Francesca Gino, Maryam Kouchaki and Tiziana Casciaro recently wrote in the Harvard Business Review that networking is a necessity and a mountain of research shows that professional networks lead to among other things: broader and deeper knowledge, improved capacity to innovate, improved work quality and increased job satisfaction.

As we work to network with community members and district personnel, here are 8 essential ingredients that Fullan and Rincon-Gallardo assert as necessary for effective networks and collaboration.

  1. Develop high-trust relationships
  2. Focus on ambitious student learning goals linked to measurable outcomes
  3. Continuous improvement of instruction
  4. Deliberate leadership and skilled facilitation
  5. Frequent interacting and learning inwards
  6. Connect outward to learn from others
  7. Form new partnerships among students, teachers and families
  8. Secure resources to sustain the work

Collaboration helps the district meet the needs of its students and increases successful partnership opportunities. Fullan and Rincon-Gallardo reported that such efforts pay off. Good networking deepens the learning and engagement of students and adults, enhances the professional capital of teachers and leaders and finally, becomes a positive force of whole system improvement. Good luck with your networking efforts.

Posted by Kim Miller-Smith on 9/6/2022