In his book “The Tipping Point”, Malcolm Gladwell describes three different types of people, Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen.
Which are you?
Connectors are people specialists.
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The following questions will help you decide whether you are a Connector:
- Do you know a lot of people?
- Do you like people?
- Do you tend to remember peoples’ names?
- Do you enjoy going to parties and meeting new people?
- Do you collect acquaintances?
If you answered ‘yes’ to four or five of these questions, you are a Connector.
The strength of Connectors is that they know and keep in touch with many people.
They also tend to associate with other Connectors. Because of their rich network of friends and acquaintances, Connector are trendsetters. The upside of a Connector is that he or she is able to create and maintain long-lasting friendships. The downside is that Connectors can be dazzled by their vast collection of acquaintances, without investing in real friendships. Gladwell explains:
Connector are people who link us up with the world. People with a special gift for bringing the world together.
The power of Social Media on the Internet is the power of connectors. Power-users of StumbleUpon or Digg are Connectors. They can make or break the success of a blogpost because they are people specialists who cultivate a network of online friends.
Mavens are information specialists.
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They are the ones who tell Connectors about what’s hot. They always have the newest inside scoops on gadgets and specials. The upside of Mavens is that they amass a vast store of knowledge and are eager to share it with others. The downside is that Mavens can sometimes be a bit geeky and awkward around people.
Here are some questions that will help you decide whether you are a Maven:
- Do you enjoy reading junkmail?
- Do you seek out the specials in your local supermarket?
- Do you tend to watch trends and know what’s ‘in’?
- Do you study the market before buying a new gadget?
- Do you tell your friends about special deals?
If you said ‘yes’ to four or five of these questions, you are a Maven.
Mavens want to educate, not to sell.
They take delight in finding out the special deals that will save them money. And they are interested in new technology. They are the ones on the Internet who are the first to investigate new software, or a new laptop or mobile phone. And they don’t keep what they find to themselves. They publish articles about their findings or let their socia media friends know what they think.
Salesmen are charismatic.
They are able to build instant rapport with another person and gain their trust. That Salesmen are able to build rapport implies that they can tune in to others. But there is also another dimension: others find it easy to tune into the emotions of Salesmen. Gladwell explains that some people are very good at expressing emotions and feelings, which means that they are much more ’socially contagious’ than others.
Here are some questions that will help you find out if you are a salesman:
- Do you find it difficult to sit still when hearing good dance music?
- Do you have a loud laugh?
- Do you touch friends when you talk with them?
- Are you good at seduction?
- Do you like being the center of attention?
If you answered ‘yes’ to four or five of these questions, you are a Salesman.
Salesmen make good politicians, spiritual teachers and pastors, and, well…salespeople. Salesmen are larger than life and can make others feel good with their high spirits. The downside of salesmen is that they can be dangerous if they use their charisma in order to manipulate others.
Are you a Connector, a Maven, or a Salesman?
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Maybe the results aren’t clear cut? Most of us have some talent in all three areas. But there will be one area where you have answered most answers with ‘yes’. That is your primary orientation.
Now let’s take a look at what to do with this knowledge. How can knowing whether you are a Connector, a Maven, or a Salesman improve your life?
There are two basic schools of thought in the world of personal growth. One is that one should work on one’s weak sides in order to prosper. The other is that one should accept one’s weaknesses gracefully and focus on developing one’s strength. I tend to agree with the second strategy. For example, I pour my energy into becoming a better writer, instead of taking up painting - which is one of my talent wastelands.
The strategy of enhancing our talents means that we should foster the strength we have as a Connector, a Maven, or a Salesman.
- As a Connector we can focus on connecting others with each other, as well as creating groups where people feel at home.
. - As a Maven, we can focus on sharing our information with others so that they can benefit from our research.
. - As a Salesman, we can focus on making others happy with our good cheer.
What is your experience of being a Connector, Maven, or Salesman?
Mary Jaksch is an author, Zen Master, and psychotherapist who likes dancing tango in skimpy dresses. Her blogGoodlife Zen focuses on personal growth with a spiritual twist. She is also Chief Editor of Leo Babauta's blog Write to Done. 
译文:
为取得更大的成功了解你自己——你是一个联络者,一名行家, 还是一名销售者?
在马尔科姆·格拉德威尔的《引爆点》一书中，他描述了三种不同类型的人，联络者,行家, 和销售者。
你是谁？
联络者是特别的人。
以下的问题将帮助你确定你是否是一名联络者
你认识很多人吗？
你喜欢别人吗？
你常常记住别人的名字吗
你喜欢参加聚会与陌生人见面吗
你和熟人聚会吗
如果你的回答有四或五个是“是”，那么你是一名联络者
联络者的优势是他们懂得很多人并和他们保持联系。因为他们拥有庞大的亲友网，他们也常常和其他联络者联系，他们是时尚的引领者。联络者的优势是他或她可以建立并维持长久的友谊。他们的劣势是他们会被庞大的亲友集团弄得昏头转向，因为他们没有在真正友谊上下功夫。格拉德威尔解释道。
联络者是把我们与世界联系起来的纽带。他们具有联结整个世界的天赋。
在网络上社会媒体的力量就是联络者的力量。收藏和发现新奇网站及掘客的实力用户是联络者。因为他们是建立网友互联网的专家，他们可以建立或毁坏博客邮箱。
行家是信息专家
他们通知联络者什么是最热门事物。他们始终有最新的消息和点子。行家的优势是他们储存有丰富的知识并迫切要与他人分享。劣势是有时他们有点令周围的人讨厌。
这里有一些问题帮助你判断你是否是一名行家
你喜欢阅读垃圾邮件吗
你在当地的超市发现特别的东西了吗
你常常关注事物发展趋势并了解其内幕吗
你在买新的玩意儿之前研究过市场吗
你和你朋友说过新点子吗
如果你的回答有四或五个是“是”，那么你是一名行家
行家想要学习，而不是销售
他们乐于寻找可以省钱的特别点子。并且他们对新科技感兴趣。他们是网络上调查新软件、新笔记本电脑或新手机的第一人。他们不想把找到的东西归己所有。他们为所找事物发表文章或让媒体朋友知道他们的想法。
销售者是有号召能力的人
他们能与另一个人即可建立融洽的关系，并取得他得信任。销售者能建立融洽的关系表明他们能与别人调整感情。但也存在另一方面：别人觉得很容易调整一个销售者的情绪。格拉德威尔解释说一些人非常善于表达感情，者意味着他们比别人更有社交感染力。
这里有一些问题将帮助你判断你是否是一名销售者
你觉得在听到一曲美妙的舞曲时仍坐着是一件困难的事吗
你有很洪亮的笑声吗
当你和朋友讲话时和他们接触吗
你善于诱导吗
你喜欢成为焦点吗
如果你的回答有四或五个是“是”，那么你是一名销售者
销售者是好的权术玩弄者，精神教师和牧师，也是销售员。销售者比生命更强大，他们能使别人因为他们高昂的精神感到愉快。销售者的劣势是如果他们利用公众感染力来控制他人，那么他们一定是危险的。
你是一名联络者,一名行家, 或是一名销售者?
也许答案没那么分明。我们大多数人都有以上三种方面的一些天赋。但肯定有你肯定回答最多的一个方面。那就是你重要的发展方向。
现在让我们看一看该怎样处理这个信息。如何知道你是个联络者,一名行家, 或是一名销售者来提高生活？
在个人成长的世界里有两种主要的思想学派。一种是人可以通过在自己的弱处下功夫达到成功，另一种是人可以坦然接受自己的弱点并集中发展长处。我趋于同意第二个策略。比如，我把精力投入到成为一名更好的作家中，而不是继续绘画——那时我天赋的荒原之地。
增加我们才智的方法意味着我们要促进成为一名联络者,一名行家, 或是一名销售者的优势方面。
作为一名联络者，我们可以促进相互之间的联系，也能建立让人感觉舒适的团体
作为行家，我们可以与他人分享信息一边他们能从我们的研究中获利
作为销售者，我们可以使比人因我们的勇气而快乐
什么是你作为一名联络者,一名行家, 或是一名销售者的经历？