Feeling a connection can mean different things for different people. Here is a partial list:
Emotional Connection
- Empathy, sensing what the other person is feeling
- Feeling emotionally seen and understood
- Mutual goodwill, a desire to enhance the other person’s wellbeing
- Acceptance and safety: no fear of judgment, competition, or awkwardness
- Authenticity and openness
- Vulnerability feels welcome, not risky
Interaction Dynamics
- Feeling the interaction is “charging each other’s batteries.”
- Mutual eye contact feels natural
- Really listening, not just waiting to speak
Shared Experiences and Interests
- Common interests and goals, so sharing knowledge and even helping each other happens naturally
- Sharing similar reference points: values, past experiences, ways of seeing the world
- Curiosity about the other person and their world
Appreciation and Synchrony
- Valuing each other, giving compliments and showing appreciation
- Possibly, body language syncs: matching tone, similar movement
Do you have comments on this list or can propose additional points?Please let us know.