Please share this with someone I don't know who may not like it

Every connection is valuable. But some connections are more valuable than others.

Network theorists have long known the way we connect is rarely random. We cluster. At its worst that means echo-chamber and group think. We follow, read, work with only the people we agree with. And our world becomes smaller as a result.

When you want to tackle the hard problems you need more variance in approaches, ways of thinking, life experience, cultural norms, belief systems, neural diversity as much as gender, age and ethnicity.

Network Theory tells us one extra node on our network has the potential to double the number of connections. But not if it simply reinforces your cluster. To repeat what you are doing, repeat the kind of connections you have. To change - and grow - what you are doing, seek difference.

Problems don't get much harder than the ones facing us today - economically, socially, environmentally, politically. Now is not a time to seek people like you.

Each new connection with someone outside your clusters opens your door to a new cluster.

This is true of problem solving, business development, team and organisational design.

So please share this with someone I don't know who may not like it.

Thanks.

Photo by Matthieu Joannon on Unsplash