How Does Your Network Grow? The Three Topographies

Hi there, happy Thursday!

Welcome to issue #26 of the Network Wrangler. We’re officially halfway through the year’s issues, and it’s my birthday! 🎂 

Would you kindly gift me feedback by replying to this email to tell me something you learned from reading the Network Wrangler this year? Thanks for the birthday love. 😃 

Now, here’s what we’re covering in today’s issue:

1. How does your network grow? Understanding topographies

2. Connectors: Be the person everyone wants to know

How Does Your Network Grow? Understanding Network Topographies

When you zoom out far enough to see the results of your social networking efforts, understanding different network topographies can significantly enhance your ability to build upon and leverage your connections.

The three major network topographies—expansionists, brokers, and conveners—each offer unique benefits and drawbacks. While it is useful to use these topographies to understand our networking habits at any given time, they are not prescriptive by nature. Instead, think of them more as observed patterns than as rigid templates. We adopt different topographies based on our current needs for meeting new people. Especially when we’re crunched for time and attention, knowing the type of connection you need to make to achieve a particular outcome is paramount.

Below, we’ll examine each topography's strengths and weaknesses. In the illustrations I’ve created, you’ll see that while each topography ultimately connects the networker type with 12 nodes, the number of connections needed to reach all these nodes varies by topography.

Expansionists are characterized by their extensive, broad-reaching networks. They cast wide nets, accumulating numerous connections across various fields and industries. The primary benefit of this topography is access to a vast array of information, resources, and opportunities.

Expansionists can quickly disseminate information and tap into diverse perspectives. However, the drawback lies in the superficial nature of these connections. Maintaining meaningful relationships with a large number of contacts can be challenging, often resulting in weaker ties.

Expansionist networks are useful when one needs to gather a wide range of information or identify opportunities across different domains.

You’ve likely been an expansionist in your life when you’ve moved to a new city or have started a new job or have become a parent for the first time.

Outside of those life events, this topography is ideal for salespeople, entrepreneurs, and those in dynamic industries where trends and opportunities evolve rapidly.

Brokers serve as intermediaries, connecting otherwise unlinked groups or individuals. They bridge gaps between networks, facilitating the flow of information and collaboration.

The main advantage of being a broker is the unique position of influence and control over valuable information and resources. Brokers can often leverage their connections for strategic advantages. The downside is the potential for being overburdened by the demands of maintaining relationships and facilitating interactions between different groups.

You’ve likely been a broker when you’ve needed to build coalitions or have managed a project across business functions. If you’re a creative type, you’ve likely used your broker tendencies to expose yourself to disparate ideas and influences to inspire new ways of thinking.

Indeed, broker networks are most beneficial in environments where innovation and collaboration are key, such as in consulting, project management, and technology development. They enable the cross-pollination of ideas and foster creative problem-solving.

Conveners focus on building deep, cohesive networks within a specific community. They nurture strong, trust-based relationships, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.

The benefit of this topography is the robust support system and the ability to mobilize a group effectively. However, the drawback is the potential limitation in accessing diverse perspectives and opportunities outside the immediate network.

You’ve likely been in convener mode when you’ve been part of a tight-knit group with your own lingo and inside jokes. You’ll know a convener network by the distinct insider/outsider boundary separating the group from the organization (or community).

Convener networks are ideal for leadership roles, community organizers, and professions requiring high trust and collaboration, such as healthcare and education. They excel in environments where close-knit collaboration and mutual support are critical.

Adapting Networking Habits

Just because you’ve tended to network along the contours of a particular topography doesn’t mean you’re locked in. Changing networking habits to suit your current needs involves assessing your existing network and identifying gaps.

• If broader opportunities are what you need, try shifting towards an expansionist approach by attending diverse events and connecting with a wider range of people.

• If innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration are required, try adopting a broker's strategy of linking disparate groups to create new synergies.

• If you’re seeking stronger support and deeper collaboration, focusing on convener tactics by investing more time in nurturing existing relationships, connecting your connections to each other, and building trust within a specific community is key.

By understanding and leveraging the appropriate network topography—expansionists, brokers, or conveners—you can greatly enhance your networking effectiveness. By aligning your networking habits to meet your current networking needs, you can maximize the benefits and minimize the drawbacks of each approach.

The Power of the Connector: How to Be the Person Everyone Wants to Know

So, we’ve just talked about the various topographies that contour your networking skills, and I’ve written previously about the value of having a Connector in your Inner Circle.

What about increasing your own value to your network by adopting the skills of a Connector yourself?

Being a connector is about more than just knowing a lot of people—it’s about being the linchpin that brings people together. As we’ve discussed before, Connectors are invaluable in any network because they facilitate relationships that might not otherwise form.

Here's how you can become a central figure in your professional and personal circles, transforming yourself into the person everyone wants to know.

1. Cultivate a Diverse Network:

   The first step to becoming a Connector is to build a diverse network. (Expansionist, anyone?) This doesn't mean simply collecting contacts but actively engaging with people from different industries, backgrounds, and expertise levels. By attending various networking events, joining groups, and participating in community activities, you can meet a wide array of individuals. The broader your network, the more connections you can make between people.

2. Listen Actively and Remember Details:

   Connectors are excellent listeners. They remember key details about people’s interests, projects, and needs. This attentiveness allows them to think of who in their network might benefit from knowing another person when the opportunity arises. Make a habit of noting down important information after meetings and conversations—these details can be crucial in making meaningful introductions. Hand-write these notes to better commit them to memory for rapid recall later.

3. Facilitate Introductions Thoughtfully:

   When introducing two people, always consider how both parties will benefit from the connection. Provide a clear reason for the introduction, outlining what each person brings to the table. Shaena Harrison (Professional Wingwoman) is a master at the art of making these kinds of introductions. Thoughtful introductions are more likely to develop into valuable relationships, and both parties will trust your judgment in the future.

4. Follow Up:

   After making an introduction, follow up with both parties to see how it went. This not only shows your genuine interest in their success but also helps you gauge the effectiveness of your match-making skills. If you’re going to make the effort to connect people, don’t you want to know if it panned out?

5. Be Generous and Supportive:

   Ultimately, Connectors are generous. They don’t keep score and genuinely enjoy helping others succeed. This generosity and support foster a positive reputation for you, making more people eager to connect with you and through you.

Becoming a Connector is a powerful way to enhance not only your own life but also the lives of those around you. By bridging gaps between people and fostering new relationships, you create a network that is robust, dynamic, and rich with opportunities, regardless of the topography they pattern into.

SCROLL: This Week’s Quick Hits

• Don't skip that happy hour: Why losing work friendships is bad for everyone. (Business Insider)

• Do We Need Language to Think? (NY Times)

• New Intelligence Model Could Upend Biology, Genetics, Medicine, and AI. (New Atlas)

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That’s all for this week. See you next Thursday!

— Birthday Boy Thomas

Heads up: July 8 is my next available date for coaching. We might be a good fit if you know you need to reconnect with your network and want to make the second half of 2024 when you harness the full power of your existing connections.

I work with clients to:

• audit their existing networks

• identify gaps and opportunities

• unleash the power of old and cold connections

I’m doing a workshop for a sales team this week to help them mine the value in their old and cold connections, and I couldn’t be more excited to help them!

Reply to this email if you want to know more.

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