Roadblocks to Intimacy

I have been reading a book called "Achieving High Performance Friendships" by John Vawter and Jim Wetherbe.  It was written primarily for male friendships however, there was a portion of the book that spoke to me regarding the roadblocks to intimacy that I would like to share.

1. Belligerent and argumentative--Some men simply refuse to be corrected or even consider they might be able to improve on something they are doing. Often the response is being being belligerent and argumentative rather than considering what their friend has to say.

2. Always correct or subtle arrogance-- Some men always have to be right-regardless of the subject.
(the foremost authority syndrome). These people have really no interest in what others are thinking.

3.  Passive aggressive-- Some men are deflective and refuse to talk about anything of significance.  The are very skillful at avoiding any talk that would get close to their deepest emotion or allow anyone to get close to them.

4.  Shop talk-- For some men, the extent of their conversation is professional or ministerial shop talk, primarily about their work or hobbies.  They seem incapable of talking about love for their wives or kids, their fears for the future or what is on the inside.  It is hard to be intimate with such people,

Being in leadership is lonely enough without these roadblocks to intimacy.  I trust you are not guilty of these barriers, because God designed all of us to have intimate relationships.