Relationship building is one of the most strategic skills a professional can develop. It influences career opportunities, information flow, and access to decision-makers. In both digital and in-person environments, your ability to build trust and maintain authentic connections plays a major role in how far your career can go.
Research shows that 85% of jobs are filled through networking, according to a LinkedIn study. In a separate global survey, Nielsen found that 90% of people trust recommendations from individuals they know, far more than other sources. This underscores the long-term value of investing in relationship building well before you need to utilize one.
So, how do we do this?
Stay connected consistently, not just when you need help
One of the most common mistakes professionals make when relationship building is going silent until they need a favor. Building strong relationships is about regular, intentional contact. Sending a quick check-in message, sharing an article relevant to someone’s interests, or commenting on a recent milestone can make a lasting impression. These gestures signal that your relationship is not merely transactional. When done over time, this creates trust and sets the stage for easier collaboration in the future.
Lead with genuine curiosity when relationship building
When your outreach is fueled by self-interest, people tend to pick up on it. But if you approach new and existing relationships with a sincere desire to learn, the dynamic shifts. Asking open-ended questions about someone’s work, values, or recent experiences fosters real dialogue. You become more than a contact, you become someone who listens. That authenticity creates more fertile ground for opportunity, and you may discover shared interests or needs that are worth exploring together.
Approach networking with a mindset of giving
Effective relationship building has less to do with extraction and more to do with contribution. Instead of looking for what you can gain, start by asking yourself what you can offer. Share relevant job openings, refer others to useful resources, or connect people in your network who might benefit from knowing each other. This approach signals generosity and builds long-term equity in your relationships. People remember who helped them, and the goodwill you earn often returns in unexpected ways.
Use storytelling to be remembered
Credentials and experience have their place, but people rarely remember a bullet point. They remember stories. By weaving short, relevant anecdotes into your conversations, you help with relationship building because make yourself relatable and memorable. These can be personal stories that reflect your values, professional experiences that shaped your path, or moments of learning and growth. A well-placed story during a Zoom meeting or networking event can help someone connect with you on a deeper level, increasing the chances of a follow-up or future referral.
Know when to elevate the interaction
A lot of professional connections stall because they remain locked in a passive communication loop. If a dialogue is progressing in comments, messages, or email, there comes a point when it’s worth transitioning to a more personal interaction. A quick video call or phone chat makes a stronger impression than another LinkedIn message. These higher-touch moments allow for better context, greater trust, and a smoother path toward collaboration. Not every connection will require this, but the ones that do may be the most meaningful.
Relationship building is not something to rush or treat as a checkbox. It requires intentionality, patience, and a genuine interest in other people. If done right, it becomes the foundation of your professional brand, influencing how you’re perceived and how often your name comes up in the right rooms. When trust is earned slowly and authentically, it holds more weight than anything a your resume can say to them.
