Power Connector - First Thoughts
I’m currently reading “How To Be A Power Connector” on the basis of a recommendation.
This book outlines the vast benefits of having a big network (maybe a bit too much) and gives tips on how to build such a network.
I’ll outline what I understand here, for future reference, but it’ll probably be partly wrong.
Circles
A network must be split in circles.
There are three circles – the first one is made of the 5 people I interact with on a daily basis.
I don’t know yet about the others – the author didn’t really mention it.
The idea is that past this circle, the people are not really worth keeping in touch with.
What I’m thinking is that it’s fine to have a lower limit to start off – if my network consisted of 25 people that I keep in touch with, that would already be a big upgrade from what I currently have.
Keeping in touch
It’s important to keep in touch with the peoples in the network on a regular basis, just to genuinely know how their life is going.
The goal is to build genuine mutual trust, so that when you need them, you can reach out to them.
You can also simply say that you have a problem when reaching out, and some people might propose their help naturally.
Picking the right people
There should be a strict selection process to pick the people allowed in the circles.
They should:
- share the same values
- be relatively responsive
Diversity is good
The network should be as diverse as possible; the goal is not to know everybody in my field of interest, but rather, being able to link totally unrelated people together.
That sounds like a time drain…
This looks like a good way to waste time talking to people rather than honing your craft…
A challenge to make a lot of connections
Just pick somebody, and take them out to lunch.
Do this everyday for a month.
This would help a lot.
Each interaction is like a deposit into a bank
Each interaction won’t give me back anything right away.
But one day, when I need the person, they’re going to be able and willing to help me.
Linchpins
It’s super useful to have other people that connect with other people in your own network.
Gatekeepers
It’s useful to be connected to up-and-coming people rather than established people – they are the one that are going to come up with a new idea.
Actions to take
Formalizing my current network on Obsidian
I’m thinking about creating a master note called “PRM” (People Relationship Manager)
In this note, I’ll have a table that contains all the people I’m keeping in touch with.
Each person will have a separate note where I can put information after each interaction (I have a really flaky memory, so this would help – usually, friendships don’t last that long because I can’t remember important stuff… It takes me a while until somebody is accepted in the same memory category as my close friends, girlfriend and family, where I still have to do a lot of effort to remember things).
Creating a schedule
I could just create a Beeminder goal that prompts me to reach out to one person every 2 weeks.
Later on, I can adjust it and make it every day.