Social Bonds Skills

Statement: Developing social bonds involves reaching out, making connections, and building friendships in all parts of life. This competency is essential for creating a supportive social network and fostering a sense of belonging.

Introduction

Having developed effective communication skills, we now focus on developing social bonds. Building strong connections with others is crucial for mental health and well-being. Social bonds provide support, enhance happiness, and contribute to a sense of belonging. It is said that we need four things in life: autonomy, competence, relationships, and recognition. This competency focuses on enhancing relationships.

The Science of Social Bonds

Social bonds are the connections we form with others through shared experiences, trust, and mutual support. Research shows that strong social bonds can improve mental health, increase longevity, and enhance overall well-being. Building social bonds involves reaching out to others, nurturing relationships, and creating a supportive network.

Elements of Developing Social Bonds

To fully develop social bond skills, it's essential to understand its core elements:

1. Reaching Out: Taking the initiative to connect with others.
2. Building Trust: Establishing trust through honesty, reliability, and consistency.
3. Mutual Support: Offering and receiving support in relationships.
4. Shared Experiences: Creating and sharing meaningful experiences with others.
5. Communication: Engaging in open and honest communication.
6. Empathy: Understanding and valuing the perspectives and feelings of others.
7. Acts of Kindness: Performing kind acts to strengthen connections and show appreciation.

How Previous Competencies Help Develop Social Bonds

1. Empathetic Listening Skills (Competency 15): Understanding and responding to others' emotions enhances your ability to connect with them.
2. Effective Communication Skills (Competency 16): Clear and respectful communication is key to building and maintaining relationships.
3. Self-Knowledge (Competency 1): Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you interact more authentically with others.

Part A: Start By Yourself

Objective: Develop social bond skills by reaching out and making connections.

Instructions:

A) Reflect on Past Connections:

• Identify a Positive Connection: Think about a recent interaction where you successfully made a new connection or strengthened an existing one. Write down the details of the interaction.
• Evaluate Your Approach: Reflect on how you approached the interaction. What made it successful? Did you use any specific skills or techniques?

B) Reach Out and Connect:

• Initiate Contact: Reach out to someone you haven't spoken to in a while or someone new you'd like to get to know better. Send a message, make a phone call, or arrange a meeting.
• Build Trust: Be honest and reliable in your interactions. Follow through on commitments and show genuine interest in the other person.
• Create Shared Experiences: Plan an activity or event that you can enjoy together, such as a picnic, a hike, or a game night.
• Perform Acts of Kindness: Do something kind for someone, such as bringing them a small gift, helping them with a task, or simply offering a compliment.

C) Alternative Activities to Enhance Social Bonds:

• Join a Group or Club: Participate in a group or club that interests you. This can be a sports team, a book club, or a hobby group.
• Volunteer: Get involved in volunteer activities. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and build connections.
• Social Media: Use social media platforms to connect with people who share your interests and values.

Benefits:

• Increases sense of belonging.
• Enhances mental health and well-being.
• Provides a supportive network.

Part B: Share with Pairs, Family, or Friends

Objective: Develop social bond skills together by engaging in activities that foster connection and mutual support.

Instructions:

A) In Pairs or Groups:

• Plan a Social Activity: Organise a social activity with family or friends. This could be a barbecue, a beach day, or a game night. Focus on creating an environment where everyone feels included and valued.
• Share Experiences: Take turns sharing positive experiences and stories. Encourage open and honest communication.
• Perform Acts of Kindness Together: Plan a group activity that involves acts of kindness, such as a community service project, creating care packages, or writing notes of appreciation.

B) Support Each Other:

• Offer Help and Support: Look for opportunities to help each other. Whether it's offering a listening ear, providing assistance with a task, or giving emotional support, show that you care.
• Celebrate Together: Celebrate each other's achievements and milestones. This can strengthen bonds and create positive memories.

C) Reflect Together:

• Discuss Learnings: Reflect on what you learned from the social activities. Share insights and discuss how these activities have impacted your relationships.
• Plan for Continued Connection: Make a plan to continue building social bonds. Set goals for maintaining and strengthening your connections.

Tips:

• Be open and approachable in your interactions.
• Show genuine interest in others.
• Be reliable and consistent in your behaviour.
• Perform acts of kindness to strengthen your connections.

The Paradox of Conflict

Conflicts, when managed constructively, can paradoxically strengthen relationships. A past conflict followed by a genuine, honest conversation can build strong bonds and even friendships. Addressing issues openly and resolving them can increase mutual understanding and trust.

The Role of DiSC in Building Social Bonds

You don't have to be extraverted or talkative to build strong social bonds. People with an introverted behavioural preference often excel at building connections as they observe, listen, and show interest in others, sometimes even more than in themselves. The DiSC model can help you understand your natural tendencies and how to leverage them to create meaningful connections.

Benefits:

• Strengthens relationships.
• Enhances social support.
• Fosters a sense of community and belonging.

Join the Journey By integrating these competencies into your daily life, you can improve your mental health, build stronger relationships, and better handle life's challenges. Stay tuned for the next set of social competencies!

Want to take it further, reach out and let's talk ;-)

Let'st work together, book me or my team for coaching, keynotes, training and consulting.

In the meantime,

Take care,

Krumma

PS: click here for the free mental fitness app that might change your life and your relationships https://positive-performances.passion.io/