In a classic study, sociologist Mark Granovetter showed that people were 58 percent more likely to get a new job through weak ties than strong ties. How could acquaintances be more helpful than good friends?
Get Started for FREE
Sign up with Facebook Sign up with X
I don't have a Facebook or a X account
Your new post is loading...
Your new post is loading...
Anne Egros's comment,
June 17, 2013 9:48 AM
David, you are right in the virtual world and in curating in particular you can see clearly the people who support you by quoting or sharing your sources rather than just go to the article and take credit for discovering it :-) Thanks David for being supportive !
Anne Egros's curator insight,
June 17, 2013 9:55 AM
I think I am a generous person but I am fed up with people sending me canned linkedin messages. I need to know why people want to connect with me and take the effort to articulate it in a personalized message. |
|
Adam Grant resurfaces the old argument for LinkedIn of whether to connect with people whom you don't know - these are typically called weak ties or weak links.
Adam suggests that the weak ties and links can bring value to your network. You don't have to know everyone well to be connected. So many people limit the value of their network by ONLY connecting with individuals they personally know.
If all you did was connect with people who know you well, how would you ever expand your network?
I get great value by connecting with individuals in my target niche (CEOs, HR Execs, Sales Execs, and other speakers/consultants). Some of these grow to become strong ties or links, some hover on the margin or lurk in the background, and some pass along leads and opportunities - much as I try to do for them if I understand their needs.
Adam went on to describe a third group I had not considered - dormant ties - the folks we knew once but lost touch with. Some of these can bring powerful value to your network. I like Adam's idea of connecting with at last one dormant tie per month.
Final thought: I like Adam's idea of giving first - how he can help members of his network. I find when giving, most people want to reciprocate and give back. Are you a giver or a taker?
You never know where a connection might lead.
What's your startegy for connecting with weak or dormant ties?
Barry Deutsch
Social Media Coach to Vistage and TEC Chairs
Are you reading our dedicated Chair blog to learn how to create an abundance of CEO referrals?
http://www.impacthiringsolutions.com/vistagechairs