The latest edition of "What We're Reading" introduces a new format -- conversational exploration -- in this instance, me and Ben Roberts dialoguing on two recently published books we've read. I read "Collective Power" by Ted Rau, and Ben read "Activating the Common Good" by Peter Block. You can watch the video here https://lnkd.in/efvYCve8 and read the transcript here https://lnkd.in/eyU6yMW9 Ben & I find convergence between Rau's focus on?power-under, which I've been aware of for about a decade?(I first heard of it at a talk by Pagan activist Star Starhawk, referencing the dissertation / book by Steven Wineman) and Block’s critique of?bottom-up?framing, which suggests subservience to top-down approaches (Block's point is that community agency isn't reliant on "leaders" that are typically framed on the "top). We also find overlaps of Rau's notion of?common ground (namely, the establishment of shared understanding of the information necessary for decision-making)?with Block's?notion of common good (which asserts the need to displace business-centered framing as the primary reference point). We've already gotten positive feedback since it came out in our newsletter this morning: "Especially loved the conversation between Bill and Ben!!"
Amazing
Gil Friend
11 个月
Thanks so much for this, Bill and Ben). (I’ve also been diving deep into the realm of speech acts and language action – and the ways that we don’t just use language, but that language uses us – and have been finding great power, and serenity, there. In facts it's a core engine of the coaching and mentoring work I do.) I suspect that “these conversations do not fulfill their promise” because they do not include promises! Goals, intentions, aspirations are all fine things, but they are not commitments. We bring forth worlds through our words, and build our worlds around our commitments.
Neil Davidson
11 个月
You should call these 'Flower Pot Convos'... "Babap Ickle Weed."
Dale Biron
11 个月
Our current problem seems to be a bad story. The mark of a good story is that you cannot "do" it (quite yet) but you cannot forget it either... It would seem to me that "speech acts" like good poems are words that have gotten lucky. Good stories are lucky in this way. Lucky in the sense, they capture our attention and create worlds that we cannot forget. Maybe like this world created by Eliot. “Not known, because not looked for But heard, half-heard, in the stillness Between two waves of the sea. Quick now, here, now, always-- A condition of complete simplicity (Costing not less than everything) And all shall be well and All manner of thing shall be well When the tongues of flames are in-folded Into the crowned knot of fire And the fire and the rose are one.”? ―?TS Eliot PS: We are currently working on "living into" this story, only because it's true.
Gil Friend
11 个月
I've posted a longer response (and exchange with Ben) here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7145782121654018048/?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28activity%3A7145782121654018048%2C7145801279716425728%29&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd%5Fcomment%3A%287145801279716425728%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7145782121654018048%29
Michael Warburton
11 个月
...but might take a look at modern application of the Common Law Public Trust Doctrine for an approach that has worked in crisis management for Centuries....
Jane Fiona Cumming
11 个月
Fantastic thank you for sharing looking forward to diving into the dialogue - especially common ground and common good
Ferananda Ibarra
10 个月
I began reading collective power. Perfect timing. Thank you both!
Vikram Shetty ??
11 个月
Both cover looks very intresting
Regenerative farmer | International permaculture designer and educator | Independent consultant, researcher | TEDx Speaker | Aspire to be a Bioregional Regeneration Leader
11 个月I loved your introductions and reflections to both books and how you "weaved" them together in this conversation!! Much gratitude for sharing this!! I learned a lot!!! ?? ??