Research has found that conveners tend to be less lonely. In networks of conveners, where everyone knows each other, people also tend to have higher levels of trust in each other.

Being a broker is likely to benefit us in contexts where innovation and creativity are valued, since brokers serve as the connecting link between groups with different ideas and experiences.

Expansionists’ popularity can help them make important professional connections. Research suggests that we’re likely to find jobs through people we know, but particularly through acquaintances (who know about opportunities we don’t) rather than close friends or family.

If you’re feeling like your social skills are a bit rusty or the prospect of attending a networking mixer has always put butterflies in your stomach, consider this:

The notion that we often hear, that it’s the size of your network that matters, or the number of people you know, is simply wrong.