There is power in our social networks. Our number and type of relationships at work explain a large portion of our work performance. But there is also power in knowing how others think about you when it comes to work. We may not like it, but the workplace is often a political arena, and social knowledge is an important resource to have when navigating the political landscape. An accurate social map can show dangers and pitfalls to avoid, but also benefits to gain. Don’t shy away from being a student of your own social network in the workplace, it might make all the difference—especially for promotion.
Dr. Joshua Marineau is a fellow at the Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth and an associate professor of management at North Dakota State University. His research focuses on the antecedents and consequences of positive and negative interpersonal relationships in work settings or social networks. More recently, he has applied a social network perspective to the study of entrepreneurial ecosystems, and specifically the Fargo-Moorhead startup community. Recent projects focus on the interconnectedness and culture of the local startup community. He teaches organizational behavior and negotiation and alternative dispute resolution at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
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