In Spain, they have a saying; ‘El ‘no’, ya lo tienes’ which translates roughly as ‘The ‘no’, you already have’. 

Meaning that you might not get the thing you wanted, but you rarely end up worse off as a result of asking.

The most impactful disability ERG/network leaders know that they can positively impact everything in their world by making connections and taking action. 

Take the leadership team of Salesforce’s disability Equality Group as an example. Abilityforce started advocating for a dedicated global accessibility department as a way for the company to develop a strategic, consistent and company-wide approach to embedding disability inclusion. 

Tom Frantz, Senior Manager of Accessibility Partnerships and PR at Salesforce summarises the impact of Abilityforce’s advocacy:

“The Office of Accessibility wouldn't be here without Abilityforce. An Equality Group working with the business to drive the creation of something that’s here to stay and help the community long-term is the most powerful example of ERG impact I’ve seen in my career.” 

Master the art of Networkology 

Making great things happen (like a global office of accessibility) in a voluntary role and on a topic that isn’t always a priority for well-intentioned but busy colleagues is hard work. 

It requires huge skill. 

At PurpleSpace, we call that skill Networkology. Since PurpleSpace invented the term, ‘Networkology’ has become known as the art and science of running a high impact disability ERG/Network. It has had a powerful worldwide impact on driving the next phase of cultural change within organisations

The Art refers to human skills and includes skills such as ‘selling’ a concept, engaging positively with people, negotiating and sharing difficult information to those who are resistant to changing how they view human potential and fairness.

The Science refers to the mechanics of running an ERG/Network. For example, governance, strategy, identifying and working with stakeholders

This month, we invite you to consider how access to generic external guidance or in house learning about how to build impactful ERG/Networks can be enriched by:

• Building your leadership capacity 
• Developing your understanding of the political, economic, cultural and social phycological aspects of living with disability 
• Being better connected to other disability ERG/Network leaders.

Peer Leadership Roundtables

One of the most valuable aspects of PurpleSpace membership is the opportunity to build your leadership capacity via quality conversation with other disability ERG/Network leaders.

Each month we convene groups of disability ERG/Network leaders to stimulate discussion on the issues that matter most to our members.

Connect with your peers during these interactive one-hour sessions for disability ERG/Network leaders. These sessions are a great way to share good practice and challenges, swap ideas and build your ERG/Network leadership capacity. 

We have two sessions to choose from to explore the power of a direct ask:

• 2 November 08:00 – 09:00 GMT (19:00 – 20:00 ACT)

• 22 November 16:00 – 17:00 GMT (11:00 – 12:00 AST)

Australia and New Zealand Peer Group

On the 7th of November, we reconvene our community of disability ERG/Network leaders in Australia and New Zealand to explore this month’s leadership theme.

Time.

• 16:30 - 17:30 ACDT
• 17:00 - 18:00 AEDT
• 14:00 - 15:00 AWST
• 19:00 - 20:00 NZDT

Sign up here. 

Resources and Recommendations 

Tap into our Networkology know-how and check out some of the external learning that links into this leadership lesson:

• In The Chair: A collection of top tips when creating and maintaining successful ERGs/Networks.
• 9 Top Tips in Disability Network/Resource Group Leadership: In this briefing Kate Nash, PurpleSpace CEO, imparts what she has learnt about great leaders working in disability rights – which can be applied to ERG/Network leadership.
• Spotlight On.....Darren Rowan, Eli Lilly. In this interview, Darren talks about the leadership traits he leans into as a Global ERG leader, such as authenticity, creativity, resilience, having a global mindset and being diplomatic, whilst maintaining a sense of humour.
• Spotlight On.... Belinda May, Dentons. Co-chair of Dentons' Differently Abled Affinity Group, Belinda May discusses the skills she has acquired through leading an ERG and shares her top tips for ERG leaders.