Studies show that it is more worthwhile to develop your strengths than your weaknesses. So, if we women already excel at friendship-making – let’s develop that capability to the level of mastery! It will serve us well when the goal is to develop a culture of collaboration.
Men, listen up: here is your chance to learn the secret formula about how women – and not surprisingly, the best leaders of either gender – communicate in order to create connectivity that results in trust and friendship. 
I teach these ingredients of collaborative communication to my executive coaching clients and participants in my new-manager training programs.
The formula for creating trusting relationships consists of these three skills:
- Inquire! Ask questions with authentic curiosity.
- Listen! Be present with genuine fascination, because everyone wants to be seen, heard and appreciated for our contributions.
- Solicit feedback! Stay open for feedback in order to continuously grow, learn and develop.
Furthermore, for friendship-making to become adopted as a model for collaboration, we must add the fourth, crucial step:
4. Take action! Together. The world needs you to.