Carole Robin and David Bradford, experts in leadership from Stanford, share insights from their renowned 'Touchy-Feely' course. They discuss the six hallmarks of exceptional relationships and how emotional honesty can transform connections. The importance of asking 'how am I feeling?' and 'how are you feeling?' is emphasized to improve communication. They explore navigating conflict as a growth opportunity and the necessity of mindfulness in relationships, especially in a remote world, promoting the benefits of their book, "Connect."

David Bradford, a Stanford GSB lecturer on leadership, and Carole Robin, a former lecturer at Stanford, team up to share their insights on building exceptional relationships. They discuss the crucial role of vulnerability and trust in communication. Highlights include the '15% rule' for gradual risk-taking in sharing, the power of disclosure to enhance connections, and effective feedback strategies. Listeners will learn how genuine inquiries can foster deeper ties, especially in today’s virtual interactions.

David Bradford, Senior Lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, discusses building relationships in professional settings. They explore effective communication, conflict resolution, feedback, curiosity in bridging communication gaps, and the importance of vulnerability in leadership.

David Bradford, a renowned educator at Stanford's Graduate School of Business and author, shares profound insights on interpersonal dynamics. He discusses the essential role of vulnerability, curiosity, and empathy in building meaningful relationships. Bradford emphasizes the risks involved in deepening connections and offers strategies for effective communication, highlighting the '15% rule' for self-disclosure. He also addresses the impact of passive-aggressive behavior and underscores how timely communication can resolve small annoyances before they escalate.

We talk a lot on this show about social connection, but in this episode we’re going to get super granular on how to actually do relationships better. Carole Robin and David Bradford taught the most popular elective course at the Stanford Graduate School of Business for a combined total of 75 years. Officially, the name of the course is Interpersonal Dynamics, but everybody calls it “Touchy-Feely.” Together they have written the new book, Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues. We dive into the six hallmarks of what they call “exceptional relationships,” how to be honest and vulnerable without overdoing it, why the questions “how am I feeling?” and “how are you feeling?” are central to improving our communication, the inevitability of risk when you set out to deepen a relationship, and why meditation is helpful in all of this. Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/carole-robin-david-bradford-385