David Burkus talked to Ed Andrew about the art of networking. David is recognised as one of the world's leading forward-thinking business leaders, his ideas and bestselling books are changing how companies approach innovation, collaboration, and productivity.

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As a skilled researcher and inspiring communicator, Burkus is one of the foremost minds shaping the future of business. The bestselling author of three books, Burkus’ latest work Friend of a Friend explores the science of how networks and relationships drive business—both inside and outside of the organization. By blending the most current research in psychology, sociology, economics, and network science, Burkus offers a fresh perspective on how to improve our networks and build key connections.

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Burkus’ award winning books have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and his TED Talk has been viewed over 2 million times. By making cutting-edge organizational research accessible and applicable, Burkus pushes audiences to reconsider how they work both individually and in teams and unlocks the methods top performers use to thrive at work and in life.

A renowned expert, former Professor of Innovation, Dr Burkus’ writings have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, USAToday, Fast Company, and more. He’s been interviewed by NPR, the BBC, CNN, and CBS This Morning. Since 2017, Burkus has been ranked as one of the world’s top business thought leaders by Thinkers50.

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• why he wrote his latest book Friend of a friend, and how networking books fall into 2 camps, - advice or fascination books - he is trying to can we split the difference

 

• discussing writing his book, doing tons of research with no idea how it will turn out (7)

 

• the irony of how we are all connected JT McCormick, Tucker Max, Steve Sims, Ed and David

 

• social networks and homophily, like attracts like - how all of us need diversity in our network, how networks compound and grow organically (12) 

 

• discussing the different types of network contacts - weak ties and how you want to get connected to them - build your network before you need it 

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• build social capital to ask for favours, becoming known as a giver

 

• asking questions around activities rather than positions, 

 

• why you should not for a specific recommendation to a person (18)

 

• explaining the double opt in and being ghosted (20)

 

• "the clock of awkwardness" (28)

 

• planning an event for dormant connections and new ones (32)

 

• discussing network science and preferential attachment - the more connections you have the more you can grow your networking organically - building momentum and building communities (36)

 

• shared activity brings in more diverse connection

 

• explaining the illusion of majority, someone thing can appear popular in a network albeit it may not be popular, (42) 

 

• who are the 5 people in that network who start talking about your thing and they will start listening to you, creating value for that whole network and trusting (46)

 

• discussing the three elements in your network, weak and dormant ties, friends of friends and random strangers

 

• explaining multiplexity - if you find multiple ties to connections with people you make deeper connections, find other facets which are not work related, you are more likely to have something in common than no-one else does - humans are multi faceted so be multi fascinated with them (51)

 

• placing personal relationships first, friends before business and transaction and trust in that (53)

 

• "what is your network it is not my network it is the network"

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To contact David click on the following social links

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davidburkus.com

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