Understanding Informal Networks is Essential for Effective Change: Jeppe Hansgaard of Innovisor, Copenhagen, Denmark

Episode notes

For years, I've recognized that the way change happens in organizations is disconnected from the way that executives and senior leaders perceive change to happen. Top down initiatives often fail and employees resist the change, often because the change is done to them, not with them. They can't see themselves reprsented in the story of change. I've been following Jeppe Hansgaard on Linkedin because he's found a mathematical way to identify the 3% of staff who influence the other 90%. The key is informal networks. The change catalysts you need to engage are not the high performers or even the extroverts who dominate meetings. They are often the people no one would ever guess have influence because they have no formal power. They are not at the top of the hierarchy. Did you know if these informal leaders leave, the chance of turnover among the remaining staff rises by 500%? How can you retain these people and reward them for being the glue in the team if you don't even know who they are? Most leaders guess incorrectly when asked to name who owns the influence in the informal networks in their organizations. This mirrors my experience.