Impact Networks: Create Connection, Spark Collaboration, and Catalyze Systemic Change

by David Ehrlichman

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.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Leadership, Psychology, Social Justice, Science, Technology

264 pages, Paperback

Published October 12, 2021

About the author

David Ehrlichman is author of Impact Networks: Create Connection, Spark Collaboration, and Catalyze Systemic Change (impactnetworks.xyz) and a producer of the Impact Networks documentary.

From 2013-2023 David was cofounder and coordinator of Converge (converge.net), a network of practitioners who build and support impact networks. From 2022-2025 he was cofounder of Hats Protocol (hatsprotocol.xyz), working to create open-source software for decentralized organizing. He now serves as an advisor to a variety of networks at various stages of their development, and to organizations seeking to apply a network approach to grow their impact.

David has helped form dozens of multi-stakeholder collaborations in a variety of fields, and was a founding coordinator for networks in the fields of environmental stewardship, economic mobility, access to science, civic revitalization, and open-source software development.

He also speaks frequently at conferences, universities, and at network or organizational events to introduce participants to the power of networks. Find his podcasts, writings, and other projects at www.davidehrlichman.com.

Reviews

[Jennifer Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for work to help develop my understanding and capacity for network leadership. It’s a good introductory book with some helpful ideas, but I found myself wishing for a little more depth and clarity in some areas. Overall, quite helpful though.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Ehrlichman’s new book is called Impact Networks: Create Connection, Spark Collaboration, and Catalyze Systemic Change. Like the succinct, fluid title would suggest, the book is a thinking man’s approach to creating ideal communicative techniques. It’s an interesting approach, and not one I have seen before. Ehrlichman isn’t interested in emotionality, which one could argue is one of the key ingredients in social interaction, and the titular ‘networking’ process between individuals. That’s not to say Erlichman can’t articulate effectively on said emotionality, it’s just that the way his articulation is voiced has a colder, more clinical touch. It’s decidedly removed, looking at human interaction almost like a distinct set of complex, mathematical-like equations and predictions. “Networks are all around you, whether you are aware of them or not,” he writes in the book’s introduction. He continues, “Networks have been around forever. But only recently have we been able to draw on a variety of fields—including network science, community building, systems thinking, and organizational development—and a range of collaborative software tools to intentionally create networks not just for social connection but also for collective action. Not only are networks the organic social structures that we naturally form; they can be cultivated to accelerate learning, spark collaboration, and catalyze systemic change.”

While the book’s targeted audience likely is business professionals, there’s a little something for everyone within the read. At the end of the day, the core facets of what Ehrlichman advocates for are somewhat universal. There’s a sense that whether or not you’re a burgeoning young professional, a jaded veteran executive, or just a gentleman on the street, the corporate philosophies within Impact Networks can help you improve in terms of your performativity not just across workplace, but personal milieus as well. In the spirit of this, Ehrlichman writes, “This book is for all those who recognize the need to work together more than ever before, for those who are addressing issues bigger than any individual or organization can solve on its own, and for changemakers who are looking for ways to collaborate across a diversity of stakeholders to navigate the wicked challenges of our time.” He adds, “This book is also for anyone who is curious about, participating in, or leading collaborative networks, including those who coordinate, weave, and facilitate networks; those who fund and support networks; and all those who work in collaboration with others to get things done…the network approach to collaboration is profoundly different from the command-and-control approaches seen in many organizations. Likewise, the form of leadership required to guide networks is substantially different from the autocratic forms of leadership that remain prevalent throughout the world. If you are supporting or working with a constellation of actors to address complex issues and advance common goals, this book is for you.”

It’s through this ability, by being removed, that Ehrlichman instills a sense of confidence in the reader. He may lack a literary bedside manner, but no doubt he knows of what he speaks…

[Elsbeth Kwant]

It is so wonderful when somebody actually finds words for things you have been working and wrestling with for years. This book tells a wonderful story of how networks of organisations can achieve more together than alone.

[Quinn McHugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview, lacks depth in some areas

Impact Networks provides a great overview of how to to build and sustain impact networks and contains many useful insights on what great network facilitation looks like. I'm eager to explore the resources provided on https://www.converge.net/trainings#to... and apply some of the insights learned in this book towards my own network building aspirations.

My impression is that this is a fairly introductory book, but I would've liked if this book went deeper into the concrete details of some aspects of network creation and stewardship. Topics like acquiring funding or incentivizing inter-organizational collaboration weren't very well addressed.

Overall, this was an insightful read into the world of network building and while a bit shallow at times, was well worth my time.

[Paula R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written and practical guide to forming or revitalizing an impact network -- a network that is intentionally created to help people/groups come together to collaborate around a shared purpose. Highly recommended for purpose-driven leaders!

[Jate Saitthiti]

The author refers to many case studies in this book under the concept "The purpose of network".

[Mel R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever started reading a book and as you are reading, are making all kinds of connections to other books you've read and wondering if you were meant to find and read this book? When the book started off with a quote from Octavia E. Butler's "Parable of the Sower", I must admit that I found it a strange coincidence. I had just finished reading the book and the quote was still fresh in my mind. I nearly fell off my chair when in Chapter 1 there was a reference to Suzanne Simard's "Finding the Mother Tree", another book recently read, and the comparison to networks in nature and those that we create. Needless to say, very early into the book I was hooked and felt pretty certain the book would live up to the subheading "Create connection, spark collaboration and catalyze systemic change".

Ehrlichman defines networks as “webs of relationships connecting people or things. When they seek to address social and environmental issues, they are called impact networks.“ Impact networks preoccupy themselves with the following types of activities:

1) Clarify purpose and principles
2) Convene the people
3) Cultivate trust
4) Coordinate actions
5) Collaborate for systems change

I enjoyed the story about self-organization and how the Occupy Wall Street movement ended up pivoting and starting an Occupy Sandy movement to help residents after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. It was so interesting to read that they were so well organized and effective in distributing resources that the American Red Cross ended up delivering supplies to them. Reading the book and the stories it contained, filled me with hope. Hope that even in challenging situations where historically people and/or organizations have not gotten along or been able to collaborate, that this might be possible with some remarkable facilitation and a framework.

What left an indelible mark on me was Ehrlichman's approach and attention to the fact that there are power imbalances as well as systems of oppression and systemic racism that must be recognized and addressed as part of the work of impact networks. I appreciated the way he brought awareness to this in essentially every chapter of the book and that it was done with humility, a commitment to learning and a desire to work towards a world that works for all.

If like me, you are looking for ways to spark collaboration and create bold and lasting change that involves many people and groups working together then this book will surely help inspire you.

[Jasmin Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Donn Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not convinced a book was the right format for its message. In a way, the book felt like it would have been better served as a Wikipage of sorts -- in my mind I visualised this book as a "root node", branching out into topics that you'd read if applicable and ignore if not, and that could have borrowed on the expertise of others as opposed to coming from the authors themselves.

Overall I was left with a feeling of "so what"? Perhaps if I was in the thick of network creation or participation it'd have done more, but I'm not and what I most took away from it was the concept of leadership without hierarchies, the theory of emergence and emergent leadership, and the metaphor of cultivating a network like a garden (which happened to be top of mind as I happened to be reading concurrently "The Well Gardened Mind", by Sue Stuart-Smith).

[David Fredh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provide really really really good and valuable practical guides for facilitating collaboration in the world, and a framework to handle complex collaboration in for example non-profits and areas where we need to go beyond the traditional matrix/hierarchical thinking and move towards scaled and more resilient way to make a difference, impact larger systems and create organical change.

It all is centered around the logical and simple fact that people needs to work together, have a common purpose and way to work together. Impact networks provide valuable tools and methods to make this happen and drive change

[Simon Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your looking to change something in your community this is a great place to start.

Many of societies problems are too big for one organisation let alone one person to solve. This book helps you understand how networks function, how you might nurture one and how to to avoid duplication and instead foster collaboration snd network weaving and measurement.

My biggest takeaway is that you might find it possible to achieve bigger goals then you thought possible by creating a network instead of doing the actual work others are already doing. Just create the links and allow natural co-operation to flourish... its what humans do best.

[CHANCE · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book lays the framework of networks out quite well. Structured most like a piece of academia, this book rarely strays from offering little more than definitions and supporting context.

While not actionable, Impact Networks enables a network of people to full visualize, grasp, and communicate their personal nuances when part of a network.

To this though, as a slight diversion Chapter 9 and 10 discuss practices of network leadership that are often ignored. If you were to read any pages, read Chapter 9.

[Vincent V · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare book that distills a new way of thinking about the world. Far more agile in it's form than normal viewpoint, i.e. start a business; this one sees success as a byproduct of a network created for a purpose and out of that might something like a business emerge. Only as a natural byproduct. Albeit this is only one way of seeing networking; also thinking in brain is networking and so is connection to yourself. So is also understanding the world, just "networking" and thus might some more general rule of networking be found?

[Christina Wissman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was more of a micro networking book (either for personal networking or a business context with a small team). However, it definitely goes more macro at points highlighting how to network for causes like land management or public health initiatives. The book also provides a lot of resources for you to use which is why I give it a bonus star above 3.

Still a good book but it didn’t blow me away personally. I listened to the audiobook which was a good audio quality and was short (about 6 hours on 1.1x).

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Impact Networks makes complexity, systems thinking, and network theory feel approachable and inspiring. Ehrlichman has a gift for turning what could be dense theory into clear, practical wisdom.

It’s already influencing how I think about the two networks my team and I are working to catalyse in the animal freedom movement. Highly recommended for anyone working on ambitious, transformative change.

[Erica Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. My team and I have been using Impact Networks on our campus for several years now, and it has truly strengthened our approach to collaboration and higher education initiatives.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to not read business books, books about organizational behavior, etc. This book aligned with a set of ideas I have about my specific (niche) sector of work life, and it is a good resource for me in that context. The first half, especially, outlines the "why" of impact networks, with the rest of the book devoted to the "how." Clear, simple, direct. Useful.

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book! It is a source of guidance to "how to do it" and an inspiration. Useful for someone as myself, working in academia and also creating a social enterprise focussed on the creation of communities and networks for social problems solving (www.deforafora.com). Thank you David for your sharing!

[Beth Huber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for personal professional development as I am in systems work. I enjoyed the layout of the book, the online toolkit and practicaliy. I will revisit the chapters as my team moves through strategic planning. I gave it four starts as I felt some of the graphics were difficult to interpret and feel it may have been easier in color.

[Dr. Tathagat Varma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the wide body of knowledge around impact networks. The book does a great job of bringing core ideas together in an easy to understand manner and shares the key focus areas required for building impact networks. Highly recommend for anyone looking to build such networks, and this is also applicable to large companies.

[Arun Narayanaswamy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has so many good reviews and I thought it would have deep content. At most this talks about simple networking aspects and no research at all. Got bugged as this doesn’t hook you to the topic at all.

[Meredith Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. This book can be pretty technical and it was hard to just listen to the audiobook without seeing the diagrams referenced. I think it will a be helpful in building out networks and collaborating with other organizations.

[Jessica C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read book for practitioners starting and leading impact networks!

[Olivia Finlayson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Quick reads, like the connections part.

[Sam Rye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful round up of a fair few books that came before it, with some additional tools for new practitioners to work with.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical and readable guide to building networks for social change

[Samantha Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring read for anyone who's work is related to network leadership or Civic Engagement:)

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for work

[Marianna (MJ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

PGI aligned, notes in Zotero

[Marcin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic introduction to impact networks and (social) networks thinking in general as an inportant tool for creating change that targets large and complex issues.