Becoming a Successful Community Weaver

Lisa Colton Darim Online July 19, 2012

AGENDA

• Refresher: Fortress vs Sponge• Network Basics• What is a Network Weaver?• Skills and Activities of Weavers• Shifting Job Responsibilities & Descriptions• Discussion Q&A

NETWORK WEAVERSJune Holley’s Definition: A Network Weaver is someone who is aware of the networks around them and explicitly works to make them healthier (more inclusive, bridging divides). Network Weavers do this by connecting people strategically where there’s potential for mutual benefit, helping people identify their passions, and serving as a catalyst for self-organizing groups.

As A Network Weaver

• You help people see opportunities• Support initiation of collaborative projects • You coach and support• You help them notice what works • You encourage them to spread the

patterns of success and scale• You help deepen the quality of

relationships• Your help people learn to work in

networked ways

Fortress: Insiders in, Outsiders out

Sponges: Transparency & Constant Flow In and Out

Traditional Mindset: Hub & Spokes

Network Mindset

“connect and collaborate” rather than “command and control”

7 Steps to Network Weaving

1. Shift in leadership mindset2. Know your network3. Socialize4. Listen and Engage5. Connect6. Strengthen Network Systems7. Evolve Your Role as the Network Matures

1. Network Leadership Organizational Leadership

Position, authority

Few leaders

Leader broadcasts

Leader controls

Top down

Planning

Provides service

Network Leadership

Role, behavior

Everyone is a leader

Leader engages

Leader facilitates and supports

Bottom Up

Innovation & Experimentation

Supports self-organization

Adapted from June Holley’s Network Weaving Handbook, pg 29

Allowing for emergence, surprises, experiments

Listening

Permeable boundaries

Sharing and giving

Transparency

Not putting people into boxes

Valuing diversity and inclusiveness

Value errors and mistakes

http://ccc.georgkolb.com/

2. Mapping Networks

Mapping canilluminate key opportunities for action and

investment

know the net -- see the map of how things really work knit the net -- adjust the network for improvements

3. SOCIALIZE

Temple BethAbraham in Tarrytown, NY

AS YOU SOCIALIZE:

BE YOUR TRUE SELF!

4. Listening & EngagingYou have to BE

IN the conversation.

Rabbi Danny Burkeman on Twitter (@Rabbi_Danny) shares his professional activities, reflections, thought leadership, hobbies and more in conversation with his local community and beyond.

BE GENEROUS

5. Make Connections

And ... Increasing Connectivity• New audiences

bring new ideas• Flow leads to

health• Leave room for

adjustments and the unexpected

• Rethink “ownership”

#JED21 led to #JEDchat

6. Communication is Everything

7 . Plan (or allow) for Emergence

Na’aseh v’nishmah

Benefits of Strong Networks

• More efficient use of staff time• Regenerative, constant flow• Sustaining energy• Responsive• Focus on people and community• Cultivate appreciation for “host”

Network Weaver Roles

Connector Catalyst

Connects people. Gets network building started.

Build social culture.

Network Facilitator

Helps convene people to set up a more explicit and focused

network.

Self-Organized Project Coordinator

Helps coordinate self-organized projects.

Network Guardian

Helps put in place systems for networks: communications,

training, support, etc.

Don’t Have All The Answers:Over-functioning leadership disempowers networks

Thrive By Working Together

Chris Brogan• Spend 20 minutes a day observing

your network. • Spend 10 minutes a day cultivating

new relationships. • Use an organized contact

management system to manage relationships, not just keep contact info.

• Deliver two to three times as much value as you ask from your network. This keeps people eager to be helpful when the time comes that you need them.

Beth Kanter• Make it personal. Ask for their stories, their input, their thoughts. Emphasize theirimportance to the community and allow them to run with projects and to be creativeEveryone wants to contribute and to make something better/leave a lasting mark.

• Humanize your leaders. Make them available. If the members feel like the community is very hierarchical they may never feel like they belong on the “inside”.

Use your position to energize your community.

• Play matchmaker. The leaders in the community should focus onputting people together with like ideas, interests etc. help them bridgethe social interaction gap.

Job DescriptionsProgram Staff

Social Media Managers

Community Managers

Network Weavers

Network Weaving Handbook

Facebook group discussion:http://bit.ly/networkweaving

Follow June Holley’s Workon Network Weaving

Catalyzing Networks for Social Change, Monitor Institute, pg 15

Next Session

July 31, 2012 1-2pm easternMobile Strategies

Continue the discussion on our Facebook Group:

http://on.fb.me/urjbootcamp