September 2015
Webinar 2
Network Leadership Webinar Series:
Today’s Presenter: Chris Ernst

Boundary Spanning Leadership
Integrated with Network Development
Chris
Ernst
Today’s Discussion
Leader

A Network of Allies

What
are boundary spanning
networks?
How
to span boundaries in
networks?
Why
do they matter?
So What
are the implications?

What
are boundary spanning
networks?

Boundary Spanning Networks
Drath, W.H., McCauley, C., Palus, C.J., Van Velsor, E., O’Connor, P.M.G., McGuire, J.B. (2008). Direction, alignment, commitment:
Toward a more integrative ontology of leadership. Leadership Quarterly. 19:635-653.

7 Copyright © 2012 Juniper Networks, Inc. JUNIPER NETWORKS CONFIDENTIAL

Question for Reflection
What’s a innovation challenge
you or your organization
currently face that can only
be solved by collaborating across
boundaries??

Why
do they matter?

Center for Creative Leadership Research
Vertical
Across levels
and hierarchy
Horizontal
Across functions
and expertise
Stakeholder
Beyond boundaries of
the company with
external partners
Demographic
Across diverse groups
(e.g.., gender, ethnic,
nationality
Geographic
Across regions
and locality
Organization Boundaries

6 Levels 15 Functions
Multiple customer
accounts
Broad ethnic, gender,
generational,
cognitive diversity
18 countries
Organization Boundaries
Purpose Built Boundary Spanning Network

Geographical Network
Individuals at the
headquarters (HQ) location
have larger networks,
averaging 24 known
contacts.
Non-headquarters (Non-HQ)
employees average 16
known contacts.

Vertical Network
The network is hierarchical, with
interaction flowing upward.
Average contacts increased at higher levels
― Manager – 10.6
― Director – 13.9
― Senior Director – 18.3
― Vice President – 27.7
― Executive – 43.0
Information
Seekers
Information Providers
Significantly higher than expected
Higher than expected
Levels of Collaboration
Average to slightly above
expected
Below expected
Significantly lower than
expected

Horizontal Network
Among the two groups, 49% of Engineering’s incoming relationships are with Sales. Only
21% of Sales’ incoming relationships are with Engineering. Both groups have less than
expected levels of collaboration with each other.

Question for Reflection
Across what type of
boundary is your
organization most
effective at
collaborating?

Question for Reflection
Across what type of
boundary is your
organization least
effective at
collaborating?

How
to span boundaries in
networks?

Tactic 1: Design the Right Environment

Tactic 2: Explore New Perspectives

Tactic 3: Use Experts Wisely

Tactic 4: Mix Formal Hierarchy & Informal Networks

Tactic 5: Activate Three Roles Critical to Innovation
Connectors Brokers Energizers

Key Network Roles

So What
are the implications?

BOUNDARIES
bound⋅a⋅ry
1. Something that indicates bounds or limits;
a border or bounding line
©2011Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.

FRONTIERS
bound⋅a⋅ry
2. Also called frontier. The location of the
most advanced or newest activity in an
area.
©2011 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.

Key Takeaways

ASIA PACIFIC CONNECTORS
AMERICAS CONNECTORS
BANGALORE CONNECTORS
Applying Boundary Spanning Networks at Scale

Juniper Connectors
 Approximately 5% of Juniper
population mixed across five
boundary dimensions
 Chartered to improve
performance via networked
approaches to direction,
alignment and commitment
 Empowered through
experiences that enable doing
what they naturally do, even
better – Connect Everything,
Empower Everyone
AMPLIFY
Direction
ACCELERATE
Alignment
AMBASSADORS
Culture/Commitment
NETWORK BEHIND THE NETWORK

Resources, Questions & Discussion

Thank You!
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