Comment by ChrisMarshallNY
21 hours ago
There's a difference between "networking," and "having a relationship."
I worked for a Japanese company, for a long time, and the Japanese were really big on personal relationships.
They weren't necessarily "warm and fuzzy" ones, but they were based on mutual respect and shared interests. I worked with many folks for decades, and we got to know each other well. We didn't always like each other, but we respected and supported each other.
Personal Integrity isn't something that can be faked. If you are in the kind of relationship I just described, fake integrity will be exposed fairly soon.
Yes, integrity is important no argument. I also agree it distinguishes "networking" and "having a relationship." I do think it can be faked though and I think we see plenty of that.
> I do think it can be faked though
That's because of the business culture we have here.
One of the more amusing things, while I worked there, was watching Americans thinking they had the Japanese fooled.