Amidst life’s hustle, it’s easy to feel that career success is all about individual achievements. However, what if we told you that the real secret isn’t only what you know or even how hard you work, it’s also who you know and how well you know them? Developing strong, meaningful relationships is a hidden superpower that can unlock endless career opportunities. We continue our "Let's-kill it" series #letsskillit
And before you think, “Not another networking post,” hang tight. We’re going beyond typical handshakes and LinkedIn connections. Building genuine relationships: those built on trust, shared values, and mutual respect. This is what separates the good from the great in any career. These relationships open doors, provide valuable insights, and offer the support you need to thrive. Still not convinced? Let’s dive deeper into why relationships are essential for career success and how you can start building them.
Why Build Relationships?
It’s often said, “It’s not what you know but who you know that matters.” But it often goes even further than that: "It’s who you know and how well you them that really matters." Real relationships provide you with more than a network, they offer guidance, opportunities, and lifelong allies. Here’s why investing in relationship building will make all the difference:
1. Build your own personal board of advisors
Think of the last big career decision you made. Did you reach out to someone for advice? When you develop strong, lasting relationships, you create a support system of people who genuinely want to see you succeed. These trusted connections become your personal board of advisors, providing insights and advice to help you navigate career challenges.
For example, take Ratan Tata, the iconic Indian industrialist. Throughout his career, he has developed close relationships with a group of advisors, mentors, and industry leaders who provided him with unique perspectives. Tata was known for his ability to seek out people who disagreed with him, valuing different perspectives to refine his vision for the Tata Group. Building these kinds of connections, people who will support you, give honest feedback, and challenge your thinking, can help you make better decisions and grow in your career.
2. Become the trusted go-to Person
Think about the colleague everyone turns to in times of need. They seem to know the right person to contact for any problem or have advice ready for tricky situations. When you build relationships grounded in mutual respect and trust, you naturally become a go-to person.
Oprah Winfrey built her career not just through talent but through her extraordinary ability to connect with people. Whether she’s interviewing a celebrity or someone sharing a personal story, Oprah’s genuine empathy and respect make people feel valued. Her relationships have built a lasting network of allies and supporters, allowing her to influence people worldwide.
As you cultivate meaningful relationships, people will recognise you as someone dependable, leading them to seek out your expertise and insights. These connections can open doors in ways technical skills alone cannot. People will recommend you for projects, reach out for collaboration, and remember you as someone they trust.
These connections can open doors in ways technical skills alone cannot.
3. Make work enjoyable and productive
We spend a large portion of our lives working. Building relationships with your colleagues transforms the work environment into more than just a place to earn a pay check, it becomes a place of camaraderie, mutual support, and collaboration. Studies show that people who feel a sense of belonging at work experience lower stress, higher productivity, and increased engagement.
As the founder of Virgin, Richard Branson is known for his people-focused approach. He’s made a career out of treating employees and customers with respect, often saying that relationships are the foundation of his success. By prioritising people, he’s created a company culture where relationships are the cornerstone of success.
By cultivating positive relationships with colleagues, even the most challenging projects become manageable. You’ll communicate openly, collaborate more effectively, and celebrate successes together, making work more enjoyable and meaningful.
4. Ripple effect of building connections
Each relationship you invest in has the potential to impact your career in unexpected ways. A professional connection today might be a bridge to a significant opportunity years down the line. When you build a strong network, you’re creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond your current job.
Take Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google, who climbed the ranks not only through talent but also by building connections within Google. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Pichai fostered relationships across teams, leading by example and gaining trust at every level. These relationships became crucial as he progressed from product management to the CEO role, enabling him to lead with influence and secure widespread support across the company.
As you invest in relationships, remember that they’re not just beneficial in the moment, they’re investments in your future. When people move to new roles or companies, they often bring their trusted networks with them. Genuine relationships have a long-term value that extends beyond any one job or position, paving the way for new roles, partnerships, or ventures down the line.
As you invest in relationships, remember that they’re not just beneficial in the moment, they’re investments in your future.
How to Start Building Strong Relationships
You don’t need to be an extrovert or have a huge social network to build meaningful connections. Building relationships is about being authentic, showing genuine interest, and finding ways to add value to others. Here are practical ways to get started:
1. Practice active listening
Active listening is one of the most underrated skills in relationship building. Instead of thinking about what you’ll say next, focus entirely on the other person. Ask follow-up questions that show you’re engaged, maintain eye contact, and nod in agreement. This level of attentiveness will make people feel valued, helping to foster trust.
2. Be generous with your time and help
Building strong relationships involves reciprocity. Look for ways to help others, whether it’s by sharing resources, offering advice, or introducing them to someone in your network. Small gestures can go a long way, showing others that you genuinely care about their success.
3. Follow up and stay in touch
Building relationships doesn’t stop at the first meeting, it’s about the follow-up. Send a quick message after meeting someone, or schedule a casual coffee chat to continue the conversation. Periodic check-ins go a long way in showing that you’re genuinely invested in the relationship.
4. Be vulnerable and authentic
People connect with authenticity, not perfection. When you’re open about your challenges, goals, and even failures, it makes you more relatable. You don’t need to have all the answers, showing that you’re human builds trust and allows others to connect on a deeper level.
5. Cultivate empathy and respect
Empathy is essential to building strong relationships. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes to understand their needs, perspectives, and motivations. When you approach every interaction with empathy, you’ll create a space of trust and respect, even in difficult situations.
Success of Indian Americans & Power of Relationships
Indian Americans are among the most successful ethnic groups in the United States, excelling in fields such as technology, medicine, finance, and academia. Their achievements are not only a result of academic prowess and a strong work ethic but also due to their emphasis on building meaningful professional and personal relationships. Leaders like Satya Nadella (CEO of Microsoft), Sundar Pichai (CEO of Alphabet/Google), and Arvind Krishna (CEO of IBM) have reached these heights by leveraging a blend of technical skills along with strong interpersonal networks.
One major factor has been mentorship, a cornerstone of the Indian American professional experience. Many established Indian American professionals have prioritised mentoring younger professionals and students, fostering a sense of community and continuity. This tradition of mentorship has created a strong support network, helping new generations navigate challenges, build confidence, and find valuable career opportunities.
These professional relationships have been instrumental in creating a ripple effect, where each success story builds on another. By focusing on community, mentorship, and strong networks, Indian Americans have unlocked access to resources, guidance, and career opportunities, underscoring the power of relationship building as a key driver of their success in the U.S.
In a world driven by technology and competition, it’s easy to overlook the value of personal connections.
Relationships Are an Ultimate Career Hack
In a world driven by technology and competition, it’s easy to overlook the value of personal connections. But no matter how skilled or knowledgeable you are, your relationships are what turn potential into opportunity. Developing strong, genuine connections is your ticket to a more successful, fulfilling career. So take the time to invest in people. Listen deeply, help others freely, and stay connected with sincerity. Because in the end, your relationships are among the most powerful tools you have for career growth and personal fulfilment.
Want to explore more? Sign up now to get invite-only early access to our AI career coach. Join #letsskillit series and drop into our limited-time class today by filling the contact form. Together, we’ll crush those goals and show the world how it’s done. We’re all about helping you master the essential career skills to crush your goals. Let’s conquer life together!
P.S.: Not convinced by this blog? No worries, come hang out with our Insta fam and see our video series on #letsskillit! We promise, we’ll bring the vibes. 😄
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From Allies to Advisors: Building Relationships That Change Your Career