Podcast Summary
Turning homes into Airbnbs and becoming brokers: Utilize existing weak and dormant ties, expand networks, and focus on helping others to create valuable relationships and opportunities
Building and nurturing a network can bring unexpected benefits. Jen and Jordan shared their experiences of turning their homes into Airbnbs and becoming brokers, connecting guests to their local recommendations and sponsors. David Burkus, a network science expert, emphasized the importance of utilizing existing weak and dormant ties and becoming a connector within diverse niches. By focusing on helping others and expanding our networks, we can create valuable and mutually beneficial relationships. Whether it's through hosting guests in our homes or connecting people in our personal and professional lives, the potential for growth and opportunity is endless.
The importance of weak ties in expanding networks: Weak ties, individuals we know but don't interact with frequently, can provide access to new opportunities and resources through our existing networks, as explored in 'Friend of a Friend'.
The concept of networking often carries a negative connotation, but it's important to understand that hidden within our existing networks are valuable weak ties – individuals we know but don't interact with frequently. These weak ties can provide access to new opportunities and resources. The book "Friend of a Friend" explores this idea in depth, drawing on research in network science. The authors argue that while traditional networking advice is useful, it often overlooks the importance of understanding the science behind how networks form and function. The conversation between the speakers in this text marked the beginning of the speaker's fascination with network science concepts, leading him to write the book. The term "network science" is more appealing than "networking" because it encompasses scientific concepts related to persuasion, influence, and social capital. The book offers new and novel insights, including the importance of weak ties in expanding one's network.
Reconnecting with dormant ties: Reach out to weak ties on social media to strengthen relationships and tap into new resources. Don't wait until you're in need, build now.
While we often focus on our closest connections when seeking help or advice, it's the weak and dormant ties in our network that can provide us with unique perspectives and valuable information. These relationships may have fallen by the wayside, but they can be reengaged to strengthen our networks and broaden our horizons. Research suggests that these weaker ties are particularly effective for making referrals and giving advice because they offer fresh perspectives that are not readily available from our closest connections. To capitalize on these dormant ties, we can start by reconnecting with people we've neglected on social media platforms like Facebook. By reaching out to those we interact with least, we can build stronger relationships and tap into a wealth of untapped resources. As Harvey Mackay once said, "Dig your well before you're thirsty." So don't wait until you're in need to reconnect with your weak ties – reach out to them now and build a stronger, more diverse network.
Revive Weak Ties with Social Media: Use social media as a tool to reconnect with weak ties by going beyond likes and comments, and engaging in deeper conversations through email, text, or phone calls.
Making an effort to reconnect with weak and dormant ties can be as simple as using publicly available information from social media as a conversation starter. Instead of just liking or commenting on posts, try reaching out through deeper mediums like email, text, or phone calls. Use the newsfeed as a tool to engage in meaningful conversations by acknowledging the post, offering value, and asking about what else is new. This approach can help overcome the awkwardness of reaching out after a long time and can lead to effective and productive reconnections. Remember, the hierarchy of engagement on social media goes from a like at the bottom, to email, text, phone call, and finally seeing someone in person. Use this hierarchy to guide your reconnection efforts and turn weak ties into strong ones.
The power of reconnecting with old acquaintances: Reconnecting with old acquaintances can lead to unexpected opportunities and significant gains. Maintain these connections and be open to rekindling them, even if they seem dormant or weak.
Dormant ties or weak connections in our network can lead to unexpected opportunities and significant gains. The story of Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta, high school friends who reconnected at a wedding and went on to buy and build the UFC into a multibillion-dollar business, is a powerful illustration of this concept. Sometimes, reconnecting with old acquaintances can lead to valuable collaborations and the creation of new opportunities. It's essential to maintain these connections and be open to rekindling them, even if they seem dormant or weak. The UFC's success story is a reminder that the potential for growth and profit lies in the unexpected and the reconnection of seemingly disparate circles.
Revitalizing old connections through email interactions: Contactually helps manage and maintain relationships by keeping existing connections warm and engaged through email interactions, emphasizing the importance of investing time and effort in networking for personal and professional growth.
Rekindling old connections and strengthening weak ties is a valuable strategy for networking, even without the use of social media. Contactually is a useful tool for managing and maintaining these relationships through email interactions, but it requires investment and effort. Many people overlook the importance of networking and view it as a time-consuming or unnecessary task, focusing instead on meeting new people. However, Contactually is designed to help keep existing connections warm and engaged, rather than just focusing on expanding your network. It's important to remember that building and maintaining relationships takes time and effort, but the rewards can be significant in both personal and professional contexts.
Using intentional systems to manage relationships: Tools and techniques like news feed hack and contacts roulette help manage relationships authentically by keeping contacts at the forefront and finding relevant reasons to reach out.
Using tools and techniques like the news feed hack and contacts roulette can help manage and strengthen relationships without constant notifications. These methods involve keeping contacts at the forefront of your mind and finding relevant reasons to reach out, ensuring authenticity. While some may view this as cheating or inauthentic, it's essential to remember that intentional systems, like using a calendar for important dates or reminders, apply to all relationships, not just digital ones. The issue arises when relationships become fully automated, lacking genuine effort and interaction. Ultimately, the most valuable use of technology is in supporting and enhancing authentic, offline relationships.
Bridging gaps between communities: Identify structural holes in networks, connect disparate communities, and unlock new insights, ideas, and opportunities.
We can all benefit from expanding our networks and bridging gaps between different communities. According to network science, structural holes refer to the spaces in a network created by clustering, where people tend to group together based on shared experiences or ideologies. These gaps can hinder innovation and growth as people within the clusters become too similar and stagnant. To unlock value for ourselves and others, we can strive to be brokers and fill structural holes by connecting different communities. This can lead to new insights, ideas, and opportunities. An inspiring example of this concept in action is Jane McGonigal, a game designer who turned her recovery from a head injury into a game and then used her expertise to connect the video game and medical communities, creating the SuperBetter program. By being the bridge between these two seemingly disparate communities, she unlocked significant value and transformed the recovery process for many individuals. To become a bridge between communities, it's essential to identify the gaps and understand the unique perspectives and strengths of each community. It may not always be a straightforward process, but the potential rewards can lead to personal growth and significant impact on the world around us.
Focus on growing in one community before expanding to another: To effectively bridge two communities, first expand connections within one, then use existing networks to introduce yourself to new communities, and leverage super connectors to facilitate introductions.
To effectively bridge two communities, you need to be deeply embedded in one of them first. You can't forcefully introduce yourself to a new community without being rejected. Instead, focus on expanding your connections within the community you're already a part of. Once you have a decent network, identify communities you're interested in and use your existing connections as referrals to introduce you to more people. Super connectors, or highly connected individuals, can help bridge gaps between networks. These individuals have a disproportionate number of connections due to their centrality in a network. Over time, as you build your own network, it becomes easier to make new connections, following the principle of preferential attachment. In essence, focus on growing your presence in one community before expanding to another, and use your existing connections to facilitate introductions.
Building a network takes time and effort: Consistently put in effort to answer emails and make introductions to build a network over time, focusing on the well-being of the network as a whole
Building a strong network takes time and deliberate effort, even if it may seem effortless for others. The concept of preferential attachment, or the idea that people are more likely to connect with those who already have a large network, can make it feel daunting for those starting from scratch. However, by consistently putting in the work, such as answering emails and making introductions, one can gradually accumulate connections and build a significant network over time. This process is not about running up a score or being outwardly boastful, but rather focusing on the well-being of the network as a whole. While it may take longer for some individuals to develop their networks due to a lack of systems or experience, with dedication and a focus on helping others, a substantial network can be established in a few years.
Expanding our mindset to help others: By focusing on connecting and helping others in our network, we enrich our own lives and create a snowball effect where our network begins to take care of us.
Instead of focusing solely on how people can help us in the moment, we should expand our mindset to consider how we can connect and help others in our network. This approach not only benefits those we meet but also enriches our own lives. By actively looking for ways to make connections, we create a snowball effect where our network begins to take care of us. This mindset is not limited to professional settings; we naturally apply it in our personal lives as well. The key is to shift our focus from self-interest to the interests of others and the community as a whole. This approach not only makes networking more authentic but also makes every interaction valuable, even if the immediate benefit may not be apparent.
Building authentic connections for networking and influence: Focusing on genuine relationships with key influencers in a community can lead to greater networking success and influence
Building authentic connections with people can significantly improve networking and influence. This was discussed in relation to Dale Carnegie's classic book "How to Win Friends and Influence People," which emphasizes treating people as friends rather than business contacts. This concept was further illustrated through the example of Tim Ferriss and his "surround sound effect" strategy, which involved targeting key influencers in a specific community to promote his work and make it seem more popular than it was. This principle is based on the fact that we take cues from the people around us and the most connected individuals in a community have subtle influence over others. By focusing on building genuine relationships with these individuals, one can make a bigger impact than might initially seem possible.
Leveraging Influential Podcasters for Expanded Reach: Connecting with influential podcasters can help expand your reach and regain listeners after a show change. Be aware of the risks of homophily and make an effort to bridge out and connect with diverse individuals and communities.
Expanding your network beyond your existing audience can help you regain listeners quickly after a show change. By identifying and reaching out to influential podcasters whose audiences overlap with yours, you can appear to be everywhere, even if you're not. This strategy, known as the illusion of the majority, can be especially effective when you have an established network and contacts. However, it's important to be aware of the downside of homophily, or the tendency for birds of a feather to flock together. When clustering goes too far, communities can become too segregated, and you may miss out on valuable connections outside of your immediate network. To avoid this, make a conscious effort to bridge out and connect with diverse individuals and communities.
The Limiting Effects of Homophily: Homophily can limit our networks to similar individuals, missing opportunities for growth and diverse perspectives. Deliberately expanding networks can broaden horizons and improve decision making.
Homophily, or the tendency to connect with people similar to ourselves, can limit the diversity of information and perspectives in our networks. This can lead to missed opportunities for growth, making better decisions, and creating value. The podcast company Gimlet faced this issue when they realized they had a lack of diversity, not just racially, but ideologically, within their organization. They had relied on recruiting people from their usual network, resulting in a homogenous group. To expand their network and gain new perspectives, it's essential to make a deliberate effort to connect with individuals from different backgrounds and industries. As Jim Rohn famously said, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." By expanding our networks, we can raise our own average and broaden our horizons.
The influence of our networks goes beyond our immediate friends: Networks shape social norms and can impact our decisions, happiness, and overall satisfaction with life, even if we've never met their friends.
The people in our networks, including friends of friends, have a significant impact on our lives beyond what we might initially think. A study by network scientists Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler found that our friends' obesity, smoking habits, and happiness levels can influence our own, even if we have never met their friends. This effect is due to the shaping of social norms in concentric circles. Therefore, it's essential to be intentional about our networks and consider the wider impact of the people around us, as it can influence our decisions, happiness, and overall satisfaction with life. So, the next time you think of networking as only professional or adding more contacts, remember that your friend of a friend is your future. And, as a bonus, David Burkus, the guest on the podcast episode, is known for his Batman underoos and superhero shirts with blazers.
Embrace the unpredictability of life and work: Focus on building connections, encouraging creativity, and adapting to the unexpected instead of trying to control every detail.
David Burkus emphasized the importance of embracing the messiness and unpredictability of life and work. He encouraged listeners to let go of the need for control and instead focus on building strong relationships and adaptable teams. Burkus also shared insights on how to foster creativity and innovation by creating an environment that supports experimentation and learning from failures. So, instead of trying to plan every detail and micromanage situations, focus on building connections, encouraging creativity, and embracing the unexpected. Additionally, Jordan Harbinger reminded listeners to engage with the podcast community by sharing their number one takeaway on social media, leaving iTunes reviews, and subscribing to the show. He also encouraged listeners to apply the concepts discussed in the episode to their own lives and share the show with others. Lastly, Jordan Harbinger mentioned some practical tips, such as using a unique nickname when leaving iTunes reviews and checking out Consumers Energy's smart thermostat program to help manage energy usage. Overall, the episode emphasized the importance of embracing the unpredictability of life and work, building strong relationships, and fostering creativity and innovation.