For several reasons I won’t drag out here, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how fragile life is. All of us of a certain age probably ponder this now and again. But here I am thinking about it through a different lens.

The knowledge that life is fragile applies personally of course. However, and this is my lens, it also applies professionally.

The idea of doing business with those you “know, like and trust” is a common theme in most networking groups. But that theme is more than just words – or it should be. They are words that define relationships.

Truthfully, relationships in business and in our everyday life are really not very different. They are sometimes:

While networking, relationships sometimes spark referrals and sometimes they don’t. In life, relationships sometimes create lasting friends and sometimes not-so-much. But in all contexts they are an opportunity to learn about yourself and another person. The takeaway for me from this is that they are also fragile moments. And the idea of being fragile is one to absorb. Something to think about beyond the “Oh, I wonder if we’ll bring business to each other”.

This is about knowing people. It’s about recognizing that knowing someone – in any context – can be meaningful and it can be fragile. Building relationships is more than the overlay of networking and can be broken.

There is always a risk in building any relationship. After all if you approach it from a place of authenticity there will be some level of personal exposure – that’s the fragile part.

I should say that fragile doesn’t mean bad or dangerous – it just means being cognizant of the risk that exposure brings and accepting the outcome – you’ll be trusted as a business partner or maybe you won’t. In either case – in business or in life and whatever the outcome – these relationships are an opportunity to grow. Any real growth comes with some element of risk. So, while risk makes us fragile, it is something that we all might think about welcoming. Being fragile – being open – exposing who you really are – is a sort of freedom. Those who are on the other end of it should be grateful for the chance to see a side of you that maybe not all others do and should tread carefully so as not to break you and the relationship you are building – however it plays out. By the way, I am speaking as someone recognizing my part on both sides.

As an aside, this is adult talk and let’s face it not all grown ups are adult enough to recognize this – so there’s that to think about as well.

In the business context, if I think about networking from this perspective I become more open and easy in these interactions. Less anxious and introverted, more authentic. Whether that brings business or not is OK because the business I want should be based in authenticity and truth.

So, the phrase “knowing, liking and trusting” now has a new meaning. It is a compass that, if grounded in being authentic and honest, can direct you to the right people. The people that resonate with you and who are most like you – Your People. And who doesn’t want to partner with them?