This document discusses network leadership and how to change systems through networks. It defines networks as sets of relationships that influence communication, collaboration, and innovation. Networks are useful for problems where the solution is unknown, as they encourage experimentation and learning. The document discusses how to map networks, identify strengths and challenges as a network weaver, explore clustering and self-organizing, and how change happens through many small experiments and actions. It provides examples of clustering people by interests and how to support clusters through communication platforms, identifying opportunities, and reporting on projects. The goal is to better connect networks and support self-organized collaboration.
2. 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
3. Speed Networking
• Why did you come to this session?
• What would you like to learn about
networks?
19. What do we mean by networks?
Networks are sets of
relationships and the
patterns they create
These patterns
influence the quality
of communication
and the likelihood of
collaboration and
innovation
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20. What do we mean by networks?
Formal Network
Intentional Network
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21. Comparison
Organization Network
• Useful when problems are • Useful when you don’t know
simple how to solve problem
• Leaders tell people what to • Leaders encourage others to
do act and take initiative
• Focus on innovation,
• Focus on planning and goals
experimentation, and learning
• People work alone or on • People work on many
teams or committees different small projects with
• People need to agree many different people
• People don’t need to agree
28. 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?
30. 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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32. 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?
42. 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 42
connected.
43. 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.
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44. How can you support a cluster?
• Frame benefits of • Help the cluster discover
networks and high-leverage priorities
collaboration • Get group to identify
• Get the group to map the overall cluster
cluster elements coordinator
• Identify all the people • Set up communication
working in the cluster platforms (google docs,
• Help people in cluster get conference call line, etc)
to know each other • Set up an email list
• Help people identify • Have people report back
opportunities for self- on projects and self-
organized projects organize new projects
45. How might you experiment with
clusters?
How might you help people
identify clusters?
How could you support them?
46. Reflection
What are your next steps?
What is one thing you will do tomorrow?
What is one thing you will do in the next 2 weeks?
Here is Anthony Smith from Netowrk Center for Community Change.
I met him through Twitter, which is where network innovators hang out.
Anthony has done incredible work briding divides.Recently he’s been brining black and white fathers together, helping them get to know each other and working together on improving the schools in their neighborhoods.
He works with many other porganizations to convene network nights in different neighborhoods –
These evenings are incredibly interactive. People really build relationships. They also help each other uncover things they are passionate about in their community – what do they care about, what do they want to do something about!
Then people can sign up for Network 101 or similar program with the technical college. – not only learn about network building but all decide on collabroative projects they want to do. Here a group are going out in twosies to meet people in their neighborhood, ask about issues and concerns, and map their neighborhood.
This way, they identify problem areas.
They they hold dinner events at abandoned lots, where they collect ideas about what to do and form groups to take ation to make a garden or fill in a dangerous basement. People are supported to not just talk but to act in small groups and to work with organizations and bureaucracie that will help them do something.
The neighborrhood has a disabled vet who is a wonderful videographer so as people do things, he records their storiy to inspire others. Help them reflect on what they’ ve done… learn and make breakthroughs
When trying to change systems, makes more sense to start by changing the way people relate to each other. So instead of zipping by a drive-through window where your relationship with your server is to grab a softdrink, on the right we have a wonderful group of young people from a low-income housing project who are growing food for their families in a community garden, selling food at the farmers market, making products like sauerkraut that they sell to add to their families income. But even more importantly for them and the community, they have become network leaders. They are learning how to support each other, and impacting policy in our community.
There are several definitions of networks, but the key to understanding new ways of relating is to understand this definition” networks are sets of relationships AND the patterns they create…
There are several definitions of networks, but the key to understanding new ways of relating is to understand this definition” networks are sets of relationships AND the patterns they create…
.
This is a picture of ginger -- it ’s called a rhizome. Every bud of ginger has the nutrients in it to sprout several more buds. Think about the way we are project coordinators -- if we always try to coordinate a project with someone else and coach them so they learn the skills needed to be a coordinator on their own, then we can get much more action in our networks. So after a while, your role changes from coordinator to coach - you spend more time helping others learn how to be a coordinator and less time doing yourself. So as we are going over the skills and processes of project coordinator, think how you can help others learn this as well.
But hidden treasurers are not just devices to wrap festivals around but ways to jumpstart all kinds of new econ activity for your comm…in this case, the festival was venue for local artists who gained a following helped cd sales, place to encruage development of paw paw products, way to motivate local folks to convert large home to b & b and way to provide local farmers with better pawpaw trees.