What actually makes a relationship tick - and why do some connections fade the moment circumstances change?

In this episode, Brad and Chris kick off their new series on the 7 Components of Relationship with the first "C" - Context.

Whether it's a shared workplace, a carpool, a hockey team, or a life experience like illness or loss, context is the invisible engine powering most of our connections.

And once you understand it, you'll never look at your relationships the same way again.

From the colleague you'd follow to a new city, to the instant bond formed between two strangers who've faced the same hardship, the guys unpack how context works at every level - current, historical, and life-based.

They also get practical: how can leaders intentionally create or shift context to strengthen their teams?

Key Takeaways

- Context is one of 7 measurable components of any relationship - and it works as a powerful accelerant when shared, or a barrier when lost.

- There are three layers of context: current (shared spaces/activities), historical (past shared experiences), and life context (shared life circumstances).

- When context changes, relationships often change with it - and that's not a failure; it's just how human connection works.

- Leaders can intentionally engineer context to increase team connection through simple tweaks like shared lunches, clubs, or cross-department collaboration sessions.

- Context alone doesn't tell the full story of a relationship, but it gives you a huge piece of the puzzle, and it's always a great place to start.

Grab your walking shoes and join the conversation!