The Circle of Trust Closure
By Angie Weinberger | Global People Transitions
Many years ago, I met a woman on LinkedIn and supported her without charging because I felt she needed it and could not (under no circumstances) pay for our coaching. Recently, we got reconnected, and she connected me to a really interesting community in the NGO DEI space where female startup founders can also connect with investors.
I don’t really know yet what will come of this connection, but I definitely feel inspired, and I am so grateful to this woman. I am telling you this because you never know when the “networking karma” hits back (the empire strikes back in a good Jedi sort of way). This was an example of how the circle of trust closes and then might evolve into something bigger, something yet to be discovered…
Also, one or two of you talked to me about leveraging 2nd-Level connections on LinkedIn. I know you often think I have it all figured out, but that’s not entirely true.
As you have probably noticed by now, I am rather careful when I have not met a person IRL. I have a handful of amazing friends that I originally met online only (on Twitter, when that was still legal). So, approaching someone I don’t know is actually HARD for me.
However, once I have built trust with someone, I find it easy to talk about what I need or how I feel about life and work. And if I know that I helped someone in the past, I also find it easier to ask them for help. Not that this is always an expectation, but it makes it easier to ask.
Over the last few weeks, more and more people have contacted me on a channel to share how I have influenced their lives and work.
It almost feels a bit surreal, coming at a time when the business seems ready for a pivot. I think what is happening right now is the “networking karma” and the closure of the circle of trust.
Let’s look into this further.
1 – Move from “Stormtrooper” to “Jedi”
In the high-stakes world of Global Mobility and international recruiting, most professionals approach LinkedIn like “Stormtroopers”, blindly firing off connection requests to anyone with a relevant job title. This creates noise, not value. Also, it’s not always considered polite (and, in fact, not even allowed) to connect with someone without any significant prior interactions.
To become a Jedi in your field, you must move from a reactive “Connector” to a proactive connection seeker. This means leveraging your 2nd-level connections (the “friends of friends”) to build a strategic network that supports your career and your clients.
2 – Use the Follow Button
Before you can perform, your stage must be set. Most LinkedIn profiles are set to “Connect” by default. As an authority in your field, you want to shift to a “Follow-First” model. When you set “Follow” as your primary action, you allow 2nd-level connections to consume your content without you having to grant them immediate access to your private network. It builds “Social Proof.” By the time they see your content, they are primed to trust you.
LinkedIn misses an introduction feature (and I am not talking about a group chat). In our cultural context, an introduction feature would be useful, but LinkedIn misses a lot
…I recently thought an “Open to Global Mobility” badge would be useful too. As we don’t have this function, we need to find another way to close the circle of trust.
3 – Close the “Circle of Trust” via a common connection
How do you turn a stranger (2nd-level) into a collaborator? You use the “Circle of Trust”. Do not send a connection request to a high-value 2nd-level contact “cold.” Use this cadence over one week:
- Follow first and understand their content.
- Three Likes: Like three of their recent posts or comments. This puts your name in their notifications three times.
- Two Meaningful Handwritten Comments: Don’t just say “Great post.” Ask a strategic question or provide a counter-insight and COMMENT without using AI.
- One “Bell” Notification: Hit the 🔔 on their profile. This ensures you are part of the early “Jam Session” whenever they post.
This is how you amplify your Digital Media Presence.
4 – Craft the Connection Request and Meet in Person
When you send a connection request, mention the person of trust you both know and be clear about your ask.
Alternatively, ask for an introduction by group chat or email. When you finally hit “Connect,” you must use a personalized note. At Global People Transitions, we avoid the “Standard Template.”
“Hi [Name], I’ve been following your insights on Global Mobility trends—specifically your recent post on [Topic]. I’m currently leading the xxx and moving our mission toward a more human-centric model in xxx.
The Connection Philosophy: Keep your success sheet focused on your Top 20 PEOPLE (2nd-level connections via Angie, for example). Track your 3-2-1 engagement to ensure no fan is forgotten.
Meet in person: Once you have established your authority and trust, you should ask to meet in person at either a Global People Club Master Class or another “safe” event.
Invite the trusted person along: If you have a circle-of-trust situation, you can invite them for lunch or an apéro, for example.
5 – Link Your LinkedIn to Your Online Home
Your LinkedIn activity is the “Front Stage,” but your resources are the “Backstage.” You now want to send your followers and connections to a place where they can learn more about you and build a long-term relationship with you. For example, you could send them to a landing page where they need to enter their email ID to download a free resource you provide.
The Human Touch in a Digital World
LinkedIn is a tool. It is about using that tool to find the humans behind the data points. From where I stand at the moment, many wonderfully talented people have a hard time finding paid work or clients in Zurich. It’s probably not the best time to ask your network for support.
However, if you have invested before, you can ask directly. People will be glad to help.
You can’t expect shortcuts to building trust in this digital world.
We need to do the work.
In my view, it’s NOT a numbers game.
It’s a question of how supportive you are of the people who need your support when you are in a position of power. You can sometimes help with a small introduction, sometimes with giving your time, and sometimes with a donation.
The rest is networking karma.
Best Angie
PS: Thanks to AP, the lady I mentioned in the introduction, our work will now be recognized in the Best Observed Practices Guide for Inclusion in Switzerland, and we expect more positive vibes from this new collaboration. Stay tuned.
Resources
BrandEssence
Flyer BrandEssence – Your Personal Branding First Aid Kit for the Swiss Job Market
RockMeApp v3.0
UPCOMING GLOBAL PEOPLE CLUB MASTER CLASS
https://globalpeopletransitions.com/event
Event: Connections That Matter on 11 AUGUST 2026
Secure your spot at the upcoming event on 11 AUGUST 2026, organized by Mike Fritz.
The Human Advantage: Thriving in the Age of Automation and AI!. These highly limited tickets will go fast, so head over today to review our exciting agenda, enter your code, and automatically claim your savings. Contact angela@globalpeopletransitions.com for a discount.
https://4ds.oniva.events/en/event/connections-that-matter-11-08-2026
