“Who” Trumps “How”: How Growing Your Networks Can
Help You
Maya Townsendwww.partneringresources.com
617.395.8396
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Presentation © 2009 Partnering Resources.
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• Founder of management consulting firm Partnering Resources• Specializes in identifying the hidden web of relationships that drive organization
performance and helping leaders reach across the “white spaces” to develop solutions that stick.
• Teaches leadership, strategy, and alignment at Northeastern University and Boston University Corporate Education Center.
• Published by CIO.Com, Mass High Tech, Chief Learning Officer, and other magazines and journals
• Serves on the Editorial Review Board for OD Practitioner, the premier organization development practitioner journal in the United States.
About the Presenter, Maya Townsend
617.395.8396 ٠ [email protected] ٠ www.partneringresources.com
Presentation © 2009 Partnering Resources.
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The point
The top 20% of performers in
organizations are more likely to cultivate and
leverage their networks
Presentation © 2009 Partnering Resources.
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AGENDA
1. What is a network?2. Why are networks important?3. How do high performers use networks?
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What’s a network?
Networks are all about movement
Computer networks move information from location to location
Public transportation networks help people travel in cities
The circulatory system carries oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from our cells
Presentation © 2009 Partnering Resources.
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The simplest work network
You have a question
You ask Mary at the next desk
She doesn’t know the answer and calls
Sam for advice
Sam knows how to answer the
question so Mary connects you to
Sam
Problem solved!
Human networks are also all about movement: The movement of information
Presentation © 2009 Partnering Resources.
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People form networks within teams
You know Mary Mary’s well connected: she interacts frequently with four other people
You’re also connected to Ami
And Sam regularly interacts with two other people
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The more people, the more complex the networks become
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In other words…A network consists of the trusted
relationships created by
employees in order to…
– Exchange information
– Complete work
– Get advice
– Solve problems
– Socialize
Facebook and LinkedIn help you connect with people and build networks. TouchGraph and Nexus help you visualize networks.
Presentation © 2009 Maya Townsend
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WHY ARE NETWORKS IMPORTANT?
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When we think of work as something we do alone, we tend to forget the interconnectedness of everything we do...
and how we need others to get things done.
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If we want to succeed, we need to look past the organization chart…
Jane is at the individual contributor level on the org chart
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…to what lies beneath
Jane is at the center of this network—10 people work directly with her, as
indicated by the solid lines
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…to what lies beneath
What if Jane were to leave the company?
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…to what lies beneath
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Without Jane, the organization fractures and
forms three silos
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HOW DO HIGH PERFORMERS USE NETWORKS?
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High performers are more likely to…
• Build high-quality relationships
• Invest in relationships to extend expertise, balance biases, and prevent career traps
• Position selves at key network points and leverage people around them
• Cultivate select ties with external experts
The top 20% of employees are more likely to build and maintain networks
Presentation © 2009 Partnering Resources. From Cross, Thomas, & Light, How Top Talent Uses Networks and Where Rising Stars Get Trapped
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In which area do you need to invest more attention?
A. Build high-quality relationshipsB. Invest in relationships that extend expertise,
balance biases, and prevent career trapsC. Position myself at key network points and
leverage people around me D. Cultivate select ties with external experts
Presentation © 2009 Partnering Resources.
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Considerations when building and maintaining networks• Operational networking
– Who do you need in order to get things done?
• Personal networking– Who do you need in order to
develop professionally?
• Strategic networking– Who do you need to build the future
you want?
• Qualities– Demographics– Location– Knowledge– Hubs & gatekeepers
Growing networks requires more giving than receiving!
Presentation © 2009 Partnering Resources.
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TO LEARN MORE…
Presentation © 2009 Partnering Resources.
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Maya Townsend, founder of Partnering Resources
Phone: 617.395.8396Email: [email protected]: www.partneringresources.com/resources.html
Contact
Presentation © 2009 Partnering Resources.