Do you know a lot of people? - Are you very social, do you have the ability to bring people and ideas together? Or are you a book of knowledge? Do you love finding out the best-keet secrets about people and places and enjoy sharing your knowledge with others? Or are you a born negotiator? - Are you a salesmen that could sell sand to people before they go to the beach?
Did the first, second or third set of questions apply to you? What about all three? Well, if you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you are a certified Connector, Maven or Salesman. What are these terms? Glad you asked...
As a requirement for one of my courses my class read, "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. This book explains and makes sense of social epidemics and what causes them to tip. Gladwell says, "The Tipping Point is the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point." (Gladwell, 12). This is when a situation, trend, etc., reaches it's peak. In addition to this concept Gladwell explains many aspects of the epideminc that are motivators, such as: The Law of the few, Power of Context, The Stickiness Factor and much more. These ideals deal with the people and messege involved in epidemics. They are major influences that can shift a trend or issue.
One of the most interesting aspects I found in this book relates to the questions I asked you above. Those three terms [connector, maven and saleman] have to do with the Law of the Few. Gladwell explains these three types of people are very important to an epidemic. "the success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particlar and rare set of gifts." (Gladwell, 33). OK, so now you have identified which type of person you are and know that somehow you are really important, right? Yes, anticipation must be bubbling..... how are you important?
Well, connectors know a lot of people, but also the kinds of people they know are important. The peolple connectors know, usually are with different disciplines, interests and walks of life, etc. In relation to a epidemic you are important in being able to connect the trend to a vast majority.
If you are labeled a maven you have a big job as well. You are able to spread trends and information via word-of-mouth. You love to talk, right? So sharing places you've gone and things you have discovered should come natural to you.
Lastly, if you are the salesman, not only are you taking our money, but also you have the ability to make us believe what we are "buying" (more so, the information we receive) is important that we need it.
Wow! Did you really think your pesonality traits would win you a chapter in a novel? Well, they have! Pick up a copy of "The Tipping Point" to find out more. In the meantime, can you think of some social epidemics you've played your part in tipping?
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