The Secret Behind Organizing a Network

When I really look at it, the opportunity to organize networks of people is all around.

Last night I did an impromptu facilitation of a group interested in purchasing a community property, and developing a business model that would sustain them and their families for generations to come.

I came to share about my own interest and process within my network of people, which was, to my delight, now expanding to their network of friends and co-creators.

Then there was an opportunity and permission to offer some organizational advice, as I am wont to do. I did warn them that, as an efficiency freak, I often have an opinion about what would free up stuck energy so that they can continue to evolve their project.

We clarified each of their business models, and assessed how aligned they were about each one. I think there were some surprising realizations in the group about how they were not actually all on the same page about each one. What it was, how it looked on the ground, and what work they were willing to put into it all needed an outside observer/facilitator to help them uncover their unconscious, or simply unspoken, visions of what the expression of each business model would look like on the ground.

I’m proud of this group. They were honest, compassionate, and committed. Most importantly, they were an engaged group. There’s incredible power in engagement and interest and focus. The more we focus and the more we share a focus, the more powerful our intentions build into manifest reality.

However, without a robust feedback loop to understand what each person in their small team currently thinks, there’s no way they can stay aligned in their process. The secret is active listening.

Please—take the time to listen actively to each other, that means without your biases front and center. Actually, Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, recently said active listening involves seeking out contrary opinions. That means actively putting your own thoughts aside to make room for what’s actually being communicated to you. Try not to filter or change the meaning of it as you listen. It will save you a lot of time and heartache down the road.