Understanding Business Relationships: Beyond Just "Knowing Someone"

Not all business relationships are created equal. Here's what I've learned after 20 years of networking: The depth of a business relationship turns casual connections into powerful opportunities.
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​A deep relationship without business impact is a friendship. And high business impact without genuine connection? That's just a transaction.

Think of relationship depth as a journey. It starts with simple recognition - they know your name, your role. Maybe you've exchanged business cards or connected on LinkedIn. But there's no real trust yet, no foundation.

For example: I’ve always admired Tara Renze as a speaker, yet she had no clue who I was. We just so happened to get sat next to each other at an industry event, and that’s when everything changed. We quickly connected over shared interests and stories, and what started as a brief conversation turned into ongoing chats through social media and text. In a short period of time, I now consider Tara not just a colleague but a true friend. To make it even sweeter, I had the honor of referring Tara to a speaking opportunity that she landed, and I was thrilled to be a guest on her brand new podcast. This relationship is far from over—I know it's going to be personally and professionally amazing for both of us as we continue to grow together in the future.

The sweet spot is finding those relationships where genuine connection meets business impact. Where trust aligns with capability. Where your coffee buddy also happens to influence key decision-makers.

Map your network through both lenses. Who knows you well AND can open doors? Who has influence AND could become a closer ally? That's where to focus your relationship building energy.

Remember: It's not about collecting connections. It's about nurturing relationships that can grow - both personally and professionally.