The New Network Leader

In the world of complex, multi-stakeholder problem-solving, approaches like collective impact and technologies like social media offer useful, concrete structures and tools—but alone, they are insufficient for achieving transformational change. Likewise, social entrepreneurs—despite often-heroic efforts—often struggle to achieve large-scale, sustainable change as they build and grow their own organizations.

At the heart of some of the most sophisticated, large-scale solutions to social problems are some of the most accomplished leaders you’ve never heard of: network entrepreneurs. Network entrepreneurs actively catalyze networks (or organizations that function like networks), leading to an exponential increase in growth and scale beyond what their own organization could accomplish. These leaders don’t use a single approach, employ a single tool, or operate alone. As they expand and evolve their networks—far beyond the walls of their own organizations—they make sure that their own power fades and the capacity of others grows. Most of all, they go the last mile and create a rare level of deep trust among network partners; they emphasize “return on relationships,” convinced that sustained, authentic relationships are the foundation on which all successful collaborative efforts thrive.

Today, these leaders are generating systems-level social impact in environmental conservation, education, economic development, and beyond. In this series, several leading network entrepreneurs share their perspectives and lessons on catalyzing networks for social change.