Justin Blaney's Blog, page 54

Hire Justin to Speak at Your Next Event

Hey everyone! I'm really excited to announce my new speaker video and special page to promote my speaking career. Do you know anyone who hires speakers? I'd love to meet them!

Here is some information from my speaker page:

As a bestselling author, successful entrepreneur and dynamic speaker, Justin Blaney draws from a strong foundation of experience in his commitment to help an audience take real steps towards achieving their goals. Justin is experienced at delivering keynotes, workshops, multi-day consulting engagements, and coaching.

About Justin's most popular talk

Title Uncommon impact: How developing what makes you unique will lead to your greatest success in life and business

Description There’s an enormous you size gap in this world. Are you ready to fill it? When you embrace and develop your uniqueness, you build an abundance of joy, achievement, and lasting impact. But avoid the niche you were designed to fill at your own peril. Try to fill someone else’s place in this world and you will experience frustration, depression, and achieve far below your capability. Seven billion humans need you to be you, because not a single one of us is able to do what you can do. Learn how to discover what makes you uncommon, then develop and share your uniqueness with the world to unlock the best days of your life.

The four biggest takeaways from this talk

1. Why be unique and how to embrace what makes us unique

2. Examples of unique people and what we can learn from them

3. How to develop our uniqueness

4. How to increase our joy, success, fulfillment and attain our life goals by making the most of our uniqueness.

Other topics Justin speaks on: Leadership, networking, change, sales, storytelling, film production, church innovation and entrepreneurialism.

Hire Justin for Your Event

For Justin's speaking availability and booking information, email Jessica Lalley at agent@justinblaney.com or call (404) 273-4968. Find out more about Justin's speaking.

Announcing the Best Books of All Time list

I recently became interested in reading all the best books I could get my hands on, the classics, the kinds of books they make Cliff Notes for. But every list of best books I found was so different, I became frustrated with the process and almost gave up. Then I had an idea. What if there was a master list? What if there was...

One list to rule them all

I set out to create a best of list that uses science and magic to definitively answer the question: What is the best book of all time? And, almost as importantly, what is the 87th best book of all time?

Now I want to share my list with you!

This is a work in progress. I'll keep you updated as I increase the accuracy and scope of this list, but in the meantime, here are my top ten books so far.

Rank
Title
Author


1
Lolita
Vladimir Nabokov


2
The Sound and the Fury
William Faulkner


3
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald


4
Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison


5
Beloved
Toni Morrison


6
Ulysses
James Joyce


7
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen


8
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy


9
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Gabriel Garcia Marquez


10
1984
George Orwell




Click here to see the entire list

If you have any feedback, ideas for lists to include in my compilation or want to tell me how wrong I am, let me know at the bottom of the list in the comments!

Methods

This list was compiled using a scientific method developed by researchers and statisticians to create the most comprehensive and accurate list of best books ever. Out of 100s of possible lists, the highest quality lists were selected as the basis for this project. Lists that assigned a rank to each book were given a score of 1 to 100 to each book, based on the rank of the book. Lists that did not assign a rank were given an average rating equal to half that total number of books on the list. The total scores from all lists were combined and ranked, resulting in this compilation ranking. This system is based on the scholarly systematic review method meta-analsysis, which combines numerous studies to create a highly accurate master study. A sample of the lists included, the ranking, and scores can be found here.

The you gap part 1: The gap in this world that only you can fill

In part one of this workshop, Justin Blaney shares at Seattle's Creativity Symposium about how there is a gap in the world that only you can fill. During this workshop, Justin encourages you to embrace and share what makes you unique.

Stream the entire workshop at justinblaney.com/grow

Find out how to hire Justin for your next event at justinblaney.com/speaker

There Are No Ordinary People

There are no ordinary people.

Every person who ever breathed fresh air—and even those who never breathed—were unique from the moment of conception. It’s not a matter of choice.

We don’t choose to be unique. We just are. 

Then we’re born and we begin to grow even more unique. Every person has an infinitely unique set of experiences, negative and positive, a deck of cards we’re handed through our life, a deck of cards we take and mold and find and build from thin air.

Our choice is not whether or not we wish to be unique, but whether or not we will embrace who we are. Most of us don’t.

Most of us try to be someone else. We try to please our parents. We try to please our friends. We try to copy the ones we admire. Sometimes, we copy the ones we hate. We copy copies of copies, fake people pretending to be even more fake people. Billion dollar industries have turned copying into an art—advertising and Hollywood to name two—selling the paint by numbers life.

Some of us are ashamed of who we are. We hide it. We try to change. We’re jealous of the gifts our peers possess.

And then we wonder why we’re not more fulfilled in our fake, mirror polished, xeroxed, plagiarized, stolen, copy-cat life.

If we want to find true fulfillment, we must embrace the life we were designed for.

We must embrace who we are.

We must develop our uniqueness.

And we must share our uncommon self with the world.

Some of us were made with low energy. Some with high.

Some of us were made for risk taking. Some for safety.

Some of us were made to lead masses of people. Some to lead a few.

Some of us were made to teach. Some to learn.

Some of us were made to raise children. Some to raise chickens.

Some of us were made to sing. Some to be silent.

It’s culture that judges which of these traits is more worthy of praise than others. But since when was culture worth listening to?

Instead, listen to yourself.

What were you made to be?

Be that.

And be the best version of that you can be.

Find out about my upcoming book, The You Gap, and look for more blog posts, videos and other resources to help you find, develop and share what makes you unlike everyone else on earth.

I'm writing a book and I need your help!

Please give me feedback on this blog post. Your feedback will make The You Gap better than it could ever be without you. In addition to your feedback, I'd love to know what makes you unique.

Big Announcement: 7 Billion People Need You

Big Announcement

I'm really excited to announce my new website.

The last couple years I've been sharing my photography, writing, quote graphics, giveaways, and more with you. With the relaunch of my new site, I'll be posting all that and more, bringing you unique and quality content, and giving you sneak peeks into my upcoming projects.

My passion is helping individuals and organizations develop and share their uniqueness, enabling them to achieve their greatest success in life and business. Join me as I try to help you find your "why."

Sneak Peek of My Upcoming Book

There’s an enormous you-sized gap in this world. Are you ready to fill it?

When you embrace and develop your uniqueness, you build an abundance of joy, achievement, and lasting impact. But avoid the niche you were designed to fill at your own peril. Try to fill someone else’s place in this world and you will experience frustration, depression, and achieve far below your capability.

Seven billion humans need you to be you, because not one of us can do what you do.

Learn how to discover what makes you uncommon, then develop and share your uniqueness with the world to unlock the best days of your life.

Would love your feedback. What do you think about the new site, the quote or the last meal you ate?

Announcing this post's giveaway!

I’m giving away over $1,000 in prizes, including a $250 Amazon Spree and 100 signed copies of great books.
Last week's winner is Hannah Sopcak
Along with winning signed copies of several books, last week's winner joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing . Here are the complete rules.
Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!

Watch for my next blog to see if you've won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.

Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!

Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles, Sally Hannoush, Christopher Burrell, Cathy Smith, Blake Goldstein, Katrina Epperson, Janae Schiele, Vanessa Rasanen, Katrina Umland, Deanna Wiseburn, Hope Clippinger, Rebecca Ann Baker, Lisa Whitten, Gavin Imes, Robin Baker, April Reynolds, Hannah Sopcak

Follow up to the mega ego blog post

Thanks for your help!

A couple weeks ago I asked for your help.

My publicist and agent asked me to give them a new portrait and bio, and you voted. Here’s what you chose:

Bio

Justin Blaney is the #1 bestselling author of 6 books including Evan Burl and the Falling and the critically acclaimed photography journal, Fast Wide Open. He began attending college at 16, married his high school sweetheart at 17, and had three daughters by 21. While earning several graduate degrees and raising his young family, Justin founded more than a dozen businesses and nonprofits, making him a millionaire at the age of 25. He has since lost his fortune several times over, but through the ups and downs discovered the work for which he was designed.

Justin’s passion is helping individuals and organizations develop and share their uniqueness, enabling them to achieve their greatest success in life and business. He’s reached over a million people in dozens of countries, getting to work with and be mentored by some of the most influential figures of our time. His blogs JustinBlaney.com and I4J.org receive over 100,000 monthly views and he is followed by more than 40,000 on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Youtube. Justin and his family live outside Seattle.

Portrait

You all overwhelmingly liked A and D the best, which were the same portrait with different backgrounds So I modified D to be warmer, desaturated and blurred the background to incorporate the feedback of those who liked A better. By the way, this photo was taken by my 12-year-old daughter Emma. Here it is:

 

What do you think?

Congrats to our giveaway winner April Reynolds!

Along with winning signed copies of several books, this week’s winner joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing . Here are the complete rules.

Click here to enter for your chance to win during our next giveaway, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!

Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!

Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles, Sally Hannoush, Christopher Burrell, Cathy Smith, Blake Goldstein, Katrina Epperson, Janae Schiele, Vanessa Rasanen, Katrina Umland, Deanna Wiseburn, Hope Clippinger, Rebecca Ann Baker, Lisa Whitten, Gavin Imes, Robin Baker, April Reynolds

Transaction Contingency Theory: A Systematic Review

Justin Blaney

May, 17 2014

Abstract

Social capital, though researched widely, remains a nebulous concept that means different things to different people. One of the primary debates consists of discussing the benefits of strong ties versus weak ties. Zheng (2008, p. 177) called for researchers to examine the relatedness between the structural and relational components of social capital, which this author postulates will assist in explaining the longstanding strong tie/weak tie debate. By analyzing the link between trust and tie strength, this research aims to provide a framework that furthers the link between social capital’s structural and relational components. Using a meta-ethnographic systematic review process, this study makes three contributions to the social capital research landscape: (1) The creation of the four quadrant conduit framework for social capital transactions that can be used to encompass components of tie strength and trust; (2) a positive progression from the concept of task contingency to transaction contingency; and (3) and analysis of how egos can benefit from developing high, moderate and low networks. In addition, a 13 phase model for meta-ethnographic systematic review is presented that can serve as a model for conducting future research. Finally, this study offers practicality for managers that wish to optimize their social capital investments to increase return based on the cultivation of multiple forms of connection type.

Keywords

social capital, strong ties, weak ties, trust, structural dimension, relational dimension, task contingency, transaction contingency, conduit framework, trusted weak tie, systematic review, meta-ethnography, high network, moderate network, low network, three tier network structure

APA Citation

Blaney, J. (2014). Transaction contingency theory: A systematic review. Retrieved from www.justinblaney.com

This article is hidden

I apologize, but the remainder of this article has been hidden because it’s under review to be published by an academic journal. Please contact me for more information at justin@justinblaney.com

References

Arenius, P., & Clercq, D. D. (2005). A network-based approach on opportunity recognition. Small Business Economics, 24(3), 249–265. doi:10.1007/s11187-005-1988-6

Batjargal, B. (2007). Comparative Social Capital: Networks of Entrepreneurs and Venture Capitalists in China and Russia. Management and Organization Review, 3(3), 397–419. doi:10.1111/j.1740-8784.2007.00080.x

Belliveau, M. A., O’Reilly, C. A., & Wade, J. B. (1996). Social capital at the top: Effects of social similarity and status on CEO compensation. Academy of Management Journal, 39(6), 1568–1593.

Britten, N., Campbell, R., Pope, C., Donavan, J., Morgan, M., and Pill, R. (2002). Using meta ethnography to synthesis qualitative research: a worked example. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy 7(4), 209-215.

Booker, R. R. (2010). Examining the inclusion of quantitative research in a meta-ethnographic review. Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, 4, 57-74.

Burt, R. S. (1980). Models of network structure. Annual Review of Sociology, 6(1), 79-141. doi: 10.1146/annurev.so.06.080180.000455

Burt, R. S. (1992). Structural Holes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Chen, M.-H., Chang, Y.-C., & Hung, S.-C. (2007). Social capital and creativity in R&D project teams: Social capital and creativity in R&D project teams. R&D Management, 38(1), 21–34. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9310.2007.00494.x

Claro, D. P., & Neto, S. A. L. (2011). Social networks and sales performance. Revista De Administração Contemporânea, 15(3), 498–512.

Coleman, J. S. (1988). Social capital in the creation of human capital. American Journal of Sociology, 94(s1), 95–120. doi:10.1086/228943

Conduit [Def. 4]. (2014). Merriam-Webster Online. In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictio....

Engelen, A., Lackhoff, F., & Schmidt, S. (2013). How Can Chief Marketing Officers Strengthen Their Influence? A Social Capital Perspective Across Six Country Groups. Journal of International Marketing, 21(4), 88 – 109. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=htt...

Gough, D., Oliver, S., & Thomas, J. (2012). An introduction to systematic reviews. London, UK: Sage Publication.

Granovetter, M. S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360–1380.

Karlan, D., Mobius, M., Rosenblat, T., & Szeidl, A. (2009). Trust and Social Collateral. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 124(3), 1307 – 1361. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=htt...

Kemper, J., Engelen, A., & Brettel, M. (2011). How Top Management’s Social Capital Fosters the Development of Specialized Marketing Capabilities: A Cross-Cultural Comparison. Journal of International Marketing, 19(3), 87–112. doi:10.1509/jimk.19.3.87

Khodyakov, D. (2007). Trust as a Process: A Three-Dimensional Approach. Sociology, 41(1), 115–132. doi:10.1177/0038038507072285

Lee, R. (2009). Social capital and business and management: Setting a research agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews, 11(3), 247–273. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2370.2008.00244.x

Levin, D. Z., & Cross, R. (2004). The Strength of Weak Ties You Can Trust: The Mediating Role of Trust in Effective Knowledge Transfer. Management Science, 50(11), 1477–1490. doi:10.1287/mnsc.1030.0136

Li, P. P. (2007). Social tie, social capital, and social behavior: Toward an integrative model of informal exchange. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 24(2), 227–246. doi:10.1007/s10490-006-9031-2

Nahapiet, J., & Ghoshal, S. (1998). Cents and sociability: Household Income and Social Capital in Rural Tanzania. Washington D. C.: World Bank.

Narayan, D. and Pritchett, L. (1999). Cents and sociability: Household income and social capital in rural Tanzania. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 47, 871–897.

Oliver, S., & Sutcliffe, K. (2012). Chapter 7: Describing and analyzing studies, In Gough, D., Oliver, S., & Thomas, J. (Eds.), An introduction to systematic reviews (pp. 135 – 152). London, UK: Sage Publication.

Ozermir, A. A., & Demırcı, A. E. (2012). Impact of Social Capital on Radical Innovation Efforts of the Organizations: A Case in the Aviation Industry. Ege Academic Review, 12(1), 53 – 66. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=htt...

Petticrew, M. & Roberts, H. (2005). Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences: A practical guide. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

Pittaway, L., Robertson, M., Munir, K., Denyer, D., & Neely, A. (2004). Networking and innovation: a systematic review of the evidence. International Journal of Management Reviews, 5-6(3-4), 137–168. doi:10.1111/j.1460-8545.2004.00101.x

Podolny, J. M., & Baron, J. N. (1997). Resources and relationships: Social networks and mobility in the workplace. America Sociological Review, 62(5), 673–693.

Rostila, M. (2011). The Facets of Social Capital. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 41(3), 308 – 326. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=phl&AN=PHL2175528&site=eds-live&scope=site

Saldana, J. (2009). An introduction to codes and coding. The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researcher, (p. 1-31). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-dada/24614_01_Saldana_Ch_01.pdf

Strike, K. & Posner, G. (1983). Types of synthesis and their criteria. Cornell University.

Thorpe, R., Holt, R., Macpherson, A., & Pittaway, L. (2005). Using knowledge within small and medium-sized firms: A systematic review of the evidence. International Journal of Management Reviews, 7(4), 257–281. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2370.2005.00116.x

Tranfield, D., Denyer, D., & Smart, P. (2003). Towards a methodology for developing evidence-informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. British Journal of Management, 14(3), 207-222. doi:10.1111/1467-8551.00375

Ward, S. A. (1983). Knowledge structure and knowledge synthesis. In S. A. Ward and L. J. Reed (Ed.), Knowledge Structure and Use, (pp. 19-44). Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.

Zheng, W. (2008). A Social Capital Perspective of Innovation from Individuals to Nations: Where is Empirical Literature Directing Us?: A Social Capital Perspective of Innovation. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(2), 151–183. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2370.2008.00247.x

About the author

Justin Blaney is the author six books including #1 National Bestselling Novel, Evan Burl and the Falling. He is a doctoral candidate at the University of Maryland. Justin obtained a B.A. in Business Administration in 2004 at George Fox University and received an M.B.A. with a minor in Marketing in 2011 at Texas A & M University. He speaks and consults on research topics such as network connections, behavior modification, and communication. Links to other works of scholarship authored by Justin can be found at http://justinblaney.com. He can be reached at justin@justinblaney.com.

I need your help: The mega ego blog post

I need your help!

There’s no way to sugar coat this: today’s post is all about me.

My publicist and agent are asking me to give them a new portrait and bio that is supposed to stay consistent for at least two years.

Will you help me with feedback so I don’t end up looking like an idiot for the next two years?

I know, you might be thinking, “My feedback ain’t gonna help much with that, Justin.”

Well then, at least help me put my best foot forward.

Please, leave your comments at the end of this post or tweet them to me @justinblaney.

This is the bio we’ve come up with so far

Bio

Let me get this out of the way, I really hate all this bragging stuff. But apparently that’s what bios are all about. My old bio is a lot more fun, in my opinion, but the suits said I need to clean it up and start acting like an adult. I’m caving in, but I still don’t want to sound like a total DB. So what do you think of this?

Justin Blaney is the #1 bestselling author of 6 books including Evan Burl and the Falling and the critically acclaimed photography journal, Fast Wide Open. He began attending college at 16, married his high school sweetheart and had the first of three daughters at 17. While earning several graduate degrees and raising his young family, Justin founded more than a dozen businesses and nonprofits, making him a millionaire at the age of 25. He has since lost his fortune several times over, but has been fortunate through those ups and downs to discover the work for which he was designed.

Justin’s passion is helping individuals and organizations develop and share their uniqueness, enabling them to achieve their greatest success in life and business. He’s reached over a million people in dozens of countries, getting to work with and be mentored by some of the most influential figures of our time. His blogs JustinBlaney.com and I4J.org receive over 100,000 monthly views and he is followed by more than 40,000 on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Youtube. Justin and his family live outside Seattle.

Portraits

Now it’s time for Ego Blog Post, part two. My last portrait is 4 years old. I promised myself I’d never go more than five years without an update. Using my dated prom portrait when I reach my 40s is just not cool with me.

So if you know anything about me, you know I’m kinda strange. I really like these portraits because we took them in the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. I think that’s cool. So far, I’m in the minority. Everyone I show them to asks, “Um, did you just escape prison?” or “Is there some deeper meaning to this setting, like your soul is breaking free.” What do you think? Hate it? Cool? Creepy?

Oh, one more thing. And brace yourself because this is so pretentious I’m blushing as I write it.

My agent thinks I need a more serious look in my portrait. I’ve always liked pictures where people are smiling in them as opposed to “looking to the future” or the “constipated look”, but I wanted to see what you thought. I’m trying to grow my speaking career and publish more non-fiction writing for audiences that are considerably stuffier than y’all. Just keep that in mind.

Portrait option A

Portrait option B

Portrait option C

Portrait option D (the color graded remix)

OK, I feel dirty now

I really have no idea how today’s selfie generation can stand posting photos of themselves constantly.

Scroll to the end of this post to leave some feedback on the portraits and bio. Thanks for your patience with all this ego!

Announcing this post’s Giveaway. I’m giving away over $1000 in prizes including a $250 Amazon Spree and 100 signed copies of great books.
Last contest’s winner is Robin Baker

Along with winning signed copies of several books, last week’s winner joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing . Here are the complete rules.

Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!

Watch for my next blog to see if you’ve won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.

Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!

Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles, Sally Hannoush, Christopher Burrell, Cathy Smith, Blake Goldstein, Katrina Epperson, Janae Schiele, Vanessa Rasanen, Katrina Umland, Deanna Wiseburn, Hope Clippinger, Rebecca Ann Baker, Lisa Whitten, Gavin Imes, Robin Baker

Be uncommon and find your why

The world is a better place because of uncommon ideas from uncommon people.

This is my why. The why that motivates me to write, teach, tell stories, and serve my clients. I love ideas that are different. I love hanging out with people who look at the world differently. I love working for organizations that are making an uncommon impact on this world.

Be uncommon.

This idea captures the meaning behind all of my projects. We want to find uncommon leaders, underdogs, catalysts for change, fearless soldiers of uniqueness, and help them fulfill their purpose.

Everyone should know the why behind what they do. Knowing your why frees you to be who you were made to be. It makes you more valuable to everyone around you. It’s about embracing everything that makes you you.

What is your why? If you’re not sure, what are you going to do to find it?

Join the conversation

Pen#1 Boise

Pen#1. Boise.

Proudly presenting Fast Wide Open

Discover a panorama of the inspiration for Justin’s postmodern fairytale anthology with this collection of 37 original images that explore character, architecture, setting, texture and visual storytelling. On Kindle, iBooks, paperback, or beautifully typeset hardback.

Want a free signed hardback copy of Fast Wide Open?

I’m giving a free eBook of Fast Wide Open to the first 20 people who agree to leave me a review on Amazon after you’ve checked it out. Email me at justin@justinblaney.com to participate! Plus, if you send me a link to your review when you’re done, you will have a 20% chance of winning a signed hardback copy of the book. You are not obligated to leave a positive review.

If you’re interested in seeing a sample of the photos included in Fast Wide Open, I’ve posted a few here.

Join the conversation