Relationships Are the Heart of Thriving Networks

"It’s not about how many connections you have—it’s about the quality of those connections."

When we think about networks, the focus often starts with numbers: How many members? How fast is it growing? But the real strength of any network doesn’t come from size—it comes from the depth of relationships within it.

Networks thrive when members feel a sense of trust, connection, and belonging. It’s these meaningful relationships that transform a network from a collection of individuals into a powerful community.

So if you are building networks to support members to make an impact or develop then strong and meaningful relationships are at the heart. Avoid the seductive pull of high numbers of 'members' (or people signed up) and focus on the depth and strength of connection built between the engaged core.

Why Relationships Matter in Networks

1⃣ Relationships Build Trust

Trust is the foundation of any successful network. Without it, members are less likely to share ideas, collaborate, or fully engage. Meaningful relationships create the psychological safety that allows people to be vulnerable, innovative, and open.

Did you know that humans are naturally wired to maintain a finite number of meaningful connections? Anthropologist Robin Dunbar found that we can sustain about 150 significant relationships at a time. Beyond that, the quality of our interactions tends to drop. Networks that focus on fostering strong, sustainable relationships—rather than simply adding more members—align with this principle and set the stage for deeper trust and connection.

2⃣ They Strengthen Engagement

Members stay engaged when they feel personally connected to others in the network. It’s not just about being part of something—it’s about feeling seen and valued. A network where members know and support each other creates loyalty and sustained participation. And whilst great for engagement metrics, it's also a huge benefit to members...

A Harvard Study of Adult Development—an 80+ year longitudinal study—shows that meaningful relationships are the greatest predictor of long-term happiness and well-being. This is as true for networks as it is for life: when members build authentic connections, they are more likely to find joy and fulfillment in their participation.

3⃣ Relationships Amplify Impact

Strong connections lead to collaboration and collective action. Whether it’s solving problems, sharing resources, or driving change, the best results come when people trust and understand each other.

Sociologist Mark Granovetter’s research on “The Strength of Weak Ties” shows the power of both close and loose relationships. While weak ties help spread new ideas across groups, it’s the strong, trusted connections within a network that create the glue needed for deeper collaboration and sustained impact.

This is a driver for my strategic decision to create networks with limited membership and increased buy in from the start. I put a stop to pushing for growth of membership at all costs or having hundreds of people on virtual calls, and shifted out focus to intentionally craft experiences which over time develop strong ties across the membership. It's these groups of highly connected people that will lead positive change in their domain areas in future.

Here's some things to consider...

1️⃣ Facilitate Small-Group Interactions

• Big events are great for visibility, but smaller groups are where relationships form.
• Create opportunities like breakout sessions, roundtables, or project-based collaborations where members can connect on a deeper level.

It's important to plan these rather than throwing people together. Don't underestimate how uncomfortable these situations are for everyone - even the most confident networkers.

2️⃣ Prioritise Peer-to-Peer Connections

• Members don’t just want to connect with leaders—they want to connect with each other.
• Act as a facilitator by introducing members with shared interests or complementary skills.

Something we are trialling at in person events is having our facilitators actively introducing people to other members as they arrive to make sure everyone meets someone in the room. Ideally we know enough about members to pair them with someone working on something similar or with similar interests (this will come as we deepen our own ties with members).

3️⃣ Encourage Vulnerability and Authenticity

• Real relationships require openness. Foster a culture where members feel comfortable sharing their challenges, not just their successes.
• Lead by example: network leaders should model vulnerability and authenticity in their communications.

I think it's also critical to be mindful of this when introducing new members to networks and how that can shift the balance within a room. The trust required for people to be vulnerable comes over time and grows as ties deepen. From the outside this could be seen as 'cliquey' and from the inside it's very easy to put wall back up. This is where excellent onboarding and expert facilitation comes in.

4️⃣ Create Shared Experiences

• People bond over shared memories. Design experiences—both online and in-person—that encourage collaboration and fun.
• Think beyond formal events: consider informal meetups, collaborative projects, or even virtual coffee chats.

Location and time is also critical for this. We have seen the strongest ties are formed in person at locations which take people out of their 'norm'. A shared experience in a new/unique setting deepens the trust and connectedness between members.

5️⃣ Celebrate Relationships

• Highlight stories of connections made through the network. Celebrate collaborations, friendships, and achievements.
• Use these stories to inspire other members and reinforce the value of the network.

This isn't just for marketing purposes or to entice new members. It's important to reflect and share these stories with the existing membership. Celebrating together is a shared moment and is important to mark as a group.

Measuring Success: The Power of Relationship Metrics

How do you know if your network is fostering meaningful relationships? Look beyond traditional metrics like membership growth and focus on:

• Engagement rates: How often are members interacting, attending events, or participating in discussions?
• Collaboration outcomes: Are members working together to solve problems or achieve shared goals?
• Member feedback: Do members feel connected and supported by others in the network?

I am a firm believer that at its core, a network isn’t just about what people gain—it’s about who they gain. When members build meaningful relationships, the network becomes more than a group—it becomes a thriving, supportive community. It's astonishing (but not surprising) how often amazing things happen when you create conditions for excellent/ambitious/mission driven people to come together for a shared purpose.

As leaders, our role is to create the conditions for these connections to flourish. The depth of relationships within your network will determine its strength, longevity, and impact.