1. COLLABORATE TO INNOVATE
THE POWER OF BOUNDARY SPANNING NETWORKS AT JUNIPER
Chris Ernst, Ph.D.

2. 2
Copyright © 2012 Juniper Networks, Inc.
JUNIPER NETWORKS CONFIDENTIAL

3. How important is it for you to work effectively
across boundaries?
2009 CCL Boundary Spanning study with 128 senior executives

4. The paradox
“In a networked world,
working across
boundaries is the new
and critical work of
leadership.”
-Chris Ernst and Donna Chrobot-Mason

5. What
are boundary spanning
networks?
Why
do they matter?
How
to span boundaries in
networked
organizations?
So What
are the implications?

6. What
are boundary spanning
networks?
Why
do they matter?
How
to span boundaries in
networked
organizations?
So What
are the implications?

7. Boundary spanning
©2010 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.

8. The Innovation Challenge
Accelerating innovation through boundary spanning networks

9. What
are boundary spanning
networks?
Why
do they matter?
How
to span boundaries in
networked
organizations?
So What
are the implications?

10. The 5 boundaries of organizations
Vertical
Stakeholder
Horizontal
©2011 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.
Geographic
Demographic

11. Innovation today requires spanning
five boundaries
72 out of 85 people (85%) completed the Innovation Challenge social network survey.

12. Geographical Network
Outside Sunnyvale
Inside Sunnyvale
Individuals at the
headquarters (HQ) location
have larger networks,
averaging 24 known
contacts. Non-headquarters
(Non-HQ) employees
average 16 known contacts.
Individuals within HQ interact
most frequently with others
inside of HQ, while those
outside of HQ interact with
individuals both inside and
outside of HQ.

13. Vertical Network
Average contacts increased at higher levels
―
―
―
―
―
Manager – 10.6
Director – 13.9
Senior Director – 18.3
Vice President – 27.7
Executive – 43.0
The network is hierarchical, with interaction
flowing upward
Information
Seekers
Information Providers
Levels of Collaboration
Average to slightly above
expected
Higher than expected
Significantly higher than expected
Below expected
Significantly lower than
expected

14. Horizontal Network
Among the two groups, 49% of Engineering’s incoming relationships are with Sales. Only 21% of Sales’
incoming relationships are with Engineering. Both groups have less than expected levels of
collaboration with each other.

15. What
are boundary spanning
networks?
Why
do they matter?
How
to span boundaries in
networked
organizations?
So What
are the implications?

16. The six practices for spanning
boundaries in networked organizations
BUFFERING
CONNECTING
WEAVING
define boundaries
link boundaries
intersect boundaries
REFLECTING
MOBILIZING
TRANSFORMING
understand boundaries
reframe boundaries
reimagine boundaries
©2011 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.

17. Tactic #1
Design the Right Environment

18. Tactic #2
Explore New Perspectives

19. Tactic #3
Engage Experts Wisely

20. Tactic #4
Mix Informal Networks and Formal Hierarchy

21. Tactic #5
Activate Four Network Roles
Connectors
Brokers
Experts
Energizers

22. What
are boundary spanning
networks?
Why
do they matter?
How
to span boundaries in
networked
organizations?
So What
are the implications?

23. Network Feedback
Score
Topic
95%
Rated experience “Very Good” overall.
98%
Rated it as a worthwhile investment of their time.
100%
Agreed they were better connected to their colleagues.
100%
Agreed they were better positioned to have different conversations with their
customers.
100%
Agreed they are engaged and excited to be part of Juniper's future.
“Fantastic way to break down barriers, build relationships, create new thinking and inspire Team
Juniper.”
“The energy and enthusiasm in the team was absolutely infectious. The best experience I've had
in my 8 years at Juniper.”
“Best way to create, capture and deliver value!!”
“A very challenging experience which pushed boundaries. I learned a lot and found out more
about myself.”

24. BOUNDARIES
bound⋅a⋅ry
1. Something that indicates bounds or limits;
a border or bounding line
©2011Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.

25. FRONTIERS
bound⋅a⋅ry
2. Also called frontier. The location of the
most advanced or newest activity in an
area.
©2011 Center for Creative Leadership. All Rights Reserved.