Rob Bell - Role Models and Male Friendships in Business and Life

For this episode, David is joined by Rob Bell, a British Broadcast journalist who's well-known for tales of adventure, engineering feats and industrial history programmes. Recently, he has refocused and is currently exploring how male relationships and male communities can be improved in society. 

David helps owners and leaders to build their business without having to do it all themselves, so that they have a business that is ready to sell when they are ready. To build your business, so it is ready to sell, without the frustration and overwhelm,

Download David's Free Guide '3 reasons you will never sell your business and how to fix it FAST!  https://businessbreakthrough.live/3reasons/3-reasons

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Only 27% of men in the USA have 6 friends. In the UK,  only 1 in 5 men have any friends.

• Often, friendships are born out of and maintained through shared experiences.

• Committing to regularly do things together builds strong friendships, but you need to structure these meetups, so people turn up often enough.

• Social media is helpful, but in-person contact matters too.

• The new ways society requires us to communicate, and act can make some people fear saying the wrong thing to the point where they say nothing and never connect.

• Bonding while enjoying a walk, run or skiing provides a chance to talk.

• Research shows that men and women build and maintain friendships differently.

• Authenticity is key.

• Show empathy and be willing to be vulnerable.

• If you go into business with a friend, be clear about what the exit strategy is.

• Be intentional about your friendships, really commit.

BEST MOMENTS

“It's perhaps a bit of a rarity amongst males to have a strong network of friends.”

“That shared experience is key.”

“I am a broadcaster, but I am not an extrovert….my go-to is actually to be very introverted.”

“I find that structure really helps.”

“Sometimes these little snippets are the kind of little top-up that you need just to check in and connect.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-bell-36155813

https://podcast.sketchplanations.com

Radical Candor - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radical-Candor-Revised-Updated-Saying/dp/1529038340

https://andysmanclub.co.uk

A study that shows that modern men have fewer friends - https://www.americansurveycenter.org/why-mens-social-circles-are-shrinking

Male loneliness epidemic in the UK - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7488709/One-five-men-no-friends-loneliness-epidemic-leaves-thousands-living-isolation.html

ABOUT THE HOST

David Roberts is a highly regarded CEO, mentor, and investor with 30 years of experience across multiple sectors. As a