How do you develop the skills and competencies required to bridge structural holes effectively?

1 Identify potential bridges

The first step is to identify potential bridges in your network. These are people who have ties to multiple groups or domains that are relevant to your goals or interests. You can use social network analysis tools or methods to map out your network and look for people who have high betweenness centrality, meaning they connect many other nodes in the network. You can also look for people who have diverse backgrounds, experiences, or affiliations that indicate their exposure to different fields or communities.

3 Leverage your existing ties

The third step is to leverage your existing ties to facilitate bridging. This means using your current contacts or connections to introduce you to new people or groups, or to endorse your credibility or expertise. You can do this by asking for referrals, recommendations, or invitations, by joining events, groups, or platforms where your contacts are active or influential, or by collaborating on projects, initiatives, or causes that involve multiple stakeholders.

4 Adapt to different contexts

The fourth step is to adapt to different contexts when bridging structural holes. This means adjusting your communication style, behavior, or expectations to suit the norms, values, or preferences of the different groups or domains you are connecting with. You can do this by learning about the culture, language, or etiquette of the different groups or domains, by being respectful, curious, and open-minded, by acknowledging and addressing potential conflicts or misunderstandings, or by seeking feedback or guidance from others.

5 Add value and diversity

The fifth step is to add value and diversity when bridging structural holes. This means contributing something useful, meaningful, or novel to the different groups or domains you are connecting with. You can do this by sharing your knowledge, skills, or insights, by offering your perspective, opinion, or feedback, by creating or facilitating new opportunities, collaborations, or innovations, or by challenging or enriching the existing ideas, practices, or paradigms.

6 Evaluate and improve

The sixth step is to evaluate and improve your bridging skills and competencies. This means reflecting on your experiences, outcomes, and feedback when bridging structural holes, and identifying your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. You can do this by setting goals and metrics for your bridging activities, by soliciting feedback from your contacts or connections, by reviewing your network structure and performance, or by seeking learning opportunities or mentorship from others.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?