Recently, during one of my mind wandering sessions, I started thinking about a particular skill I have which I have not given myself credit for. I used to call it “figure-out-ability”, I still do call it by that name; but I understand there is a term for it. Figure-out-ability refers to the uncanny ability to figure things out, obviously!
Some people think it is the same thing as being resourceful. The term “resourcefulness” really does not cut it for me because resourcefulness simply means the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome challenges.
I use figure-out-ability to describe that ability certain people have in connecting dots and finding information and resources. This idea revolves around being an “information hub” or an “information superconnector.” I consider people with this talent as individuals who are highly skilled at not only accessing knowledge and resources but also navigating complex information networks.
Do you remember “6 degrees of separation”? It is the idea that we are just 5 or 6 connections away from whosoever we would like to meet. This theory, made popular by social scientist Stanley Milgram in the 60s, states that you are 6 steps away from meeting someone profound like Neil DeGrasse Tyson or Pope Francis or Elon Musk. But this theory is about human connections not information or resources.
Although I may not have any scientific backing for this ability of finding things out, I have a strong notion that there could be a theory such as the “6 Degrees of Information Mastery” (or “Resourceful Navigation”).
Just as “6 Degrees of Separation” refers to the idea that any two people in the world can be connected through six or fewer acquaintances, this concept could apply to how resourceful individuals navigate networks of information, skills, and resources. In this case, instead of connecting people, the person is connecting resources, tools, and knowledge that may seem otherwise unconnected.
In an age where data, knowledge, and resources are incredibly abundant (but sometimes overwhelming), people who are “information superconnectors” or “resourceful navigators” are the ones who can find, synthesise, and apply information from a wide range of domains — often with only a few steps or interactions required.
One key attribute of these kinds of people is their curiosity. They are always hungry to find out how stuff works.
Degrees of Resourcefulness
In this model, instead of degrees of personal separation, the number of steps or connections between different resources would be reduced to a few degrees. The resourceful person bridges gaps between resources in fewer steps than most people would.
Information Brokerage
This concept has been studied in business and social network theory under the term “information brokerage.” Information brokers are individuals who sit at the intersection of different groups or areas of expertise. They act as bridges, connecting people and resources across different domains, and are highly valued for their ability to find and share critical insights quickly.
Being a successful information broker or superconnector of resources doesn’t just depend on access to information, but also on “pattern recognition” and “synthesis” — the ability to connect the dots in ways others don’t see and to recognize the underlying patterns in seemingly unrelated information.
What is so special about this ability?
There are certain individuals who rarely open user manuals for equipment, they just unbox and go. I used to think this was common with everyone, except it wasn’t. Such people instinctively know how the device works; and may decide to consult the user manual when something goes wrong.
Same goes for DIY-ing. There are people who hate these 3 words “some assembly required”. This in no way means that they are dumb or incapacitated (most of these people are very smart PhD holders), it just means that they cannot be bothered by the complexity of trying to figure out what goes where on those equipment. Meanwhile, individuals who are “figure-it-out-able” just seem to know where things should fit.
Let’s imagine someone is asked to solve a difficult problem — finding a niche scientific paper, a specific tool for building a prototype, or an expert in an obscure field. An information superconnector will know:
– Which databases to search,
– Which experts to ask in forums,
– What keywords to use to get the best search results,
– Or even the kind of prompts to input into the AI tool for the best response.
Key Characteristics of an “Information Superconnector”
Curiosity Driven:
One key attribute of these kinds of people is their curiosity. They are always hungry to find out how stuff works. They are endlessly curious, always seeking out new information from diverse fields, and don’t shy away from learning about topics they’re unfamiliar with.
In 2005, Apple’s cofounder, Steve Jobs gave a brilliant speech at Stanford when he talked about his journey to creating the iconic tech company we know today as Apple. In one of his stories which he called “connecting the dots”, Jobs described how his interest in calligraphy classes contributed to the exceptional design we all admire in Apple products today. In this speech, Steve said “you cannot connect the dots looking forwards…you can only connect them looking backwards”.
Cross-Disciplinary Thinking:
They have the ability to connect ideas from seemingly unrelated fields. For example, someone might take an idea from engineering and apply it to business management.
In 2008, Danny Boyle directed Slumdog Millionaire featuring British actor Dev Patel who played the role of an orphaned teenager from one of the slums in India who was on the verge of winning the star prize in the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”. As the game show unfolded, Patel’s character discovered that every question that he encountered in the show was connected to a childhood memory for him. Although these seemed like mere flashbacks, his ability to relate them to the questions helped him answer all the questions without using a single lifeline.
Network Savvy:
Just like social networkers are good at navigating social relationships, resourceful individuals know where to look for the information they need — whether it’s through books, online databases, experts, or niche communities.
Diary of a CEO author, Steve Bartlett shared a story on one of his podcasts with serial entrepreneur Daniel Priestley. During the interview, while Priestley gave different illustrations to demonstrate the difference between “Reptile” and “Visionary” mindsets, Bartlett told a story of his teenage self sending an email to a CEO of a vending machine company who happened to be a former student of his school. According to Bartlett, a few hours after his email had gone out, someone showed up at their school to take measurements for new vending machine installations. Bartlett concluded that he simply believed that the world is bendable and that there is always someone he could contact to get anything done. If that is not a visionary mindset, I don’t know what is.
Research & Analytical Skills:
Individuals who are information superconnectors are skilled at filtering the noise, finding the relevant bits of information, and analysing it to find solutions. They know how to ask the right questions and where to dig deeper.
Simon Sinek is an American author and business leader who is famous for his 2009 Ted Talk titled “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”. During this speech, Sinek explained that great leaders inspire by digging deep into the “Why” for their actions. After that speech, the term “Find Your Why” has become a global phenomenon which is also taught in different schools. Inspirational speakers like Sinek are known not just for their eloquence but by their ability to connect dots and ask the right questions about diverse fields.
Access to Diverse Resources:
Just like how a well-networked person has friends in all places, these individuals have access to (or know where to find) a wide range of resources — from research papers and case studies to expert opinions and rare tools. Their mind has the ability to keep tabs on passive information, like cognitive bookmarks. Imagine someone reading a magazine and passively consuming information stored in an inset about how to detail a car. The interesting thing about this ability is that though they may not recollect every detail about the resource, they have a mental clue on where and how to find it.
Efficiency in Gathering:
Similar to how you can reach anyone in 6 degrees, these people are efficient in their search, often able to gather key insights or valuable resources with just a few steps, using search strategies and a knowledge of how different systems or platforms work.
Conclusion:
If “6 Degrees of Separation” applies to social connections, the equivalent for information masters could be something like “6 Degrees of Information Mastery.” These individuals have the skillset to find crucial information or resources within a few steps, leveraging their extensive networks, research techniques, and cross-disciplinary thinking. They are the go-to people when it comes to finding solutions, and they excel in navigating the complex world of information.
In the digital age, where resources are abundant but often scattered, such people are invaluable for finding the proverbial needle in the haystack.