Zero Degrees of Separation

“We don't accomplish anything in this world alone... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.” ~ Sandra Day O’Connor

I recently had an opportunity to attend the world premiere of Showtime's new drama series, City on a Hill (which I highly recommend by the way). When I posted my various pics from the event on social media, one particular photo op caught the eye of numerous friends, whose responses referenced "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.” WOW, flashback. Does anyone remember that parlor game back in the 90s conceived by some college students who asserted that any actor in Hollywood was linked to Kevin Bacon in six movies or less?

Most of you have probably heard of the idea, "six degrees of separation”, which contends that all people are six, or fewer, social connections away from each other. I’ve always been fascinated by this notion, and in fact have pointed to it in various keynotes and discussions as one of many reasons why developing meaningful relationships is key - to our happiness and thus our success. It's not just because it's good networking, but rather, I believe that it's our "connectedness” each other that fuels us and gives our life meaning. I've also used it to reinforce the old adage of ensuring that you should never burn a bridge, because, well, you never know who knows who and importantly, you never know whom you will cross paths with in the future. Do you agree? 

There's now proven science that being connected to others helps us live longer. And there is case study after case study that show people are most fulfilled and thus happiest when we are helping others. In essence, we don't really want to be separated at all and in so many ways, social media has fundamentally changed the way we can connect - whether that's between two people, across groups of people, between people and organizations...communities...companies...causes... and so on.

In fact, some say that today, thanks to social networking, we are no longer "six degrees separated” from anyone - that it's more like three and a half degrees or something like that. Regardless of the number, I doubt that anyone would debate that our degrees of separation today are fewer than they used to be - whether it's compared to a decade or many decades ago. Countless innovations continue to be sparked by this desire to be connected. And it's all about communications which require an understanding, desire, as well as enablers with which we can use to connect together. What do you think?

However, importantly, let's not forget that relationships and true connections are different than acquaintances or the “modern day connections” often offered up through social media. It's up to us to seek and foster those meaningful relationships - which takes work of course - and embodies our humanity in a way that is uniquely ours. What do you think is the role of social media in this mission? Is there one? How do you think differently about this across your various social platforms? Whether you subscribe to the theory of six or five or three degrees of separation - relationships, both personal and professional, are formed on the basis of zero. Yep, no rocket science there, meaningful relationships have zero degree of separation. The beautiful thing about this is that physical distance is no longer an inhibitor in our desire and ability to connect with others thanks to the digital transformation happening all around the world. 

P.S. You can also connect with me on Twitter.