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.
The downside of convening networks is that their members may have less exposure to new ideas.

Convening Networks

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.
What is far more important than the number of people you know is the strength and the quality of your social connections.

The Quality Of Social Connections

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. 
However, expansionists’ large numbers of connections can also put them at risk for burnout from the many demands on their time.

Expansionists Network

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:
<ul>
<li>In social interactions, we tend to think others are judging us more critically than they actually are. </li>
<li>Social skills are just that—skills—and we can improve on them with practice.</li>
<li>If you have a tendency to be self-conscious during social interactions, try to flip the focus of your attention to the other person and learn about them.</li>
</ul>

How to Make Networking Less Awkward

There are three main styles of networking that people tend to use when navigating the social world:
<ul>
<li>Conveners tend to form close, interconnected groups. They tend to have social networks populated by mutual friends.</li>
<li>Brokers tend to have social networks that overlap less. If you’re a broker, you may have several friend groups that don’t interact with each other.</li>
<li>Expansionists are social butterflies—they tend to have extremely large social networks with numerous acquaintances.</li>
</ul>

The Building Blocks of Social Networks

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.
Brokers also appear to have better work-life balance, which may be due to their tendency to keep work and home life separate.

Brokers Network

According to a new book, we can get more enjoyment and benefit out of our relationships if we understand how social networks function.

How to Make Networking Less Awkward

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