< Yes, you!
You know who you are.
You’re the one who closes off your connections list to others you connect with on LinkedIn.
Okay. Apparently you didn’t get the “we’re all in this together” memo.
Sorry if this sounds scoldy, but I think you need reminding: the benefit of being on LinkedIn is designed to be mutual. By connecting with people you know and/or have worked with, you have a potential connection to everyone they know and/or have worked with. But for the system to reach its fullest potential, it must work in both directions. Equal advantage, equal opportunities, for all.
Once connected, members can view the contact lists of their connections to see who they have second- and third-degree connections to. Perhaps you see this as a kind of intrusion. If so, you are missing the point: not a single one of us gets anywhere professionally without help from others. And to meet people in fields or companies of interest, arranging introductions via those already connected to those people adds a measure of comfort to the process. It’s a built-in set of references and recommendations.
And here’s the plain truth of it: If you deny your connections access to your other connections, you are taking benefit without giving back … and the embodiment of a professional cul de sac.
If privacy is your issue, eschew social media and stick with your Rolodex … or your mattress, if you prefer.
