Malcolm Gladwell on influence, technology, and the evolution of The Tipping Point

Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

Careers, Business

4.8 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 16 December 2024

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What does it take for an idea to reach a tipping point today, and how has that changed over 20 years? In this episode of Hello Monday, best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell joins Jessi Hempel to explore how the power of influence has evolved in the digital age. In his new book, Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering, Malcolm reflects on the transformation of how ideas spread, from when his debutThe Tipping Point was first published in 2000 to today’s era of social media, influencers, and AI. Malcolm explores how technology and social platforms have changed the dynamics of influence, emphasizing that you don’t need millions of followers to make a difference. He shares personal stories, including one about his brother, an elementary school principal whose impact resonated through a small, yet deeply connected community. Plus, Malcolm offers advice for adapting to the fast-paced, ever-changing world of work, including tips for early career professionals on staying nimble in the face of rapid changes. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on the rise of superspreaders, social engineering, and the power of influence in today’s world. This episode was filmed live in-studio. Check out the full video version on LinkedIn Premium. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! RSVP here to join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

Transcript

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0:00.0	LinkedIn News
0:02.1	From the news
0:08.9	I'm Jesse Hempel and this is Hello Monday.
0:16.1	In the mid-1990s,
0:17.9	hush puppies were this brand of shoe that were on the brink of death.
0:23.1	Sales had slowed to a trickle.
0:25.7	The company was about to discontinue them altogether when some fashion-forward kids in downtown New York started wearing them as a fashion statement.
0:34.9	You know, to be ironic.
0:37.1	Fashion designers began featuring them.
0:39.3	Celebrities like Princess Dye started wearing them.
0:42.0	And by 1995, these shoes were a wardrobe staple.
0:46.5	Today's guest, Malcolm Gladwell, would say that they hit a tipping point.
0:51.8	This was a chief example in the book that he released a quarter
0:55.3	century ago now, the tipping point. His core idea was that small, seemingly
1:00.6	inconsequential actions or trends can trigger massive transformative change when
1:06.4	they reach the right people. He called them connectors, mavens, and salespeople. These were people who
1:11.6	spread the idea to a broader audience. Now, a lot has changed in 25 years. For one, you probably
1:19.5	don't have a landline, and you definitely have an email address. So how does that change how
1:25.6	ideas themselves spread?
1:28.3	It's the question Malcolm's asked in his newest book, Revenge of the Tipping Point,
1:33.6	over stories, super spreaders, and the rise of social engineering.
1:37.8	In it, Malcolm makes a bold admission.
	...

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