TEACHING NETWORK LEADERSHIP: Using Collaborative Structure and the Remote Associates Test

In this application briefing we describe an inductive learning activity designed for an executive-level leadership development session on leadership networks. We separated participants into nine teams of different sizes and varying access to collaborative networks among the teams. Each team was given the same word association challenge consisting of 25 problems and tasked with getting as many completed and correct as possible. Results showed those with access to collaborative networks were able to complete more of the word association tasks and had more correct word associations. Through this exercise we were able to demonstrate the importance of utilizing social networks for work-related purposes and illustrate the network concepts of isolates, bridges and brokers, and structural holes.