GNT #063: Someone you barely know will help you

read time: 4 minutes

"Build up your inner circle."

Yes, having a strong personal board of advisors has helped me break through countless barriers.

(Mostly self-inflicted)

But you can't have strong relationships with everyone.

Actually, having acquaintances plays a really important role in your network too.

Last fall I was speaking at an event about fractional work. I struck up a conversation with a fellow attendee at the coffee table during a break.

We talked about the weather, our gardens, and I learned a few tips for weed control.

She mentioned she was in my session and asked a few questions about how I structure my proposals.

We connected on LinkedIn.

She messaged me an article about raised row gardening.

I commented on a few of her LinkedIn posts over the winter.

A few weeks ago she reached out to me for help on marketing strategy for her business.

This was a nice reminder to me that the seeds of opportunity are often planted in those casual conversations.

A team from Stanford, MIT, Harvard, and LinkedIn recently conducted the largest experimental study to date and found that acquaintances or "weak ties" as they called it, have a greater impact on opportunities coming your way than strong ties.

Today's newsletter dives into the the important role acquaintances play in your network, how they help you reach your goals, and how you can cultivate and support them ongoing.

Bridging Gaps: How Acquaintances Unlock Hidden Opportunities

It might seem counterintuitive at first, but those outside your immediate circle—people you may only interact with sporadically or know through mutual contacts—often are the ones that bring unforeseen opportunities.

This doesn't undermine the value of your close-knit group, it reinforces the importance of diversity within your network.

The weak ties theory studied in the report is based on the idea that weak ties allow distant clusters of people to access information.

[Image cred Scientific Reports: Detecting Communities Based on Network Topology]

Acquaintances do the subtle but important work of building bridges between tight-knit communities

Without those weak ties or casual connections, there would not be flow between the various communities.

Each person would only have information local to their own small hub.

This disadvantages us all.

We would miss out on trends that did not happen to originate in our particular community.

In fact, according to the study, the removal of weak ties can prove to be catastrophic to the overall network function.
 

How to Cultivate Casual Connections

But how exactly can we nurture these weaker ties within our network?

Make Them

Attend industry or networking events. Ask for new connections in networking meetings. Create an ongoing way that you'll meet new people outside of your current circles.

Create an Emotional Connection

Proactively seek genuine connection based on empathy and a givers spirit.

(One of my favorite books - The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann.)

Sometimes that's as simple as active listening, offering support, or showing vulnerability.

This is memorable.

Once you make that emotional connection, don't forget to get connected on LinkedIn or other another social channel that makes sense.

Read more: GNT #002: How to Connect with Anyone in 60 Seconds or Less

Leverage Broad Outreach

Social media, speaking in person or on podcasts, email newsletters.

Broad visibility and authority built over time supports those weak ties.

Curate and Create Content

Be a helpful resource. Share insights, trends, and stories that resonate with you.

Chance are they'll resonate with your broader network too and keep you visible when problems arise that need fixing.

Facilitate Introductions

Be the connector or "bridge" as the researchers called it. Take the initiative to introduce people within your network who might benefit from knowing each other.

This strengthens the broader network and allows you to be remembered as someone who adds tangible value.

Stay in touch

A simple DM or sharing a piece of content that reminds you of a conversation you had, can keep the connection warm. If you keep a networking CRM, include the date that you last met.

Don't Forget to Solidify Strong Connections

Your personal board of advisors has a special place in your network.

Don't overlook the profound impact of deep, meaningful relationships.

These strong ties—mentors, close colleagues, and long-term clients—form your personal advisory board.

They offer guidance, support, and help you solve the toughest of problems.

You need one of each of these in your inner circle.
 

The Gentle Art of Network Harmony

The best cultivators of networks that I know are artists when it comes to their craft.

They lead with a giving spirit.

They nurture the delicate balances among community, inner circle, and explore ways to connect weak ties -- which benefits our entire ecosystem of people.

Takeaway

Acquaintances play an important role in your network and will bring you opportunities you weren't expecting.

And by supporting those weak ties, you're helping the broader community stay connected too.

Over the next week, how can you support those weak ties?

See you next Thursday.

p.s. Interested in a casual meet up for local MN Grow North Thursday subscribers? And maybe a mobile sauna tour. 😉

Reply and let me know if you'd be interested in this!

(You may just meet some awesome new casual acquaintances. 😃)

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