Episode #226: The Hidden Power of Networks with David Burkus

In this episode of Future Squared, I welcome back DAVID BURKUS, named one of the world’s top business thought leaders by Thinkers50 last year.

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His forthcoming book, FRIEND OF A FRIEND, offers readers a new perspective on how to grow their networks and build key connections—one based on the science of human behavior, not rote networking advice. He is also the author of UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT and THE MYTHS OF CREATIVITY. David is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and his work has been featured in Fast Company, the Financial Times, Inc magazine, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and CBS This Morning.

David’s innovative views on leadership have earned him invitations to speak to leaders from a variety of organizations. He’s delivered keynote speeches and workshops for Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Stryker and governmental and military leaders at the U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School. His TED talk has been viewed over 1.7 million times.

When he’s not speaking or writing, David is in the classroom. He is associate professor of leadership and innovation at Oral Roberts University where he was recently named one of the nation’s “Top 40 Under 40 Professors Who Inspire.”

I enjoyed reconnecting with David and learned a lot, some of which I applied the day after the interview with positive results.

You’ll learn:

• Why the best way to grow your network might not be by introducing yourself to  strangers at cocktail parties, but by finding strength in weak ties
• Why the biggest opportunities lie, not inside tight knit communities or clusters, but in between them; and
• And how to 10x the effectiveness of your warm introduction requests

With that, welcome back to the show... 220 episodes later, the one and only, David Burkus.

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Topics Discussed:

• Why the best way to grow your network might not be by introducing yourself to  strangers at cocktail parties, but by finding strength in weak ties
• Why the biggest opportunities lie, not inside tight knit communities or clusters, but in between them; and
• And how to 10x the effectiveness of your warm introduction requests
• What to say instead of “so, what do you do?”
• Why the best networking events have nothing to do with networking
• How to identify opportunities in your network
• Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon
• Jane McGonicall and becoming a power broker
• Tim Ferriss and the illusion of majority
• How to leverage influencers to amplify your reach and impact
• Why people who have more than one type of relationship have stronger ties

Show Notes:

1. Website: https://davidburkus.com/
2. Twitter: @davidburkus ‏
3. Bonus: davidburkus.com/future/
4. Episode #9: http://www.futuresquared.xyz/podcast/episode-9-david-burkus-on-rethinking-business-as-usual

Get David's books:

• Friend of a Friend...: Understanding the Hidden Networks That Can Transform Your Life and Your Career: https://amzn.to/2P6Dwv4
• The Myths of Creativity: https://amzn.to/2BLlBbN
• Under New Management: https://amzn.to/2NhKlcR
• The Portable Guide to Leading Organizations: https://amzn.to/2PGB1RB

Vote on a book title at bit.ly/stevesnewbook

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