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Organizational Network Analysis, Change Management, Organizational Development, Informal Leadership, Business Growth, Leadership Alignment, Employee Engagement, Process Improvement, Collaboration, Future of Work, Leadership & Strategy, Change & Transformation, Employee Engagement & Culture Raspberry Business Solutions Organizational Network Analysis, Change Management, Organizational Development, Informal Leadership, Business Growth, Leadership Alignment, Employee Engagement, Process Improvement, Collaboration, Future of Work, Leadership & Strategy, Change & Transformation, Employee Engagement & Culture Raspberry Business Solutions

Organizational Network Analysis: Mapping Influence for Change

ONA reveals the informal networks of trust and collaboration that drive change. Discover how leaders can use it to identify influencers, reduce bottlenecks, and accelerate adoption.

When leaders think about organizational charts, they picture boxes and lines showing hierarchy. But here’s the truth: real influence in an organization rarely follows those lines.

That’s where Organizational Network Analysis (ONA) comes in. ONA reveals the hidden webs of collaboration, trust, and communication that truly drive results. By mapping who people turn to for advice, support, or innovation, leaders gain visibility into the informal networks shaping performance.

Why ONA Matters Now

In times of disruption or transformation, leaders often underestimate the informal influencers inside their organizations. They rely on positional authority, overlooking the connectors and knowledge brokers who make or break change adoption.

Studies show that change initiatives are 60–70% more successful when informal influencers are engaged early. ONA provides a data-driven way to identify and empower these key players.

The Pain Point Leaders Face

Leaders often assume that influence equals title. But in reality:

  • A mid-level employee may be the trusted go-to person for advice.

  • An informal connector might bridge departments more effectively than formal channels.

  • A hidden bottleneck may slow collaboration, unnoticed on the org chart.

Without visibility into these networks, leaders miss opportunities to accelerate change or worse, encounter resistance they never saw coming.

How ONA Works

Organizational Network Analysis maps the flow of information and relationships across an organization by gathering data through surveys, communication patterns, or digital collaboration tools. It identifies:

  • Connectors — employees who link teams and spread information.

  • Influencers — trusted voices whose opinions sway others.

  • Bottlenecks — individuals or processes that slow communication.

Applying ONA to Change Initiatives

  1. Identify Informal Leaders - ONA highlights who holds trust and influence, regardless of title. These people should be engaged as ambassadors for change.

  2. Strengthen Collaboration Across Silos - By spotting gaps, leaders can bridge disconnected groups and improve cross-functional execution.

  3. Reduce Bottlenecks - Mapping networks reveals where workflows stall. Leaders can redistribute responsibilities to improve efficiency.

  4. Measure Impact of Change - ONA allows leaders to compare networks before and after interventions, showing how trust and communication evolve.

Why This Matters for Growing Businesses

For fast-growing organizations, silos and hidden influencers often emerge quickly. Without visibility, leaders risk misalignment and resistance. ONA equips leaders with the insights needed to design change strategies that stick.

The org chart tells you who’s in charge. ONA tells you who people actually listen to. In the age of disruption, leaders can’t afford to ignore those networks.

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