Author: Rich Gorecki

As I continue to describe the traits of the type of friendship I believe every man needs, I will show how the next set —Non-judgmental Acceptance, Forgiveness, and Unconditional Love —pairs with the previous set to transform even a good friendship into the deeper, more authentic friendship that I call a GodBuddy.  My Case for Better Friendships So Far Similar to a lawyer, I’ve been unfolding my case for 2025 as The Year for Better Male Friendships through a series of posts using excerpts from my book, Get Out of Your Man Cave: The Crisis of Male Friendships.  I first described how most friendships start, by Finding Commonality and Building Chemistry. This trait creates a relationship that typically remains shallow, which is more of an acquaintance than a friendship. Occasionally, though, as some acquaintances get to know each other better, they begin Developing Trust and Establishing Confidentiality. This phase may lead

The next trait of the deeper, more authentic friendship is one of the most critical skills anyone, man or woman, can possess. This trait helps all relationships, whether it’s a friendship, a romantic relationship, co-worker, or interacting with your spouse, children, or neighbors. The trait of empathetic listening is more than just hearing what the other person is saying. It means connecting emotionally and providing a safe space for conversation.  As I continue making my case for 2025 as The Year for Better Male Friendships by providing the traits of the type of friendship I believe every man needs, let me ask you a personal question: Are you a good listener or a bad listener? What would your spouse or children say about your listening skills? How about friends or co-workers?  If you are really honest, you are NOT a good listener. Few men are. People usually rate themselves more

As I continue making my case for The Year for Better Male Friendships, this section covers the traits that turn a good friendship into a deeper, more authentic friendship that every man needs. This next set of traits is a bit more risky and takes some courage. But learning to demonstrate vulnerability, authenticity, and transparency can add the much-needed depth missing from most male friendships today. It also helps them become better men. I started this portion of my case by describing the Principles of a GodBuddy Friendship. I then explained the differences between the principles and the Traits of a GodBuddy Friendship. The first set, Finding Commonality and Building Chemistry, is found in most good friendships. The second set of traits, Developing Trust and Establishing Confidentiality, develops when men spend time together. This next set comes when they trust enough to be open and honest with each other. As