Network Leadership

October 2012

Outcomes for today

• Map the system you want to change and its network

• Identify your Network Weaver strengths and challenges

• Explore clustering and self-organizing

2

Speed Networking

• Why did you come to this session?

• What would you like to learn about networks?

Why networks?

We Have Big Complex Problems

14

Neighborhoods Hunger

We Need to Understand and Change Systems

Unpredictable

Vicious Cycles

15

Changing systems is about changing how people

relate….

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Network holding old way in place

17

People who want change…

often disconnected

18

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What do we mean by networks?

These patterns influence the quality of communication and the likelihood of collaboration and innovation

Networks are sets of relationships and the patterns they create

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What do we mean by networks?

Intentional Network

Formal Network

Comparison

Organization• Useful when problems are

simple• Leaders tell people what to

do• Focus on planning and goals• People work alone or on

teams or committees• People need to agree

Network• Useful when you don’t know

how to solve problem• Leaders encourage others to

act and take initiative• Focus on innovation,

experimentation, and learning• People work on many different

small projects with many different people

• People don’t need to agree

How does change happen?

We need experiments

We need many people to initiate action

Buzz

What questions do I have?

How would this apply to my situation?

Network Mapping

• What do you notice about your network? Enough people? Need more? Certain people excluded? Certain skills and resources missing? Are people connected to each other? Certain parts of the system not connected to?

• Who are 3 people (or organizations) that you need to connect with in the coming month?

How networks work

Smart Networks:Most helpful in promoting collaboration &

innovation

• Core consists of clusters w different perspectives who know & trust each other

• Periphery draws in new ideas & resources

• This represents a Field of Potential for action

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You are a Network Weaver!

Reflection• What did you notice

about yourself as a Network Weaver?

• What are your strengths?

• What would you like to learn more about?

• How can I share my checklist with others in my network?

Reach Out

Deep listening

Close triangle

Small Acts

Networks are Rhizomatic

Clustering People by What They

Think Will Make A Difference

4242

TOPIC: Conflict Transformation

Minimal training, need more

Aware but need more info

No answer

Seasoned practitioner, could lead and train

Seasoned, could lead

Could support a seasoned practitioner

Trained, need experience

Very interested in helping organize topic

There are many people willing to organize this group, and many who could lead and train. Already a core connected, but convening this group could better connect the larger network as many are not connected.

4343

TOPIC: Peacebuilding

Seasoned practitioner, could lead and train

Aware but need more info

No answer

Experienced, could be part of team

Minimal training, need more

Could support a seasoned practitioner

Trained, need experience

Very interested in helping organize topic

Loosely connected, less leadership and experience, but 4 people willing to help organize.

How can you support a cluster?

• Frame benefits of networks and collaboration

• Get the group to map the cluster elements

• Identify all the people working in the cluster

• Help people in cluster get to know each other

• Help people identify opportunities for self-organized projects

• Help the cluster discover high-leverage priorities

• Get group to identify overall cluster coordinator

• Set up communication platforms (google docs, conference call line, etc)

• Set up an email list• Have people report back

on projects and self-organize new projects

How might you experiment with clusters?

How might you help people identify clusters?

How could you support them?

ReflectionWhat are your next steps?

What is one thing you will do tomorrow?

What is one thing you will do in the next 2 weeks?

June HolleyEmail: june@networkweaving.com Web: www.networkweaver.com