By Joshua Trolinger

There are eight billion people that inhabit the spinning orb we call Earth. Every day we pass by hundreds to thousands of those people in our daily life, whether in a car commuting to work, directing traffic through a work-zone, passing shoulders in the grocery store or in today’s space across our social media platforms. What we don’t see on the surface is how we are connected to each one of those people in some capacity — who they may know, how they know them and how we all fit into this network together. It’s become the norm to “connect,” sometimes not knowing how impactful those relationships could be to our future.

I started my career in this industry in 2007 with one of the largest names in the business, COLAS. It was nothing more than an opportunity for a fresh college graduate to start their career. It would later progress into professional development, excelling quickly into management positions, transfers to new states through opportunities and even changing from one industry to another. All of which only happened from my college professors’ network of colleagues in the industry. I learned at once the power of networking.

In 2012, I exited the construction industry and took a chance in the agricultural industry; first with a local equipment dealership and quickly moving on with one of the Alamo Group Companies. Ultimately, it was the relationships made along the way by simple conversation with unfamiliar individuals about life and the pursuit of excellence in our careers. This would be a fun journey that would eventually lead me back to the construction industry with LeeBoy a mere nine years later.

Networking — it’s the missing link for so many in obtaining life goals. Learning to invest in yourself with each relationship is the key to personal growth. Everyone has a purpose in this crazy world. Whether it’s to educate, construct, manage or facilitate, every person that you encounter has knowledge that will make you grow. To become successful, you need to work on your ability to recognize the strengths in every person you meet, harness their abilities to increase your potential and share your experience to aid in their growth. Sharing in growth together amplifies success.

In my position with LeeBoy, networking has been the foundation to my current growth and success. Earlier co-workers have moved into upper management positions that open doors for new relationships for national accounts. Others have started their own businesses that have allowed us to consider partnered products for better processes of sustainability. Networking has also helped current customers find new relationships to help complete work in unfamiliar areas.

If you’re not networking, you’re limiting your capabilities. Step out of your comfort zone and have the first discussion with someone new at a conference, on the manufacturing floor or while you’re pumping gas. You never know who’s standing next to you … it could be a new customer or your next big break.

Joshua Trolinger is a National Account Manager with LeeBoy. He can be reached at Joshua.trolinger@leeboy.com