Conference presentation by Sue Johnston and Jason Little at Gatineau-Ottawa Agile Tour (GOAT) 2018. It's about how we stop underestimating the power of our personal networks and build, refine, amplify and activate them.

1. Navigating the White Space
Using the power of social networks
Sue Johnston
Jason Little

2. The Big Idea
We underestimate the
value and power of
our relationships

3. Today
• Recognize your network
• Build your network
• Refine your network
• Activate your network

4. What’s the white space?

5. Why does it matter?
There’s the organization chart – and then there’s the way things really work.
Fortune Magazine

6. Why does it matter?
“Research has consistently shown that
whom you know has a significant
impact on what you come to know,
because relationships are critical for
obtaining information, solving
problems and learning how to do
your work.”
The Hidden Power of Social Networks

7. The value of a network
• Brokerage – build bridges
between clusters,
strengthen weak ties,
cross-pollinate ideas
Illustration: Dave Gray, XPLANE
https://medium.com/the-xplane-collection/anatomy-of-a-social-network-de73f1224ac5

8. The value of a network
• Brokerage – build bridges
between clusters, strengthen
weak ties, cross-pollinate
ideas
• Closure – develop the
strong ties, build
community
Illustration: Dave Gray, XPLANE
https://medium.com/the-xplane-collection/anatomy-of-a-social-network-de73f1224ac5

9. The value of a network
• Degree – the number of
connections one node has
to others
Illustration: Dave Gray, XPLANE
https://medium.com/the-xplane-collection/anatomy-of-a-social-network-de73f1224ac5

10. The value of a network
• Degree – the number of
connections one node has to
others
• Closeness – how easily one
node can connect with
other nodes
Illustration: Dave Gray, XPLANE
https://medium.com/the-xplane-collection/anatomy-of-a-social-network-de73f1224ac5

11. The value of a network
• Degree – the number of
connections one node has to
others
• Closeness – how easily one
node can connect with other
nodes
• Betweenness – the degree
to which a node forms a
bridge between nodes
Illustration: Dave Gray, XPLANE
https://medium.com/the-xplane-collection/anatomy-of-a-social-network-de73f1224ac5

12. Recognize your network

13. Mapping your network
• Think of a change in your org.
• Put yourself in the middle of
the page
• Draw the people who are
involved in this issue
• Are the ties weak or strong?
EXERCISE

14. • What’s your sphere of
influence?
Mapping your network EXERCISE

15. Circles in Action

16. Characteristics of your network
• Density
• Duration
• Proximity
• Direction

17. Characteristics of your network
• Real data (Sue’s LinkedIn)
• Four key hubs
• Spot some opportunities?
• Who are these people?
Agile +
change
Professional
Coaching
Business
Communication
Training +
Development

18. Leverage others’ networks
“You know a . . . ”
Illustration, network of networks

19. The networker’s stance
• Today’s change agent – making
connections
Illustration:
Switchboard
Operator

20. Build your network

21. Think like a marketer

22. Think like a marketer
• Organize meetups internally

23. Think like a marketer
Rumour Mill
Fake News
Factual InfoFake News
Fake News Fake News
Fake News
Fake News
Factual Info
Factual Info
Factual Info
Factual Info

24. Fish where the fish are
• Don’t just hang with your tribe
• Get out and about
• Go to other people’s
conferences and meetups
• Just call people

25. Reciprocity
• Flexibility – give and take
• Share information
• Don’t be a one trick pony
Agile all
the things

26. Reciprocity
“If we create networks with the sole intention
of getting something, we won’t succeed.
“We can’t pursue the benefits of networks;
the benefits ensue from investments in
meaningful activities and relationships.”
Adam Grant
Give and Take, A Revolutionary Approach to Success

27. Refine your network

28. Be yourself

29. Be yourself
• Be self-aware
• Your style will shape how you
work for change
• Be authentic
• Find your groove
• Find your channel

30. Secret we learned (the hard way)
• Develop courage and tact – in equal measure
• Lets you swim with the current, not against it

31. Activate your network

32. What next?
• Where are the gaps in your network?
• What’s the most important relationship to work on?
• A gentle nudge?

33. Resources
VIKAS NARULA – KEYHUBS
http://www.keyhubs.com/
VALDIS KREBS – ORGNET
http://www.orgnet.com/about.html
DAVE GRAY ROB CROSS
ANDREW PARKER
Find us here
Toronto
June 13-14, 2019
jason@leanintuit.com
sue@leanintuit.com