June Holley, Network Weaver june@networkweaving.com January 2010 Network Basics June Holley, Network Weaver june@networkweaving.com January 2010

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

Network Basics Nodes Link Connected pair Isolates Directional link Triangles Open Closed Before we look at your maps, we need to go over some of the terminology used in social network analysis. First, squares on the maps -- which represent people - are called nodes. The lines between nodes mean there is some kind of relationship, and this is called a link. When two nodes are connected, connected pair. Someone who is not connected to anyone on the map is an isolate. Some of the maps we will see in the afternoon with show directional links…when I answer that I work with another person, the map will show an arrow point from me to that person. One of the most important ways to improve a network is to find open triangles - situations where I know two people who do not know each other - and close them by introducing those two people to each other. Valdis Krebs orgnet.com

What do we mean by networks? Big “N” networks Little “n” network Catalytic Circle Network

We Need Different Lenses Network Lens Organizational Lens

The Organizational Lens Valdis Krebs orgnet.com

The Network Lens Valdis Krebs orgnet.com

A tree can only get bigger

…it can also be chopped down!

Rhizomatic plants spread and grow Woods of bamboo -- always growing larger AND expanding the woods . And, if you feed one bamboo, interesting thing is that the nutrients are

…because they are connected by vast networks of support There is a thick mat of rhizomes connecting the bamboo.. Spread nutrients, and if you chop one bamboo down , the nutriets can combine in different ways to result in a new sprout that perhaps is more adaptable than the old.

Organization ~ Network Kristen- inter-org … authority issues… how info & power flows, what influence look s like… lewis partnership & coll..how to… improving what they do… moving bold ideas thru disparate people… engagement… all stakeholders..so busy.. How get them to participate to tipping… rmelody..more explicit when use examples of new kinds leadership, more open to ideas new leaders , organic --move this into change, know the patterns, less about how actual transfer happen… mike.. Rigs..what do we do next … when work w partnerships tend to want to move to organizational model… this group resp and do planning… behave more like networks…redundancy

What is the Function of Your Network? Learning Network Policy Network Catalytic Network Do Network (Implementation)

What do we mean by Networks? NETWORKS W/ FORMAL ELEMENTS INSTITUTION-ALIZED NETWORKS INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS SELF-ORGANIZING NETWORKS ‘NETWORKING’ Ask June to talk to big N, little n distinction INFORMAL Network FORMAL Organization Adapted from Taschereau & Bolger (2007) Chart by Monitor Institute

Why analyze networks? Improve information flow Increase communication Increase awareness of relationships Increase inclusion & peer interaction across traditional divides Open new resources Expand and support leadership Encourage innovation, collaboration & learning for better outcomes and breakthroughs Increase the chance of spread of good ideas/practices

Smart Networks: Networks most helpful in promoting collaboration & innovation Network Structure 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 What does all that have to do with networks? Another network analyst and I looked at networks from hundreds of successful commmunities. Those that were char of these successful regions looked like this. They had core of clusters --counties, types of organizations…. People in the core may not have worked with everyone but they knew about them and could draw on them for projects in the region. More in the core , more in the thick of things, hearing about what is going on and taking part in key activieis. Other part that communities often forget about is the periphery. These are people you do not interact with regularly but are very important resources--people who share new ideas when you go to a conference, foundations with resources you can access, people in other communities who have tried some new approaches that you can learn from.

Characteristics of Smart Networks Self-Organized Action Many people initiate experiments & collaborations Move from small acts to larger Breakthroughs from diversity Successful innovations spread

Support Emergence and the Tipping Point 1000 Projects Emergence of Collaborative Region Entrepreneurs Tipping Point to Self-Organization vv v 50 2006 1993

Be Rhizomatic! Every act contains the nutrients for many additional acts: training, network connections, seed resources

Network Strategies + Self-Organizing Experiments + Rhizomatic Acceleration = Transformation

Network Weaver A Network Weaver is willing to take responsibility for making the network more effective by increasing the quantity and quality of connections.

Characteristics of Smart Networks Network Weavers & Guardians Much capacity building, skill building Trust building activities Facilitation of initial actions Creation of support structures & communication systems (esp Web 2.0)

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