“It’s a step toward increasing the number of people in your life and work who you like and trust…” That’s how Ross McCammon describes his Two Beers and a Puppy test, a simple methodology for determining whether we’re investing time and energy in the right people.

It’s often a challenge to determine which relationships serve us. Our decision-making is clouded by the complexities of compatibility and communication, social norms and individual perceptions — and sometimes, god help us, romance.

Having a measuring stick by which to gauge those around us brings focus to the relationships that matter.