Page 23 - March 2023

By Craig Darling

Networking is not just about making connections
and generating business opportunities. It can
also build community, benefiting individuals and
the wider community.

Community building is the act of bringing people
together and fostering a sense of belonging and
shared purpose. It can take many forms, from Fostering of relationships and trust
informal gatherings to more structured events, Networking can lead to the fostering of
and can be done online and offline. relationships and trust. When individuals get

When networking is done with the intention of to know each other through networking, they
are more likely to build trust and rapport.
community building, it can create a ripple effect This can create a sense of community based
that benefits everyone involved. Here are some on shared values and goals. When individuals
of the ways that networking can lead to trust and respect each other, they are more
community building and the benefits that result: likely to work together to achieve common
Sharing of knowledge and resources goals.
Networking is all about making connections and Creation of shared experiences
building relationships. When done with the Networking can lead to the creation of
intention of community building, these shared experiences. When individuals come
connections can lead to the sharing of together for a common purpose, they often
knowledge and resources. By pooling their have experiences that are unique to that
knowledge and resources, individuals can help group. These experiences can create a
each other to achieve their goals more sense of camaraderie and community that
efficiently and effectively. This can benefit not lasts long after the event. By creating
just the individuals involved but also the wider shared experiences, networking can help
community.
build a strong community.
Increased social capital Positive impact on mental health
Networking can increase social capital, which is Networking can lead to the creation of
the value of social networks and relationships. shared experiences. When individuals come
When individuals are well-connected and have a together for a common purpose, they often
strong social network, they are more likely to have experiences that are unique to that
have access to resources and opportunities. group. These experiences can create a
This can also benefit the wider community, as sense of camaraderie and community that
individuals with high social capital are often lasts long after the event. By creating
better equipped to give back to their shared experiences, networking can help
communities.
build a strong community.
Fostering of relationships and trust In conclusion, networking can be a powerful
Networking can lead to the fostering of tool for community building. When individuals
relationships and trust. When individuals get to come together to build a community, they
know each other through networking, they are can share knowledge and resources,
more likely to build trust and rapport. This can increase social capital, foster relationships
create a sense of community based on shared and trust, create shared experiences, and
values and goals. When individuals trust and positively impact mental health. By
respect each other, they are more likely to work networking to build a strong and inclusive
together to achieve common goals. community, individuals can benefit
themselves and the wider community.
Craig Darling, Darling Local, Inc.
https://www.darlinglocal.com/ iNETrepreneur Magazine | Page 23
craig@darlingdigital.us