Reciprocity is a fundamental social force that promotes mutual support and cooperation, encouraging people to return favors and build a network of trust. When someone extends a kind gesture or help, we often feel a natural urge to reciprocate. This "rule of reciprocity" is a powerful social norm that shows up in our daily interactions—whether it’s returning an invitation or responding to a neighbor’s kindness with a similar gesture.

In the workplace, reciprocity can be transformative. Acts of mutual support, such as covering tasks for a colleague or sharing valuable insights, build trust and foster a collaborative environment. For instance, if a team member helps you during a challenging deadline, you’re likely to want to return the favor when they need support. Over time, these exchanges lay the foundation for strong, trusting relationships, where everyone knows they can rely on each other when it matters.

Insight: If you want to build trust with a colleague, start by offering a small gesture of support. This act of reciprocity can open the door to a positive relationship and foster a cycle of mutual help.

Build Rapport by Asking for Favors: The Benjamin Franklin Effect

Interestingly, asking someone to do you a small favor can also be an effective way to build trust—a phenomenon known as the Benjamin Franklin Effect. This effect suggests that people feel more favorable towards someone after doing them a favor, even if they previously felt neutral or negative about them. The effect was named after a story from Franklin’s own life.

Franklin once asked a political rival to lend him a rare book from his library. The rival agreed, and Franklin returned the book with a thank-you note. When they next met, the rival was polite and expressed a willingness to help him in other ways. The two eventually became good friends. Why does this work? Psychologists suggest that doing a favor for someone we don’t necessarily like can lead to cognitive dissonance. To resolve the dissonance of helping someone they’re ambivalent about, people convince themselves they must like the person enough to do them a favor.

Insight: Don’t hesitate to ask a colleague for a small favor. Doing so can trigger the Benjamin Franklin Effect, which may lead them to see you more positively and increase their willingness to help in the future.

Reciprocity as the first step to Deeper Connections

Over time, these give-and-take interactions go beyond mere transactions, creating opportunities for genuine rapport. Frequent exchanges increase the chances to learn about each other beyond work tasks, leading to deeper personal connections and understanding. This foundation of trust can enhance team dynamics, helping build a workplace culture where people readily support each other, knowing they’ll be supported in return.

Ultimately, reciprocity acts as a bridge in the workplace, transforming small acts of kindness and cooperation into meaningful connections and creating a culture of mutual trust and collaboration.