04 Mar Accelerating Action Through Networks
Susan T. Schuster, Innovation and Leadership Educator & Midwest Regional Field Manager at Wish of a Lifetime from AARP, joins Solveig Brown on the Menttium Matters podcast to discuss how to accelerate action by realizing, celebrating, and nurturing the networks we already have. Susan shares her expertise on networking, social health, and the power of building strong, purposeful connections in both work and life.
Understanding and Mapping Your Network
Susan emphasizes that most people already have a rich network—they just need to recognize and leverage it effectively. When leading workshops, she helps participants:
- Identify their needs – What are they trying to achieve?
- Map their existing networks – Many don’t realize the strength of the relationships they already have.
- Understand their social style – Inspired by Kasley Killam’s work on social health, Susan encourages people to assess the depth and frequency of interactions they need.
Key Insight: Networking isn’t just about attending events; it’s about engaging with the connections you already have in your daily life.
Closing the Triangle: Strengthening Your Network
One of Susan’s favorite concepts in networking is closing the triangle—a principle she learned from June Holley at the Wilder Foundation.
What Is Closing the Triangle?
- If you know two people who don’t know each other, introduce them.
- This strengthens your network and builds a web of support.
- It transforms a passive connection into an active one, fostering collaboration.
Takeaway: Being intentional about introducing and connecting others is a small but impactful way to strengthen your network.
The Power of Curiosity in Networking
Susan believes that curiosity is an essential tool for expanding and deepening networks. She shares a fun personal story about how her family kept meeting people with mutual connections on a road trip, reinforcing the idea that curiosity and openness can lead to meaningful relationships.
Tips for Using Curiosity to Build Your Network:
- Observe your surroundings—notice details like a logo on a hat or a shared interest.
- Ask questions—engage with people and find common ground.
- Be open to unexpected connections—sometimes the most valuable relationships come from unexpected places.
The Roles People Play in a Network
June Holley’s research identifies different roles within a network:
- Network Guardians – Oversee connections and introductions.
- Network Entrepreneurs – Seek to expand and evolve the network.
- Historians – Preserve and share past experiences and insights.
Susan encourages people to identify these roles within their own circles and leverage them to maintain strong relationships.
The Adjacent Possible: Expanding Your Opportunities
Susan introduces the concept of the adjacent possible, which comes from innovation theory. This idea encourages individuals to:
- Think beyond their current reality and imagine new possibilities.
- Recognize that someone in their network likely has the knowledge or resources they need.
- Be proactive in seeking help or offering value to others.
Actionable Step: If there’s something you want but don’t currently have, put it out into your network—you never know who might be able to help.
The Importance of Third Places
A third place is somewhere outside of home and work where people feel known and valued. Examples include:
- A local coffee shop or gym.
- A book club or community organization.
- A volunteer group or hobby-based gathering.
Reflection Question: Do you have a third place where you feel seen and appreciated? If not, what steps can you take to create one?
Practical Steps to Accelerate Action in Your Network
Susan encourages listeners to take small but impactful actions:
- Reflect on your network – Where are you spending your time? What relationships matter most?
- Close a triangle – Introduce two people in your network who could benefit from knowing each other.
- Create a new social opportunity – Start a group based on shared interests (e.g., a book club or quarterly gathering).
- Rekindle old connections – Reach out to a former colleague, classmate, or mentor.
- Identify and engage with a third place – Find or create a space where you feel connected outside of work and home.
Final Thoughts: Carpe Diem – Pluck the Day
Susan’s favorite quote is Carpe Diem, which she interprets not just as “seize the day” but as “pluck the day when the fruit is ripe.” This means:
- Recognizing opportunities that are right in front of you.
- Taking action to nurture relationships rather than letting them slip away.
- Appreciating the value of the networks you’ve already built.
Resources Mentioned
- Kasley Killam’s work on social health – New York Times
- June Holley’s research on network weaving – Learn more
Susan’s insights remind us that networking isn’t just about professional growth—it’s about creating a fulfilling, connected, and purposeful life.
Additional Resources
- Burnett, B., & Evans, D. (2016). Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life. Amazon
- Holley, J. (2012). Network Weaver Handbook: A Guide to Transformational Networks. Network Weaver
- Killam, K. (2024). The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health Is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier. HarperOne
- Killam, K. (2024). 4 Ways to Optimize Your Social Health. Psychology Today
- Liddy, K. (2023). Do You Have a ‘Third Place’? Here’s Why Finding One Is Key for Your Well-Being. Today
- Pearson, C. (2024). Butterfly or Firefly? What’s Your Friendship Style? New York Times
- Schippers, M. C., & Ziegler, N. (2019). Life Crafting as a Way to Find Purpose and Meaning in Life. Frontiers in Psychology
- Snowden, D. (2021). Cynefin®: Weaving Sense-Making into the Fabric of Our World. Cognitive Edge
- Snowden, D. (2022). Estuarine Mapping. Cynefin Blog
- World Health Organization Constitution. WHO
- Zhu, Y. (2013). Individual Behavior: In-Role and Extra-Role. International Journal of Business Administration