Why Social Network Perspective Matters with Greg Pryor

Could your network be the key to your career success and organizational growth? In this episode of Workplace Stories, we chat with Greg Pryor, author of the upcoming book, “The Social Capital Imperative.” 

Greg explains how social capital—our connections and relationships—drives business outcomes, sparks innovation, and boosts career growth. With the pandemic reshaping work, he argues that shifting from internal networks to open, cross-functional ones is crucial for success today.Greg shares practical strategies for making network-building accessible to individuals, teams, and organizations.

He highlights how AI and technology can help unlock the potential of networks, focusing on measurable outcomes. His passion for helping organizations harness the power of social networks makes a strong case for why networks matter in the modern workplace.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• How focusing on people and networks—not just technology—drives workplace results [1:00]
• Nine key use cases for network analysis, ranging from career growth to cultural change [2:40]
• How Post Malone’s collaborations illustrate the power of networks in boosting success [9:00]
• How “energizing influencers” like Dolly Parton can spark organizational transformation [14:00]
• How the pandemic shifted networks from open to closed, impacting innovation [29:00]
• Building networks for career growth, even without organizational support [39:20]
• How AI can make network analysis more accessible and actionable [44:18]

Resources & People Mentioned

• The Social Capital Imperative
• Organizational Network Analysis (ONA)
• Amy Edmondson’s work on Psychological Safety
• Rob Cross - network analysis expert
• John Boudreau

Connect with Greg Pryor

• Greg Pryor on LinkedIn

Connect With Red Thread Research

• Website: Red Thread Research
• On LinkedIn
• On Facebook
• On Twitter

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