Validation Networks

"More business decisions occur over lunch and dinner than at any other time, yet no MBA courses are given on the subject" --Peter Drucker

As leaders we influence and are influenced by those in our networks. The term network is used in the broadest sense. It can be expanded to include co-workers, managers, peers, mentors and anyone you regularly check in with outside your organization. 

These influences can come formally or informally, they can be long conversations, quick calls or even short emails. 

Baked into these influence circles, I have seen over my professional life a notion of what I call the "validation network". 

Simply put, the validation network is the network of people you choose to engage with when validating an idea that needs your support or the folks you talk to when you need to make a decision on strategy or direction and want an opinion outside of your own in strict confidence, by someone you trust. 

As a leader one must be aware of the validation networks of the people around you. The people you need to support and the people you need support from. You should have these mapped out mentally and it should influence the work or proposals you hope to gain their support with. 

If you know the kinds of questions people in their validation network will be asking/probing them when your idea is presented, you will know what questions and issues you need to have covered before you ask for support or decision on a matter.  It saves time and ensures a quality well-thought out request for support or decision in the end.

Everyone has a validation network, they just vary largely in degree and intensity. It is also important to note that a great idea or strong request for someones support may largely come only through their validation network vetting it with them first!

Understanding first the concept of the validation network will help you navigate and garner support through mapping and solving for it up front. 

I have had to navigate some very intense and inspiring (leaders) validation networks myself over the last 10 years or so and these learning's helped me refine my requests for decisions and or supporting a new idea. 

Know the validation networks in your influence circles and you will know how best to navigate your enterprise rapids for decisions and support. 

Stephen Gillett