There are varying philosophies in building one’s LinkedIn network. Who do you include in your network? In this posting I will suggest the two polar positions on making connections each reflecting different mindsets. You’ll likely choose to be somewhere in between identifying your personal qualifying criteria.

LION’s – LinkedIn Open Networkers
LION’s are the most connective members in LinkedIn.  They are totally OPEN to making connections without qualification or discernment.  They also adhere to the policies of LinkedIn as they refrain from inviting those they do not know.   They will ACCEPT ALL INVITATIONS sent to them and will encourage that you invite them to connect.  LION’s often share their email address making them prominent in their profiles, often as their profile headline.  You might also see the use of “LION” in their name or headline.

The LION mindset is connect, connect, connect.  They think about reach and access to others.  It’s about growing large, widespread networks enabling the ability to find most anyone in any professional field.    They enable finding needles in haystacks and “purple squirrel” professionals, those with the most unusual of skill sets.  They do not pretend to “know” their connections, just “knowing of” instead.  They are important for their reach and access.   Frequently recruiters and sales professionals employ such a philosophy.   They do not de-value relationships and are actually masterful in building relationships successfully in a selective manner.

With regard to processing introductions LION’s promise to FORWARD ANY INTRODUCTION.  Since the depth of their relationships in most cases is shallow, their influence in making successful introductions is limited.  That said, their influence is significant when requesting introductions with their connections well-known to them.

Selective Discernment – Exclusive Networks

Counter to LION’s are the most discriminating of connectors.  They connect exclusively with those they know well, trust and are confident to recommend.  If they don’t know you, your invitation will be shunned with the dreaded “Don’t Know” response.  Often and most likely they will connect with you only when they hold you in high regard.  Inviting them to connect is a dicey proposition.  They connect “up” in corporate organizations more readily and only occasionally with those beneath them.  To them “you are the company you keep” rings true.  Their networks are smaller and usually assure a well-written request for an introduction will be forwarded.  Their relationships with their connections are genuine and trusted.  Significant regard is held in the process of making referrals to those within their networks.

I find myself in between.  I prefer to know those I connect with.  I’ve met most that I am connected with and my “knowing” of each connection has a range that is broad.  I have met or conversed with most connections and usually require meeting before connecting.  I have connected with strangers whose connection is more strategic and open in nature.  They extend my reach which can serve all I am connected too, just not all the time.