Relationships - more than just a Connection
By Mike Hyland
Executive Director, NEPPA
The term ‘Friends” to me has always been a very loose and difficult to define term, one that sometimes makes me feel uneasy when it’s used in certain company. Maybe I was born the realist, but when someone called me their friend even though I didn’t know their middle name, or any of their siblings, or even the name of their dog – I never really considered that person as one of my ‘friends’. I always thought of the ‘social butterfly’ back in high school as someone who would smile to my face and say I’m their friend - yet stab me in the back when I turned to walk away.
Over the last decade, I’ve become fascinated by the number of ‘friends’ people claim to have on social media. I remember having this discussion with one of my own sons when he was back at university, and we were debating the more than 1,000 ‘friends’ he was connected to on Facebook. I asked my son if he actually knew each and every Facebook friend, had shook hands at some point, could identify the person in a police lineup, and could explain to me why each of them was a friend. The more we delved deeper into the discussion, I began to realize that the term ‘Friend’ in the Facebook dialect had morphed into what I would call a ‘Connection’ in database languages.
Thus, I was relieved. I mean if you think about it, how could a 22-year-old, wet behind the ears college kid have more true friends than his old man? I’ve been around the block a few times, and even admit that I’ve been called grouchy sometimes, however I still must have been able to build relationships and connect with more people than my son, right? Yet, his Facebook page plainly states that he has 1,432 friends…… Hmmm, not sure how accurate that number reflects reality.
So, what does all this mean? Well, in today’s age we need to differentiate clearly between connections, friends, and relationships. There’s a huge difference between the three, and it’s worth diving into the discussion on why that difference is important. When I was taking executive classes at Georgetown University, I was introduced to the research of Oxford Professor Robin Dunbar. He’s an interesting person and self-proclaims that he works in Experimental Psychology.
His most notable work on social interaction culminated with the mildly known theory entitled “Dunbar’s Number”. His research indicated that the typical human has a maximum number of individuals that form groups based on closeness to the individual. For example – Dunbar’s theory suggests that the average person can only have a maximum of 150 meaningful contacts. All contacts beyond the 150 are reduced to acquaintances (500 Maximum) and people you can recognize (1,500 Maximum). The smaller circles surrounding the any subject are more intimate: 5 loved ones (or those in your ‘circle of trust’), 15 good friends (or what can be termed as ‘super family’), and 50 buddies (or those people whom you would invite to a party at your house).
So where are you on this Dunbar Theory? Can you really have 1,432 friends like my son does on Facebook – or have your friends been reduced to ‘people I can recognize’. Regardless, the connection to someone is the easy part – kind of like a Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game. I might be connected to you, but that doesn’t mean I can count on you to help me fix a flat tire – it only means we have some sort of connection. However, if I’m bold enough to call you a friend, know your spouse’s name, know where you grew up, etc. then you must be within my Dunbar number of 150. Mind you that Dunbar’s theory and the number of people allowed into each circle has been challenged since the day he released his theory. Regardless as to whether it’s 150 or 160 or 175, the truth is that the types of relationships you forge throughout your life are somewhat limited, so make the most of them.
Thus, when it comes to both work and personal aspects of our life, it’s critical to identify interactions that start out as a simple connection, yet then proceed to rise along the way and end up as a relationship inside one of the ‘close in’ circles. We need those circles full, yet it’s easier said than done. If we focus only on our work circles for a moment - maybe call it the Dunbar Work Number – do you have folks that you can call whenever you need help? Do you have room for more? Are you assisting the next generation coming up to build their close in Dunbar circles that can help them in a pinch? If we want to set up our public power utilities for future success, we need plenty of employees representing the next generations to feel comfortable and knowledgeable enough to break into those relationships with you. Maybe even invite them to one of your parties. Lol
So, I look forward to seeing you all and making a ‘Connection” in Connecticut at the NEPPA Annual Conference in August. A great lineup of speakers’ makeup this year’s agenda, and there will be ample time to discuss Robin Dunbar’s theories on human interaction. I encourage you to attend and bring someone along with you. As for me, I told my son to leave his 1,432 friends at home.
-Mike
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Upcoming Training & Events |
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The Future of Customer Outage Journey: How maps, AI, ETE's and Digital Engagement is Rewiring the Rules
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Presenter: Zac Canders, Cofounder, DataCapable
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Advance Lineworker Program
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
NEPPA is pleased to offer a completely redesigned Advanced Lineworker Program which will be held in 4 sessions each sessions, 3 days.
Advanced Lineworker is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to build, maintain, troubleshoot and repair a distribution system.
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August 8, 2023
2:00 pm (EST)
Virtual
August 20-23, 2023
Mystic Marriott
Groton, CT
Sept. 5 - 7, Sept. 26 - 28, Oct 17 - 19, Nov 7 - 9
Sept. 5 - 8; Sept. 19 - 22; Oct. 10 -13; Oct. 24 - 27
Littleton, MA
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Year 1
Group A Aug. 29 - Sept. 1; Oct. 17 - 20
Group B Aug. 29 - Sept. 1; Oct. 24 - 27
Year 2
Group A Sept. 12 - 15; Oct. 31 - Nov. 3
Group B Sept. 12 - 15; Nov. 7 - 10
Year 3
Group A Sept. 26 - 29; Nov. 14 - 17
Group B Sept. 26 - 29; Nov. 28 - Dec 1
Year 4
Group A & B Oct. 3 - 6; Dec. 5 - 7
Apprentice Lineworker Program Graduation: Dec. 7, 2023
Apprentice Lineworker Program Make-Up Weeks
The following “Make-Up Weeks” are scheduled for any student who needs to make-up time in the Program and/or competencies for the Program.
Nov. 28 - 29, 2023 (hands-on)
Nov. 30, 2023 (exams)
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September 10, 2023
2:00 pm (EST)
Virtual
September 14, 2023
Virtual (9:30 am)
September 19, 2023
8:30 am (EST)
September 20, 2023
8:30 am (EST)
Supervisory Skills Program*
September 25 - 27, 2023
NEPPA Training Center
Littleton, MA
September 27, 2023
8:30 am (EST)
Reading Municipal Light Department
Reading, MA
October 10, 2023
2:00 pm (EST)
Virtual
October 17, 2023
Energy Connect Conference*
(formerly Customer Service Conference)
October 23 - 24, 2023
Wylie Conference Center
Beverly, MA
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October 31 - November 2, 2023
Metering II*
November 7 - 9, 2023
Hoisting 1B - 1D*
November 14, 2023
8:00 am (EST)
Littleton, MA
November 14, 2023
2:00 pm (EST)
Virtual
December 12, 2023
2:00 pm (EST)
Virtual
December 19, 2023
8:30 am (EST)
December 20, 2023
8:30 am (EST)
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Energy: Sen. Barrasso and Rep. Hudson introduce bills to block DOE from implementing new distribution transformer conservation standards; House E&C Committee holds FERC oversight hearing...
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Congress: House Appropriations Committee advances FY24 energy-water bill, Senate sets topline spending numbers...
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Tax and Finance: The Internal Revenue Service releases guidance for the Inflation Reduction Act’s elected pay provisions...
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Stowe Electric Receives National Energy Innovator Award |
Stowe, VT, June 20, 2023 - Stowe Electric Department has received the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Energy Innovator Award (EIA) for its ongoing partnership with the University of Vermont (UVM).
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Updates from the APPA monthly
Policy Makers Council
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Thank you to Bob Holland of Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations, who shared some updates from APPA Policy Makers Council
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Letter sent on June 1, 47 senators sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to reconsider its proposed rule to increase conservation standards for distribution transformers.
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ENE President & CEO named to National APPA Climate Committee |
Seattle, Washington, June 18, 2023 - The American Public Power Association (APPA) Board of Directors, at their 2023 Annual Conference appointed Energy New England President and CEO, John G. Tzimorangas to the APPA CEO Climate Change and Generation Policy Committee (CCCGPC).
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Contact our news team for information on Northeast Public Power Association Newsline and NEPPA's Social Media Platform.
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Northeast Public Power Association | communications@neppa.org | www.neppa.org |
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