Weaving connections and exchanges by
Found this morning on Network Weaver:
Over the past few years, I have been increasingly influenced by the concept of “weaving” — what for me means connecting people, ideas, and projects to foster more collaborative social change.
Weaving is a skill, a mindset, and a way of being. More art than science, it requires deep listening, being responsive to interests and needs, and “sensing” opportunities to bring people or projects together.
Nice post on a set of practical strategies for increasing connections and exchanges at work. One of the more powerful ways to shift patterns in complex systems and catalyze new behaviours is to work with the constraints you can get your hands on. For folks without a lot of power or authority in a system, weaving – a lovely generative image, by the way – offers ways to do this.
My friend Richard Merrick sent me a link to your post. We spent a couple of hours earlier this morning talking about this very thing. Your weaving metaphor deepens the insight that networks, conversation, relationship-building, and community need to flourish. I’m in the midst of a long series of long-form posts about networks, with a mini-series within it on conversation. https://edbrenegar.substack.com/p/the-network-of-relationship-series. I’d be interested in having some conversation with you, and maybe brining Richard in as well. Thank you for making a difference that matters.
Cool. Catch me by email to start with.
If there’s ever a time the world needs this skill, it’s now.
This is a very interesting and beautiful metaphor. I can relate it to a few things but what is most on the surface is relating it to the polyvagal system (https://youtu.be/br8-qebjIgs), neuroception, and healing from trauma. How when we feel safe, our nervous systems allow connection (weave) and create containers (relationships) which can support and create more connection.
When we feel safe, this allows us to create bonds and proximity to people and our human experience is optimized.
My friend Teresa Posakony introduced me that that work years ago. I think that’s spot on.