Category: Basic Training

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

This series on The Year for Better Male Friendships moves to another set of traits of the deeper, more authentic friendship that every man needs. As I continue making my case that men need better friendships, this next excerpt from my book, Get Out of Your Man Cave: The Crisis of Male Friendships, describes two more traits that help transform a good friendship into a GodBuddy: developing trust and establishing confidentiality.  Trust is Important to Men  Dr. Michael Kimmel and his team at Stoney Brook University conducted research on Men and Masculinity that revealed: Most of the time, men enter into relationships with a bit of caution because we’re wired to compete.. This aversion goes back to our caveman days when we did not know if the stranger approaching us would pillage our town, steal our food, and take our weapons. During modern times, industrialization puts us in competition for