Tipping Point - Law of the Few

Today I called a "Connector,"(Jr. High School friend Rich) mentioned my need for a "Maven" (i.e. subject-area expert) then explained my purposes, "Salesman." This phone call was emblematic of the "Law of the Few" discussed in Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell, 2003.

Quite a few of my High School peers are pure "Salesmen" ... Bart, Kimball, and Earl are extraordinary "Salesmen" (i.e. their overwhelming charisma, magnetism, personality) enable them to authentically persuade others. All were gifted high school leaders in athletics and school government. They are "senders" of emotion.

I'm a Maven ... "a collector of information." I collect information and best practices professionally in the field of data management. Personally, I can detail how to buy fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts in the DC area. I'm also a maven of swimming, and casual fitness such as hiking, running, walking, etc.

SO WHAT. Well, by identifying who you are in a social network, then identify the 3 "TIPPING POINT" archetype's, you can change culture, you can change the marketplace, you can affect change in your community and possibly a nation. The book "Tipping Point," 2003, Malcolm Gladwell explains in storying-telling animated detail how "Connectors" function as social network hubs, in similar manner as the 10 major internet destinations -connect- all other network nodeson Internet. In other words, if you are a subject area expert ... who can you assist if you are Not Known.

Anyways, my friend Rich above is a "Connector" he tracks High School friends and provides 2nd-Link social network access to key people (i.e. Mavens) as appropriate. Did I find the subject-area expert (i.e. Geospatial Analyst-Developer) that I'm looking for with Rich, no, nonetheless Rich is a dear friend and his different view point, broadens me and softens my "Maven" ardent striving for information collection. Rich knows people, he is rich in empathy, context, intuitive areas. I will need to engage another "Connector" for Geospatial Developers.

This "Law of the Few" is one of three social rules discussed by Mr. Gladwell. "The Stickiness Factor" and the "Power of Context" complete his paradigm for making sense of epidemics.

***Coded language is used here for privacy reason, only certain High School friends will cypher above personalities.