Impact Networks

Create Connection, Spark Collaboration, and Catalyze Systemic Change

By: David Ehrlichman

Narrated by: Tristan Wright

This practical guide shows how to facilitate collaboration among diverse individuals and organizations to navigate complexity and create change in our interconnected world.

The social and environmental challenges we face today are not only complex, they are also systemic and structural and have no obvious solutions. They require diverse combinations of people, organizations, and sectors to coordinate actions and work together even when the way forward is unclear. Even so, collaborative efforts often fail because they attempt to navigate complexity with traditional strategic plans, created by hierarchies that ignore the way people naturally connect.

By embracing a living-systems approach to organizing, impact networks bring people together to build relationships across boundaries; leverage the existing work, skills, and motivations of the group; and make progress amid unpredictable and ever-changing conditions. As a powerful and flexible organizing system that can span regions, organizations, and silos of all kinds, impact networks underlie some of the most impressive and large-scale efforts to create change across the globe.

David Ehrlichman draws on his experience as a network builder; interviews with dozens of network leaders; and insights from the fields of network science, community building, and systems thinking to provide a clear process for creating and developing impact networks. Given the increasing complexity of our society and the issues we face, our ability to form, grow, and work through networks has never been more essential.

©2021 David Ehrlichman (P)2021 David Ehrlichman

Celebrating the Success of our Bookclub

I am the Baton Rouge Area Youth Network (BRAYN) coordinator, committed to equipping high-quality youth programs in the East Baton Rouge Parish for young people. We organized a book club among our members to read Impact Networks, and our members finished the book feeling inspired and motivated. This book answers our questions with clarity and passion and sparked new ideas and discussions that will continue to resonate within our community.

The impact of this book is already evident in how our participants think about and approach their efforts within the Baton Rouge Area Youth Network. Its guidance is helping us shape a more robust, more connected network that will better serve the youth in our community.

Thank you for your time, generosity, and commitment to fostering impactful networks. Your contributions have made a lasting impression on us all, and we are excited to continue building on the knowledge and inspiration you've provided.

Very informative

Excellent overview with intellectual weight about networks and how they function best to accomplish something. If you’re new to the concept of impact networks, this should be on your list!

Own two copies

I’ve read this book several times over the years and continue to find it incredibly valuable. I first listened to it on Audible and enjoyed it so much that I purchased the Kindle version. Each time I return to it, I discover new ideas for my work as a nurse educator. We’ve been using Impact Networks on our campus for several years now, and it has truly strengthened our approach to collaboration and higher education initiatives.

Brilliant content and transferable principles!

This book was timely and extremely pertinent for me. I’m a part of a city gospel movement called For Columbus (Ohio) which is built upon relationships of trust and a ecosystem of dynamic networks. Impact Networks was a gem for the work we do. Brilliant content and transferable principles!

Too Politically Biased

The author is exposes a liberal bias throughout. This bias distracts from any benefit the remaining content could provide