Mission + Trust + Humility + Node = A Network Mindset

**Warning** This blog may cause deeper-level thinking and possibly new realities. Read at your own risk.

As a fairly regular Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) reader, I expected to breeze through the recently published piece, "Cracking the Network Code."

Not.

The executive summary was chock-full of useful information requiring that I read it s-l-o-w-l-y. It took three readings for full absorption.

Many GEO devotees rely on the organization to challenge conventional wisdom—and this publication does not disappoint.

“Mastering collaboration is the most important opportunity to close the gap between achieving pretty good performance and full potential.” (Nonprofit Leader)

GEO’s hypothesis is from a funder’s perspective—four principles to embrace as a platform for successful networks. They are all good and all spot on. In my humble opinion, the principles also apply to community benefit organizations.

The Patterson Foundation is aligned with GEO on these principles, and I regularly weave them into the work I undertake with CBOs.

1. Mission, rather than organization

2. Trust, rather than control

3. Humility, rather than brand

4. Node, rather than hub

I'll leave it to my savvy followers to read the executive summary and provide comments! Are you applying these principles to your work? Tell us how.