people need to learn how to connect to new people on a regular basis.

And in doing so will need to assess each other and themselves with respect to the 'things' that will be exchanged in creating that connection .. knowledge that they each have and that can be interesting and/or useful (developed during social exchanges), trust at a level that allows exploration between what they know and what they're willing to offer), the credibility of what they say to each other and of the other information brought into the exchanges, and the results they are seeking (why they are connecting and what they may be seeking from the other).

Social negotiations for greasing the nodes of social networks-of-purpose. What creates stronger or weaker ties in networks over time. The organizing points for flows of effective collaboration towards shared objectives.