Network Leadership Blog

Try searching for a topic related to building, managing, or evaluating cross-sector networks, coalitions, and community partnerships.

We create network leadership infographics to help our users understand network science concepts, metrics and ideas. Some examples include network governance, communication, facilitation, trust and power. We’re always adding new network science infographics too – check back regularly! Have a specific topic you want us to cover? Send us a message and we’ll see what we can do!

Blogs

Highlighting Our Work for NAPCRG’s 50th Annual Meeting

At Visible Network Labs, we work closely with organizations to map, track, and visualize their networks. We’ve collaborated with non-profits, government agencies, and private entities. In April 2022, in recognition of its 50th Anniversary and Conference, we worked with NAPCRG to conduct a survey that

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Network Science Reference Guide
Blogs

Network Science: A Reference Guide

Network science. We engage in it everyday, knowingly or not. But how? And what is it? Networks are all around us. Human beings have formed and utilized networks from the beginning of humankind; to hunt, gather and prevent inbreeding, to begin revolutions and wage war,

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Boston Tea Party
Blogs

How Networks Helped Foster the American Revolution

Human beings have been creating, joining, and relying on networks since the beginning of our species. Research from an international group of academics found that early humans living in the area of what is now known as Sunghir – a famed archeological site in Russia

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Network Management
Blogs

5 Tips on Network Management from our Data Science Team

Network managment can be an imperfect science: Unlike typical hierarchical organizations, a network is horizontal, with few formal mechanisms for accountability through control. Network leaders have to rely on more abstract ideas like trust and mission alignment to keep their partners accountable, engaged, and committed

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Blogs

Building a Strong Coalition Means Letting Go of the Reins

When building a coalition, you should set aside your preconceived conceptions and positions concerning your goals, priorities, and policies. Remaining open-minded is one of a network leader’s best tools. After all, a network’s access to different ideas and ways of thinking is one of its

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Blogs

7 Tips for Strategic Networking with Community Partners

A strong network of community partners is a powerful asset to any social change organization. However, it is not easy building these networks, especially if you are new to the challenge. Network science theories and lessons from the field have a great deal to teach

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Conflict Resolution in Coalitions
Blogs

Conflict Resolution in Coalitions: Causes and Solutions

“I assume that every collaboration will bring conflict that must be managed” ⏤ Nancy Cantor Tweet Conflict in a coalition is normal – in fact, it’s usually a sign that the coalition or network is quite strong and engaged. Its members are passionate and involved,

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Didn’t find what you were looking for? Visit our Network Leadership Resource Library to see all of our blogs, infographics, webinars, research and other relevant resources. We cover topics ranging from network governance structures, human-centered network design, and diversity, equity and inclusion to conflict resolution, network mapping and analysis, and telling your network story. We’re always adding new resources too, so check back often for new infographics every month.

If you have a specific network science or leadership topic that you’d like to see turned into an infographic, send our team a message and we’ll see if we can put something together for you! Past requests have included an intro to using our tools, network facilitation tips, and examples of translating a network map into actionable insights to improve collaboration. Whatever your question, send it our way. We love a good network challenge!

Beyond our own infographics, we also love this infographic from entrepreneur on the Art and Science of Networking. It makes some great network science points without ever realizing it! Even though relationship-building feels intuitive, network science still has a lot to teach us, as this infographic clearly demonstrates. Thanks again for stopping by.

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