What are the actual requirements for being a successful network leader? And what resources are available to aid with this facilitation?
Making sure that you are familiar with the Network Leadership tenets is the first step, then. If you haven’t read my most recent writings on what makes a strong network leader and how to use diversity to your advantage, I’d advise you to do so to obtain the background information.
Your thinking will need to shift if you have an ingrained view that real leadership requires that everyone follow a clear “Hero” figure.
“You will need to bring about change by immersing yourself in Network Mindset Principles”
Even if you are receptive to the notion, you might still be required to display unusual behaviours like transparency and relinquishing control.
Network leadership is, by definition, the antithesis of “doing it alone.” In order to build networks that can adapt as the environment changes, network leaders must feel at ease working in highly connected ways.
So it should come as no surprise that networks are based on relationships.
ABC – Always Be Connecting
It is your responsibility as the network leader to consciously introduce and connect people, creating bridges between previously unconnected groups.
LinkedIn is a resource you might utilise to your advantage in this. LinkedIn is a potent tool for connecting and growing your networks, with more than 20 million users in the UK and 433 million users globally.
Your value to both people and the networks as a whole increases as you assist others in expanding their networks. Your capacity to develop responsive networks is consequently enhanced. In real life, you must constantly be on the lookout for opportunities to introduce people who you believe will benefit one another.
Allow Networks to pull their own strings
The most effective networks self-organize, thus it is your responsibility as the network leader to actively facilitate this.
Someone who volunteers to take on a duty is demonstrating their willingness to be held accountable by the network. Compared to someone who is following “orders” in a conventional leadership structure, they are more likely to be driven to perform the assignment to a high standard.
This might actually take the form of a job swap where users on the network trade responsibilities with one another for the benefit of the network as a whole. But they must first get to know one another.
Yammer is one possible tool that could help people get to know one another better in a setting that encourages listening, sharing, and storytelling.
Yammer offers an online arena for connecting ideas and experiences to share a feeling of purpose and function as a motivator for action since physical proximity isn’t always possible at work.
Learn to Echo the purpose of your Networks
When networks have a similar objective and feeling of purpose, they are most effective.
This mission and purpose should be ingrained in Network Leaders’ daily lives because it is what will ultimately keep the Network cohesive and on track.
Keep abreast of developments that could affect your objective and purpose both inside and outside of the networks. Share this information with your network.
Encourage Learning by Risk-Taking
The ability of highly connected networks to react to changes in conditions very quickly is a huge potential benefit of network leadership.
It’s critical to offer people the freedom to experiment and the tools they need to act promptly on criticism. The Network Leadership Model’s strength comes from this constant level of pushing the envelope and changing to get the best answers.
Ask your network questions and allow them to inform (or demonstrate) you of your options.
Provide the Platform for Collaboration
If taking initiative is the definition of leadership, then a group’s ability to succeed rather than a single person must possess the necessary abilities. Finding ways to interact online is crucial because most networks may be constrained by face-to-face chances.
Bring all of the people in your network together in one location, and invite them to participate by beginning conversations and exchanging information.
Huddle, a technology created expressly as a collaborative workspace that enables anywhere, anytime working, is one possible platform for this.
Believe in the model
Last but not least, you must always lead with openness and honesty as a Network Leader and believe in everyone’s capacity for leadership. In the end, your network will function better the more you can demonstrate the Network Leadership mindset.
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