Network Leadership in the 21st Century. How Does It Work?

In today’s interconnected, digital world, establishing and maintaining networks—both within and external to the organization—is the key to success. In a recent publication in the Cambridge Press “Elements in Leadership” series, Dr. Jeffrey Beeson outlines the importance of networks for leaders. He suggests that networks are largely overlooked in leadership theory and research. Beeson uses the analogy of the neural pathways in our brains. In organizations and between entities in our interconnected world, information, energy, and even emotions flow throughout these networks. Effective network leadership is crucial for success today.

Here are key points from Beeson's work on understanding and utilizing networks for leaders:

1. Networks are not static. Networks are constantly changing, and a small change can ripple through a network, altering behavior and impact. Even strong network relationships can suddenly change (witness the altered relationships between the U.S. and E.U. countries). Weak ties in networks can present new opportunities for the savvy leader. Leaders need to be vigilant, recognize changes, and adapt to them.
2. Successful network leadership is about fostering connections and flow. Instead of the old idea of “command and control,” leaders need to nurture relationships, build trust, and foster social-emotional competencies in followers so that they themselves can develop and maintain strong networks.
3. Networking tools are important. In order to create and foster strong networks, communication tools need to be used. Networking tools and sites such as Slack, Zoom, LinkedIn, and Threads are critical for establishing and maintaining networks. Leaders need to ensure that teams have the networking tools to be quickly and efficiently connected.
4. Shared purpose is critical. Having a compelling purpose and direction aligns efforts, energizes participants, and provides a clear direction in a complex environment. Similar to complexity leadership theory (Uhl-Bien & Marion, 2011), network leadership helps to draw people together in collective action and allows them to move forward in the complex and ever-changing world. The leader’s role is to focus constantly on shared purpose and to communicate that.
5. Organizations are decentralizing, making networks more important. Agile teams and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) are examples of how the hierarchical organizational structure of the past is changing. These decentralized organizations, and the networks created, encourage innovation.

Ultimately, the leader’s task is to enable important networks to lead themselves. Network leadership challenges leaders and organizations to move away from traditional hierarchies and linear thinking and to embrace the dynamic and interconnected realities of today. Rather than being the main decision-makers, leaders now need to think of themselves as enablers of “living, breathing, networks” of people who are working together for a shared purpose to achieve extraordinary outcomes.