“NOTHING WORKS WITHOUT A NETWORK”

“NOTHING WORKS WITHOUT A NETWORK?”

“Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour” – Ecclesiastes 4:9(KJV)

I was privileged yesterday (31/01/17) to attend and participate in a Welcome Event for the 2015/2016 Ghana Chevening Scholars at the British High Commission’s premises in Accra, Ghana. The event was a success. It also created a great platform to think through ways for a vibrant and effectual Chevening network, particularly that of Ghana. One statement that has set me thinking since yesterday is “nothing works without a network”. The statement was made by Ken, one of the executives of Ghana Chevening Alumni Network. But is it true that “nothing works without a network?”

I do not know whether Ken is the originator of the statement in question. Whoever the originator may be is not important since it is immaterial to the purpose of this article, except for reference purpose. What is important is the import of the statement. Does the statement suggest that no worthwhile cause could succeed and thrive without a vibrant network? Literally speaking, the statement could at best be described as a half-truth. Why? Firstly, it is possible to achieve the objects of a good cause without a network. Almost all the great innovations and life-transforming feats throughout history were initiated by one person. Although many of them continue to thrive on the shoulders of a critical mass (network of people), others have succeeded without a network. A key example of this is the civil rights cause that was championed by the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. of blessed memory. Secondary, a mere network does not guarantee success; it is an effectual network that does the job!

However, I believe the statement “nothing works without a network” bears a weightier meaning than any literal interpretation one may want to put to it. The statement resonates with Mother Theresa’s adage: individually we achieve little but together we can achieve more (paraphrased).  “Together we can Achieve More” is a true definition of Team Work. This means that an effective team can achieve more results than an individual. “Two,” according to the Bible, “[are] better than one” in terms of output.

Therefore, the statement “nothing works without a network” could also be rendered as nothing works better without than a network (team). It has been said that although it takes a person to initiate a godly cause, that cause needs a critical mass (team) to be sustained and achieve greater results. It takes a fishing-net to harvest a net-breaking fish. A fishing-net comprises individual nets tied and woven together. Team Work thus works like a fishing-net. It effectually coordinates and harness the potential of every team member. Put more elegantly, team work networks all the potential of a group of people connected to a particular cause for a greater and better output. Indeed, nothing works better without an effectual network!

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Daily Wisdom

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