Failing Productively in Systems Change: Key Mindsets & Practices
This era of disruption requires us to take on deeper systemic challenges. As changemakers, how do we embrace failure as an inevitable part of the work of shifting complex systems? And how do we detangle it from feelings of fear that prevent us from taking the deep risks needed to advance real change?
We've developed tools, resources, and strategies to purposefully assist…
Transforming Impact : how evaluation and impact are shifting
Given the complexity and depth of the world’s problems, evaluation theories, practices and processes are shifting to better respond to that complexity. The argument goes something like this: problems in our world are increasingly complex, current approaches that fund individual projects (requiring clear outcomes, and evaluating progress towards those outcomes) have actually…
Power dynamics: A systemic inquiry
by Dr Anna Birney
Why this article? Purpose and position
The word power keeps popping up wherever I turn. Through my ten years of doing my doctorate action research it was all over my notes and reflections. I kept pushing it out of what I was writing about and feeling scared to even go there as if the power of it itself was too much to face or to look at, as if it was just too…
Introduction to Network Weaving: A Crash Course for Beginners
by Adrian Röbke
This article is for aspiring network weavers who seek to co-create systemic change.
Network Weaving: A Missing Link for Systemic Change
Picture this:
You’re standing in a large room with people from different communities, organizations, and sectors.
They’ve gathered, but most don’t know each other.
At first, the room feels fragmented.……
Network Values Surveys Module
Having a group or network take a values survey raises awareness of the values and behaviors that enable networks to be system shifting or transformational.
This Network Values Module includes two web-based network values surveys, along with printable versions and a printable flyer of a list Network Values.
offered by June Holley Download Having a group or network take a…
3 Level Networks
Transformation or system shifting requires networks to be involved in networks of networks. This diagram and activity is designed to help networks develop networks of networks to maximize their impact.
Networks need to be part of three types of networks, shown in the drawing below. Activity:
First, locate your network: is it a local network, a network with a…
Collective Impact
Systems Shifting Network Approach
If you are a Collective Impact initiative, you might want to share this chart with your partners and spend time deciding which network qualities you might easily incorporate into your efforts.
offered by June Holley Download People frequently ask “How do network approaches differ from Collective Impact? Actually, Collective Impact, with a few…
Innovation Asset Assessment
Network innovation is a key ingredient in system shifting networks. This is a survey you can use to assess just how innovative your network is.
offered by June Holley
Download Network innovation is a key ingredient in system shifting networks. This is a survey you can use to assess just how innovative your network is. It can be printed out, handed out to network…
June Holley’s Network Weaving Institute
June Holley has created a new entity, the Network Weaving Institute, so that you can easily track and collaborate in her writing and set up time for consultations with her.
June has been weaving networks, helping others weave networks and writing about networks for over 40 years. She is currently increasing her capacity to capture learning and innovations…
A Loosely-woven Basket to Contain a Thought
In Whose Story Is This? (A Hero Is a Disaster, 2019), Rebecca Solnit reminds us of Ursula Le Guin’s proposal of “the bottle as hero.” By this Le Guin means that instead of the easily-accessible dramatic story of the male-brandishing-spear and hunt being “heroic,” she considers women’s work of gathering into a bottle or basket true heroism, and worthy drama. In the early years of our…