Networks of Meaning
Over 15 years ago when my husband joined the Young President’s Organization, I became intrigued by the small group he was a part of, called Forum and how this model built a trusted circle of advisors for him.
After I saw how the collective helped him focus and grow, I wanted what he was having.
While my circles of friends were robust from various stages of my life: university, graduate school, and early career, moving to a new city with a young family required an intentionality about building my new network.
At the time in my life, I was also reeling from the loss of a dear friend who was in my “network” of friends that traversed early career into young motherhood. The grieving and healing following that sudden loss, ended up sealing some very deep and meaningful connections among her friends and created a new network of meaning devoted to securing her legacy.
But in the midst of that loss, our family had moved geographically and that meant I needed to figure out a new way of building a meaningful network.
Along with another spouse/partner in YPO we worked to set up our own forum. For over 15 years that group, with its structure, process and commitment to trust built on the foundation of confidentiality, helped me to gain perspective and most important, to grow and develop. Since then I’ve organically re-created my own version of forum with members of the YPO community around the world.
I call it my network of meaning - a collective connection made to help the individuals grow develop and learn how to be in the world.
The principles and process of that structured network of meaning has helped me to build multiple networks of meaning in my own life. For me that now includes the Board and community of JWI. And I’ve recently joined a virtual network of kindness, support, and energy, called the li.st filled with powerful women in entrepreneurship and media.
In my work as a coach and facilitator I work to create networks of meaning in companies, teams and cohorts that are brought together with a shared vision: to make deep connections that will help the collective grow and transform.
As long as you build the network with intention and commitment and ascribe to a core set of your own values and shared values you can make a network of meaning that fills your life with purpose and connection.
Here’s my ABC’s to build your own networks of meaning:
Align – Make sure the network you build is aligned with your values – diversity is a key to growth, but the underlying values are about the humanity of the members of the collective. Those core values will help you embrace divergent points of view knowing that at the core there is alignment with what is truly important.
Build – It’s important to make individual connections to build the collective connection. Recognize that a vibrant collective is made up of individuals who are as different as they are aligned. Embrace that and dive into individual connections with the same intention – it will ultimately strengthen the collective. A network of meaning is built one connection at a time.
Commit – Building a network of meaning takes time and attention - showing up is required. It could be as simple as a text or a monthly time commitment. But being there is required to build a network of meaning and to ensure the growth and development of all the members.
Facilitating Networks of Meaning
We all need networks of meaning right now as we traverse the challenges our world is facing. For me cultivating those networks aligns with my purpose – to share my energy with the world. Networks of meaning are the rocket fuel that spark connections that can impact and transform the world.
Outlaw Leadership™ grows when we build networks of meaning
I’m an Outlaw Leader™– are you?