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Leadership shouldn’t feel like a solo climb. When pressure builds and decisions stack up, the difference between burning out and bouncing back is often a small circle of real friends who listen, challenge, and show up. We explore how to go beyond likes and contacts to build genuine connection that strengthens emotional resilience and makes you a better leader and a better human.

Greg and I unpack why “more networking” isn’t the answer if it stays shallow. You’ll hear a candid audit of contacts vs. close friends, a simple cadence for staying in touch, and the practical difference between professional friends and the people you call at 9 p.m. for honest feedback. We talk about modeling connection for younger managers, turning vulnerability into a team skill, and the subtle ways leaders accidentally choose escapism over belonging.

Then we get tactical. Learn how to form peer mentoring circles that actually stick, design purpose-driven gatherings around shared values, and borrow the best of women’s intentional networks to deepen trust. We share ideas for service-based projects that bond teams, story forums that normalize fear and failure, and wellness meetups that pair health with human connection. Along the way, we return to one simple habit: schedule friendship like any important priority, and bring constructive optimism to every touch point.

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Presented by John Wandolowski and Greg Powell