I recently participated in a poll and related discussion on Linkedin. I believe it was titled, Do you Accept Linkedin Invitations, Even from Strangers? The discussion was most interesting. The comments were deeply divided. On one hand, there were those who will accept any invitation, anytime, anywhere, from anyone. On the other hand, there were those who only accept invitations if there’s some type of connection in the first place. The net result was that each participant in the discussion was comfortable with his or her strategy. If it works, by all means keep doing it.

I’d like each of you to think of your network as a chain. It’s all these interconnected links, that are bound together. As it’s said, ” a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” With that said, how strong is your network? How strong is the weakest link in your network? Does having a huge network weaken the chain? Is it possible to maintain strength and integrity in that chain if you include everyone who can fog a mirror? Or does it make sense to maintain a smaller network of carefully chosen individuals? Is the weakest link in that chain, any stronger than that of a huge network of randomly chosen individuals. Make no mistake, this is not judgment or criticism, it’s simply an attempt to show both sides of the coin.

Plastic, or high tensile steel, the strength of the weakest link in your networking chain, is up to you. You have the ability to control and maintain the strength of your network. If you can manage unlimited relationships, and manage them well, by all means grow that network as large as you wish. If you find it difficult to manage a huge network, keeping it a  bit smaller may be what works best for you. Personally, I like to try and develop relationships within my network to a higher level of strength. I prefer high tensile steel, without including the universe. Make no mistake, it’s a good size network, one that proves very productive, primarily due to the strength of the chain.

Why are we so divided in opinions and approaches to this topic? Some people believe that the contacts they have, the more opportunities may arise. In other words, a missed connection translates to a missed opportunity. I can’t argue that, however again prefer to create opportunity within my network. I believe that’s the difference. Some people want to avail themselves to opportunity, while others create it. Which works best for you? There’s no right or wrong answer, just what fits each of you personally.

In closing, I’d just like to say, keep working to strengthen your networking chain, by striving to build stronger relationships, regardless of the size of your network. Don’t allow a weak link to break the chain.