Become A Star Connector… Join the Dots
The advantage of being a connector in society is unparalleled. In fact, the most powerful and successful individuals pride themselves on exactly this skill…
Nandan Nilekani of Infosys once said, in a newspaper interview, that he attributed a large part of his success to ‘connecting people and joining the dots…’ What he said sounds easy, but requires a lot of work.
Who is a connector exactly, you ask? Malcolm Gladwell, in his book The Tipping Point, defined a ‘connector’ as ‘someone who knows many people.’
But a connector doesn’t just know many people, and have a wide network, he goes beyond that. He understands how he can connect two people. And, he does this purely with the intention to help, without expecting anything in return.
Wikipedia explains this well, saying — connectors ‘usually know people across an array of social, cultural, professional, and economic circles, and make a habit of introducing people who work or live in different circles. They are people who “link us up with the world…people with a special gift for bringing the world together”.’
This ‘special gift’ of a connector stems from the understanding that everyone is connected to everyone and the more you connect, and join the dots, the sooner will the dots join back to you.
In your career, being a connector can help you progress much faster than you had expected. Everyone likes people who are helpful, and willing to share of themselves and their contacts… It reflects self-confidence and generosity.
You may think you are already a ‘connector’, but in essence, you may just be a ‘networker’… And, there is a marked difference between the two!
While both networkers and connectors focus on relationships, and understand their value in the personal and professional world, both have different intentions…
The networker looks at relationships to advance his own career, while the connector looks at ways to advance the careers of those in his network… In simple terms, one is in it for himself, while the other is in it for others.
This may seem like a small difference, but for those in business, it is a big one. It truly reflects your place in society… It reflects how far you’ve come with the network you’ve built, and your inherent sense of responsibility toward that network.
When you’re willing to connect two people, it also means you’re putting your own relationships at stake…
You may have built a good personal rapport with people, but till you don’t leverage that for the larger good, that network only serves you.
The other difference between networkers and connectors is, that, while networkers are more of opportunists and ‘social climbers’ — looking to meet people in higher positions — connectors look to link those in lower positions with those in higher positions… Hence, a connector helps boost someone else’s position.
Thus, to be a connector requires more than practice, it needs you to develop an attitude of giving and growing together…nothing that a small shift in mindset cannot change!
The article was first published on Common Sense Living, a digital publication with new-age lifestyle and wealth-building ideas.
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