Niall Ferguson, historian-by-trade, studies network science and has recognized six historic laws of networks. By considering these laws, we can do more than just understand networks. We can discover how to use them more strategically. In this lesson preview, Ferguson details his six laws and we consider how to improve our connections.
5 Habits of Highly Connected People
Birds of a feather flock together
- Individuals tend to associate and bond with similar others-a concept called homophily.
- At first blush, this may seem to narrow our networking potential, but it actually expands it. By making our networks more inclusive and cultivating mutually beneficial relationships, we expand the flock.
Networks never sleep
Stay vigilant
Networks network
Networks have interactions-they can meet, fuse, and fight
It’s a small world
There are just six degrees of separation between any two randomly selected individuals (and even fewer when social media are introduced).
- We can use this law to make networking less intimidating.
- You likely have the connections necessary to make new, critical connections feasibly. So reach out!
Networks are inegalitarian
Some nodes are far better connected than the majority, creating influencers
- Consider where on the power structure your network best fits and actively work toward strengthening that power structure
- How Do Networks Work?
- Six Laws for Strategic Networking
- Why We Should Fall Out of Love with Online Social Networks
- Work Your Network
- The Power of Onlyness: Go from “You” to “Us” with Trust
- Rethink Networks: Strategies for Making Users More Valuable
Virality depends on superconnected nodes
Network structure is as important as content when it comes to spreading ideas
- Use their connections to your advantage – if your idea, product, or name is shared by the superconnector, it spreads through their well-connected node
