Network Diversity

Network diversity means your relationships differ by industry, function, seniority, geography, background, and cognitive style — not just by company logo. Homogeneous networks produce redundant information and hidden bias in career decisions.

Research on weak ties shows that novel opportunities often arrive from acquaintances, not best friends; diversity increases those bridging paths. For boards, diversity is deliberate: you recruit Challengers unlike you, Connectors in adjacent markets, and Peers in different companies.

Measure diversity with a simple roster audit: If everyone looks like you and thinks like you, expect predictable advice. Diversity takes maintenance — inclusive follow-up, credit-sharing, and avoiding transactional extraction from underrepresented advisors.