When It Comes to Making Change Happen, the 3% Matter Most
When it comes to making change happen, peer-to-peer (informal) influence is generally more powerful than the influence that comes from position (formal authority). Informal networks hold the sense-making power throughout an organisation, not senior leader-centric change.
This graphic from Innovisor, based on algorithmic applications with multiple organisations across many sectors, demonstrates this:
- Formal leaders – typically ~12% of a population – impact 45–50% of people.
- The most influential informal leaders – typically ~3% – impact 85–90% of people.
This “3%” group of informal influencers will make or break change & improvement initiatives. Most senior leaders do not know who these influencers are.
As leaders of change, we need to:
- Build approaches to change that embrace both formal & informal sources of influence.
- Identify informal networks & informal influencers (your 3%).
- Engage them authentically in change & make sure the change makes sense to them.
- Build a relationship with them for the long haul (the most powerful influence is through relationships).
- Influence others by being perceived as sympathetic, trustworthy & competent.
Further reading from Innovisor
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- Whitepaper: “The 3% That Make Your Change Viral” (paid)
- Earlier explainer (free): Overview of the 3%
- Seminar recording: How to find & activate the 3% Via
Next step: Want help mapping your organisation’s informal influencers and activating them in a live initiative? Book a discovery call and we’ll share a fast diagnostic approach.