The article explores how people’s mental maps of their social network (close-knit vs. loose) influence how they seek help to develop creative ideas.

We used to think there was a magic formula for mobilizing the social network for creativity: leveraging sparse networks and weak ties would favor phases of idea expansion as they give access to non-redundant, diverse information. We also thought that relying on cohesive networks or activating strong ties would help refine ideas. Yet, Claudio Biscaro's and Fabrizio Montanari's research reveals it’s more like a jazz improvisation – the effectiveness of the netwrok mobilization depends on the individual style, and how well this style harmonizes with the style of their collaborators.

By recognizing the role of individual network perceptions, Claudio Biscaro and Fabrizio Montanari unlock a wider range of strategies for improving creative collaboration. Their article shows that individuals can tailor their network mobilization strategies to navigate their network and recreate the atmosphere they need for creativity.

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