Even well-intentioned network building can fail through common mistakes:
Transactional Thinking
Approaching crisis networks with "what's in it for me" thinking destroys the generosity required for effectiveness.
Better approach: Focus on creating value for others, trusting that reciprocity will emerge naturally during crisis.
Homogeneous Recruitment
Building networks of similar people feels comfortable but provides limited crisis value.
Better approach: Deliberately recruit diversity across every dimension—industry, geography, age, background, thinking style.
Passive Maintenance
Assuming networks maintain themselves leads to atrophy and crisis-time failure.
Better approach: Build regular activation into life rhythms, making network maintenance automatic rather than effortful.
Size Over Quality
Pursuing large networks dilutes relationship quality and activation capability.
Better approach: Focus on optimal size (usually 100-150 active relationships) with high quality rather than maximum quantity.