Most workplace collaboration happens between people who already trust each other. That comfort lets them be vulnerable, admit gaps, ask for help. About 99% of collaborative interactions are rooted in pre-existing relationships.
The people that you requested and shared information with were likely not on the other side of the room. And occasionally you'll get somebody that stands up and says, "Hey, what do you have for A?" Sometimes you have somebody that has, "Hey Sean, what's the answer to this one?" But what happens about 99% of the time is we collaborate with people we're already comfortable with. Collaboration is always going to be occurring. Those collaborative conversations require a foundation of a relationship, and that's why you reach out and request or share information, because you already have an established relationship that makes it comfortable to be vulnerable. Hey, I don't know this. Have you dealt with this before? Can you help me with— Hey, here's what I got for so-and-so. You might need that. That might be helpful.
