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.
- Develop high-trust relationships
- Focus on ambitious student learning goals linked to measurable outcomes
- Continuous improvement of instruction
- Deliberate leadership and skilled facilitation
- Frequent interacting and learning inwards
- Connect outward to learn from others
- Form new partnerships among students, teachers and families
- 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.