TIN #114 - Why Trust Is The At The Core Of All Successful Networking
How to Build It For Yourself and The Company You Work For
Hello Fellow Networkers!
We’re talking about trust today.
In my opinion, it’s the most important foundational need in networking.
Let’s get into why trust is so important in your professional relationships and how it impacts your career and your job.
This issue takes about 5 minutes to read…
Before We Get Started:
My online course, “5 Steps To Grow Your Professional Network,” is FREE for all my newsletter subscribers. Learn the process I use everyday to grow my professional network.
Each week, I post a new podcast with tips you’ll find in the weekly newsletter and bonus stories, wisdom, and motivation. The Introverted Networker podcast is like the weekly newsletter but with additional narration and thoughts from me. Be sure to listen to this week’s podcast and check out the previous episodes of the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more networking tips and insights.
The video version of the podcast is available on my YouTube channel.
Trust: The Foundation of All Networking
Networking is more than meeting new people or exchanging business cards.
At its core, networking is about building trust—something we all naturally desire in our professional and personal lives.
Without trust, any effort to connect can feel like wasted time, whether it’s in a crowded room full of strangers or a one-on-one chat.
When you think about it, trust is the “why,” the “what,” and the “how” of networking:
Why: We network to build relationships, and relationships are based on trust.
What: Networking is about establishing that trust.
How: Any action that fosters trust will make your networking successful.
If your interactions build trust, you’re on the right path.
If they don’t, it’s no wonder networking feels unproductive and frustrating.
Why Large Networking Events Feel So Uncomfortable
Consider the last time you attended a large networking event.
It probably felt awkward, right?
The main reason is that trust is missing.
In a room full of people you’ve just met, you naturally put your guard up.
You’re listening to what people say but also filtering it through your own lens, wondering, “Can I trust this person?”
Most people leave these events feeling like they haven’t made any real connections.
Compare that to a one-on-one conversation with someone you already know or were introduced to by a trusted contact.
It’s a completely different experience.
You’re more open, relaxed, and willing to share because there’s an element of trust in place.
How to Build Trust in Networking: Reciprocity and Value Exchange
To build trust, focus on giving value before expecting anything in return.
This concept of reciprocity means that when someone offers us something—information, a recommendation, or advice—we instinctively feel compelled to reciprocate.
It’s this natural give-and-take that deepens trust.
Here are some ways to establish trust in your networking:
Share relevant information without expecting immediate payback.
Offer a recommendation or introduction that could help the other person.
Ask questions that show genuine curiosity and care about their experience.
If you need more ideas on how to give to others when networking, I got you covered in TIN #004 - How To Make Networking Feel Good
This approach works both outside and inside an organization.
You’ll not only strengthen your external network but also improve your internal connections, leading to better collaboration and project outcomes.
The Power of Trust Inside Organizations
Trust isn’t just critical for external networking—it’s essential within organizations too.
When employees trust each other, they collaborate more, feel safer to share ideas, and are more likely to stay with the company.
As a result, organizations that invest in building trust enjoy higher productivity, lower turnover, and stronger employee engagement.
Think about it: If you trust your manager, your colleagues, and your organization’s leaders, you’re more likely to enjoy coming to work, give your best effort, and feel secure enough to take risks and learn from mistakes.
How Companies Can Foster Trust Internally
Many companies miss opportunities to foster internal trust, especially in today’s remote or hybrid work environments.
Employees may feel disconnected or reluctant to reach out to colleagues they don’t know well.
That’s where internal networking, or “cross-functional networking,” comes into play.
Companies can encourage trust-building by:
Creating opportunities for employees to meet across teams and departments. This could be through mentoring programs, cross-functional projects, or informal gatherings.
Promoting authentic conversations. Rather than just sticking to work topics, create spaces for employees to talk about their personal experiences, challenges, and goals.
Training employees to build relationships. Many people don’t naturally know how to establish trust, so providing some guidance or training can be incredibly beneficial.
Hybrid Work: A Barrier and an Opportunity
Remote work has made it harder to build trust.
Quick chats in the hallway or coffee breaks that once allowed for informal relationship-building have disappeared.
But this doesn’t mean trust-building is impossible in a remote or hybrid setting—it just needs to be more intentional.
Encourage team members to connect with people outside their immediate team and organization.
In my last role, we set up informal coffee chats with people who were in other parts of the organization. There was no agenda or expected outcome.
It was an intentional step to encourage people to meet new people in the organization and get to know them.
All of these events were virtual, as we were all remote, but they gave all of us an opportunity to develop internal relationships that made more serious “work” conversations easier in the long run.
The conversations started the trust building process.
Final Thoughts: Trust Is Everything
Whether you’re networking to expand your professional circle or trying to connect within your organization, remember that trust is the bedrock of all successful interactions.
It’s what we all crave, and it’s what ultimately determines whether we feel connected and engaged—or distant and disengaged.
If you’re struggling with building trust in your networking or your company could use some help fostering better internal connections, reach out.
I’d be happy to chat about strategies to create more authentic relationships that will make a difference in both your career and your organization.
Before You Go…
Check out Steven Winkler’s collection of networking tips. Saw these on LinkedIn this week and knew I had to share.