Friend of a Friend: Understanding the Hidden Networks That Can Transform Your Life and Your Career

For those who find even the word networking cringe-worthy, business school professor Burkus (Under New Management) has an appealing take on how to build connections without feeling insincere or sleazy. He finds most conventional wisdom on the subject stale and outdated. Setting out to correct the misconceptions, Burkus observes that making connections is critical to career advancement and that a strong network means the advantage of access to social capital. Rather than offering a plethora of advice, this book provides insights about how networks actually function, such as the following: weak ties can be more valuable than strong ones; the ability to easily navigate a network is more important than how big it is; straddling the gap between several industries is more effective than knowing every person in a single one; organizational silos are valuable—up to a point; and no one benefits from getting too comfortable on a single team. Buoyed by practical advice and prompts for further thought, this is an excellent guide to career advancement for anyone who breaks out in hives at the mere presentation of a business card. Agent: Giles Anderson, Anderson Literary Agency. (May)