Life Dynamics

Staying Connected

Why this tactic matters
Few individuals succeed on their own, operating completely independently of others. Success for most lies in building a network of contacts and establishing a matrix of inter-connected relationships that provides you with access to additional information and resources. Staying Connected widens your sphere of potential influence and power.

Operating independently, confining relationships to a small circle of like minded people		A proactive networker, building and maintaining a matrix of relationships across different spheres to extend influence

Don’t go it alone Recognise the “law of the few” The next person you meet may transform your life Head, hands and shoulders: a people-picking formula Keep in touch with old friends and work colleagues Put names to faces Make others feel special Get to know the background of your key business and life contacts Ask for help You get what you give Doing good for others is good for you Find a mentor Networking that isn’t networking Don’t work with friends Use the “law of attraction”		Be a good judge of character. Evaluate the “authentic moments” of life Look out for friends who are enemies Make yourself indispensable Search out talent Spot the rising stars Seek out diversity Too much circulation and your price goes down Act as a middleman Choose your role models wisely Be careful with your associates Be discreet Know when and how to end relationships Spend some time alone

Galton’s Ox and Collective Intelligence
In 1906, Francis Galton, known for his work on statistics and heredity, came across a weight-judging contest at the West of England Fat Stock and Poultry Exhibition. An ox was on display and for six-pence fair-goers could buy a stamped and numbered ticket, fill in their names and their guesses of the animal's weight after it had been slaughtered and dressed. The best guess received a prize.

Eight hundred people tried their luck. They were diverse. Many had no knowledge of livestock; others were butchers and farmers. Galton, skilled in statistics, but also looking for ways to substantiate his belief that democracy is a flawed political system, since the average voter was capable of very little, averaged the guesses. The result to his surprise: 1197 pounds. After the ox had been slaughtered, it weighted 1198.

Groups can be remarkably intelligent and are often smarter than the smarter person in them. Staying Connected allows you to go beyond the constraints of your own personal experience and expertise to access a greater intelligence – “the wisdom of the crowd”.

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