Friend of a Friend

How best to invest the (generally scarce) time we have available to build and maintain our network? To answer this question, David Burkus relies on numerous studies dedicated to network dynamics. He draws several, often counter-intuitive, insights from his analysis.

Firstly, multiplying encounters to extend your network in all directions is not the ideal approach. Rather, the author recommends a targeted method. His observation: the professionals who most effectively mobilize their network—to find a new job, for example—are not those who have the largest collection of contacts. Nor are they “born networkers”, who are particularly charismatic or at ease socially. In fact, what distinguishes them is the diversity of their contacts and, even more so, the quality of the connections they have developed with them. David Burkus provides numerous pieces of advice inspired by these champions of constructive networking. For example, getting back in touch with former acquaintances rather than trying to find new ones. Or, targeting the friends of friends, who are generally quite easy to mobilize. The author also recommends seeking to become indispensable within your own network. Letting others come to you, once you have become sufficiently attractive, is a lot less tiring than going to them. Finally, he encourages us to combine what is useful with what is pleasant: it is better to create bonds with people who share with us a common passion (sports, culture, philanthropy, etc.) in a friendly environment. Friend of a Friend is thus packed with helpful suggestions for capitalizing on our existing network and building fruitful new relationships. 

A useful read to network intelligently.