Networks, Complexity, and Relatedness

Networks, Complexity, and Relatedness
Inquiry and learning into social networks, organizational network analysis, and the relationships among people and systems in complex organizations and networks.

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Jean Baker Miller and Relational Thinking

Jean Baker Miller died on July 29. I had just blogged about my connection with her on July 17.
As I slog through the completion of Net Work, her passing reminded me of where this work of mine began. I received a letter thanking me for making a contribution to the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute.
The letter includes a reminder of how much research she inspired into the impact of a relational view of the world:

She strongly believed in the power of connection to change people's lives, bringing about creativity, courage, and community in the place of isolation.

On July 17th, I was thinking of the theme "men and woman are different" in a note about BlogHer. What Jean's work suggested is that one of the reasons men and women are different is that women tend to have a more relational view of the world and are more likely to bring this view into work -- and play a role of tending to and managing relationships.

That was twenty years ago. The relational view (aka the network view) now represents a major element in management thinking, thanks (perhaps?) to the availability of tools that make relationships visible.

posted by Patti | permalink (click to comment)

Comments: Post a Comment

patti anklam. How to make networks work.

Find me person-to-person !

KMWorld 2008 September 23-25, San Jose, CA. I'll be doing a session on Net Work and moderating a day with KM thought leaders.

links: network analysis

My ONA Page

Rob Cross
Bruce Hoppe
Valdis Krebs
INSNA
ONA-prac. The online community for learners and practitioners in the emerging field of Organizational Network Analysis.

links: blogroll

21st Century Organization
Anecdote
Bill Ives
Dave Snowden
David Gurteen
Denham Grey
Jack Vinson
Patrick Lambe
Ross Dawson