“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” Brené Brown
- joy10727
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Looking ahead to 2026, my focus is clear: enabling changemakers to tackle today’s challenges in ways that meaningfully better our world.
Over the years, I have spent a great deal of time thinking about and actively creating connections and collaborations. Some relationships flourished. Others did not. Some that I thought would go nowhere unexpectedly thrived, while others that seemed promising never materialised. Each experience taught me something about trust, connection, and, importantly, where it is truly worth investing time and energy.
I wanted to share a few of those learnings in case building connections is also part of your focus for 2026.
One of the most important shifts for me was realising that not all relationships deserve the same level of investment. Time, energy, emotion and trust are finite resources. Being intentional about where we place them matters. The relationships that tend to endure are rooted in shared values rather than shared status or opportunity.
Alignment does not mean agreement on everything. It does mean a shared commitment to integrity, respect, and how people show up when things become challenging.
Reciprocity also matters. Healthy relationships are not transactional. They are balanced. Over time, there is a natural exchange of effort, care, and attention. When you find yourself consistently giving, initiating, or accommodating, it is often a signal worth noticing. I have learned to trust behaviour more than words. Consistency. Follow-through.
Respect for boundaries. How someone handles discomfort or disagreement. These moments reveal whether a relationship is built on trust or convenience.
So what does it actually look like to build meaningful relationships?
In my experience, it begins with curiosity. People feel the connection when they are genuinely listened to, without being judged, fixed, or managed. Curiosity creates the conditions for trust to grow. It deepens through reliability in small moments. I am just doing what you say you will do. Showing up prepared. Respecting time. These quiet actions build safety, and safety is the foundation of any meaningful relationship.
Relationships also strengthen when generosity is offered without keeping score. Not through over-giving, but through contributing in ways that align with your values, without an immediate expectation of return.
Honesty matters too. Not oversharing, but a willingness to be human. To admit uncertainty. To ask for perspective. To handle tension with calm and care.
Relationships are built through consistency rather than intensity. A thoughtful check-in. Remembering what matters to someone. Following up long after the initial conversation. These moments accumulate over time.
Not every relationship is meant to go deep or last forever. Some are seasonal. Some are functional. Being selective with your energy is not unkind. It is an act of clarity and self-respect.
For me, building relationships in 2026 is less about collecting connections and more about nurturing real, deep relationships. Those grounded in alignment, consistency, mutual respect, and space to grow.
None of this is rocket science, but I hope it serves as a reminder of what truly matters when it comes to recognising the relationships worth nurturing and caring for over time.
If this resonates, I would love to hear how you are approaching relationship-building this year. If you are aspiring to spark change this year, let us talk.
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