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Cheryl Esposito welcomes Peter Block award winning author, thought leader, and consultant to corporate, government, and community organizations in the realm of empowerment, stewardship, chosen accountability, & the reconciliation of community. Peter's many books include The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters, an Independent Book Publisher Business Breakthrough Book of the Year; and, Community: The Structure of Belonging. Peter suggests that our major challenge in moving toward a relevant future is to focus on what we can create, rather than what problems we can solve. Instead, he observes, Nothing new gets created by better problem solving or by focusing on low-hanging fruit. No matter how sophisticated we are as a learning organization, if our conversations are limited to measurable outcomes, we are simply getting better at a system, not creating a new future.” Want to know how to do this? Just say yes and join Cheryl & Peter in the conversation!
Today's episode is a result of pondering some of the conversations that I've been observing both in person and online. It seems there are so many opportunities people are choosing to be upset, and consequently choosing to cancel things and people these days. What kind of community is built when people choose to stay in their own silos and echo chambers? Compare that to opportunities to build true community (using Peter Block's definition from his book Community: The Structure of Belonging) when we not only feel we belong, but also feel a sense of ownership in what we're building. I refer, yet again, to The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership and the simplicity of working to stay conscious: Open, Curious, and Committed to Learning as we observe what's happening around us. Wonder, Ponder, and Share your observations. Check out the Enlightened Leadership Lab if you're looking for a place to belong.
Cheryl Esposito welcomes Peter Block award winning author, thought leader, and consultant to corporate, government, and community organizations in the realm of empowerment, stewardship, chosen accountability, & the reconciliation of community. Peter's many books include The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters, an Independent Book Publisher Business Breakthrough Book of the Year; and, Community: The Structure of Belonging. Peter suggests that our major challenge in moving toward a relevant future is to focus on what we can create, rather than what problems we can solve. Instead, he observes, Nothing new gets created by better problem solving or by focusing on low-hanging fruit. No matter how sophisticated we are as a learning organization, if our conversations are limited to measurable outcomes, we are simply getting better at a system, not creating a new future.” Want to know how to do this? Just say yes and join Cheryl & Peter in the conversation!
My guest today is James Rutter, Chief Creative Officer at COOK, the pioneering frozen food company, where he oversees internal and external branding and communications. COOK is a founding UK B Corp, committed to using its business as a force for good in society, and has been ranked in the top 100 Best Companies To Work For every year since 2013. COOK's award-winning frozen meals and puddings (which are desserts, btw) are made by hand in Kent and Somerset, and sold from 98 of its own shops nationwide, in 950 concessions and through its own home delivery service. James joined COOK in 2010 after 15 years as a financial journalist and editor, and he speaks and writes regularly about purpose-driven business and brands. You should really follow him on LinkedIn! James and I talk about the glory that is a proper Fish Pie, and about citizenship and participation. James' leadership philosophy for his internal team is grounded in a sense of play and a recognition of community. He shares some of his favorite insights from Peter Block's book, "Community: The Structure of Belonging" and the deep value he's found in working with Jon Alexander on Citizenship and Participation. Jon Alexander is the author of the bestselling book, "Citizens." James references Jon Alexander's Participation Premium Equation in the opening quote. There is so much goodness in this episode! At Minute 27 James shares his community and transformation insights from Peter Block, including the essential idea that a small group, a community, is the fundamental unit of change, especially when that group is grounded in possibility. He also goes to share the impact that Block's ideas of Inversion have had on him: As James says, summarizing Block: “It's not the performer who creates the performance, but the audience… And again, in a conversation sense… it's the listener who creates the conversation whereas we often think it's the speaker who creates the conversation… it's the child who creates the parent, not the parent who creates… this is (not) some kind of answer, but… a thought to play with. What if that's the way it works? How would you approach it differently? If the audience creates the performance, then how are you seeking to bring the audience into it? How are you giving them the power?” At Minute 42 we discuss the importance of Connection over content: “...you've got to seek to build the human bonds first before you seek to do whatever the worky thing is you want to do.” In essence, we are marinating in Danny Meyer's ideas of an Employee-First workplace, which is why we talk, at the end of the episode, about how Happy Cooks make Happy Food, referencing an earlier conversation we had. And James insisted on talking about my Mom being on the Mike Douglas show with John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Chuck Berry in 1972, hosting a historical cooking segment - this episode is famous because it's the first time John and Chuck met and Played together. You can see A Tiny Video Clip of my mom on TV here (most of them seem to get pulled down). At a crucial moment in the cooking segment, my mother, just 22 and not actually my mother yet (or anyone's!) realized that the studio band was playing chaotic music, and that everyone was in a chaotic space, and she announced that unless we had a calm, peaceful environment, the food would taste chaotic - our intention and our energy would flow into the food. The Host, Mike Douglas, asked the band to play something quieter and more mellow, and John Lennon, assigned to cut cabbage, began reciting the mantra he wanted to suffuse the food: “Rock n Roll…Rock n Roll…Rock n Roll” What do YOU want to suffuse your work with? Head over to theconversationfactory.com/listen for full episode transcripts, links, show notes and more key quotes and ideas. You can also head over there and become a monthly supporter of the show for as little as $8 a month. You'll get complimentary access to exclusive workshops and resources that I only share with this circle of facilitators and leaders. Links James Rutter on LinkedIn Fish Pie Recipes! Peter Block on Community: The Structure of Belonging Jon Alexander's book Citizens Jon's Agency Equation: A Proposal Agency = Purpose + Belonging + Power Agency: the ability to shape the context of one's life Purpose: the belief that there is something beyond your immediate self that matters Belonging: the belief that there is a context to which you matter in turn Power: practical access to genuine opportunities to shape that context Exit, Voice, Loyalty: An essential book on people and organizations Finding flourishing and play at work - inspiration in https://www.punchdrunk.com/work/ Quotes no one said: “Teach Them to Yearn for the Vast and Endless Sea” Via quote investigator: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2015/08/25/sea/ Minimum Viable Transformation Matt LeMay on Agile Conversations Happy Cooks make happy food: On Daniel's Mom being on the Mike Douglas show with John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Chuck Berry Hosting a cooking segment: Context and History! Why this episode is famous - it's the first time John and Chuck met and Played together. A Tiny Video Clip of my mom on TV! (most of them seem to get pulled down)
Have you ever considered the intersection of individual and collective well-being? In this episode, Dr. Cherie is exploring the concept that engaging in community care is a form of radical self-care, including social support, shared resources and responsibilities, cultural and emotional nourishment, reciprocity, and so much more. Resources from this episode: Community: The Structure of Belonging By Peter Block Connect with Dr. Cherie: https://www.instagram.com/drcherie_holisticcoach/ www.instagram.com/passionatestewardshippodcast https://lcconsultingandcoaching.com/ Sign-Up for the Passionate Stewardship Box: https://the-passionate-stewardship-box-64f1fee85eaca.subbly.me/
How does community engagement serve our human needs, improve organizations and transform leadership? Author Peter Block has long been exploring relationships that enable collective action. In this moving conversation, he answers my questions around community building at work, (un)leadership, and about the opportunity we all have to get involved in creating together the future we want. See the show notes on my website for quotes, more info and links. More about Peter:Learn about Peter Block on his Wikipedia pageFind out more on Peter's website PeterBlock.comGet in touch with Designed Learning, Inc. They offer training and consulting in Flawless Consulting and Community: The Structure of Belonging or Leader as Convener.Read/listen to Community: The Structure of Belonging by Peter Block. It is available as an audiobook Watch Peter Block speak about the Six Conversations that matter to build community among citizensWatch this 2018 Weaving Influence webinar about Community with Peter BlockRead any book by Peter Block, you won't waste your time :)Curious to use these ideas in your work? Get in touch with me!Website weneedsocial.com/LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/celineschillingerInstagram instagram.com/dare_to_un_lead/Twitter twitter.com/CelineSchillMastodon https://mastodon.social/@CelineSchillYouTube youtube.com/c/CélineSCHILLINGER Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Many communities undertake a coordinated program of actions and initiatives to strengthen inclusion and reduce disparities. If you want to see that type of results-focused action in your community or are already part of such a program, this episode is for you. This episode is part of our series of discussions where my colleague, Emma Winiski, and I discuss the Practice of Building a More Inclusive Community. We've identified six practice areas. In this episode, we focus on the practice of Program Work.Find a full transcript HERE.Signup for our newsletter: The Inclusive Community.Other Episodes in this Series:The Practice of Building a More Inclusive Community - Intro Part 1The Practice of Building a More Inclusive Community - Intro Part 2First episode in this series, focused on the practice of Self Work: Inclusion Starts Here Interviews That Informed Our Thinking:An interview with Krystal Reyes, Chief Resilience Officer for the city of Tulsa, OK: Tulsa, Where Urban Resilience and Equity Intersect and their Equality Indicators.An interview with Sherri Chisolm and her work at Leading on Opportunity in Charlotte, NC: Achieving Economic Mobility for CharlotteAn interview with Rev. Stacey Mills about the Racial Equity and Economic Mobility program that he leads in Greenville, SC: Getting to Better in My Hometown and their Racial Equity IndexAn interview with Gery Paredes Vásquez, the Director of Racial and Gender Justice at the YWCA Madison, WI: Values-Driven Racial Justice with the YWCAAn interview with Kristy Kumar, Equity and Social Justice Manager for the city of Madison, WI: Finding Joy in Working Toward EquityAn interview with Judith Mowry, Senior Policy Advisor on Equity Strategies and Initiatives for the city of Portland: Toward Equitable Community ServicesAn interview with the MORE Justice Team in Columbia, SC: More Justice Books We Referenced:My bookshop.org link to Community: The Structure of Belonging, by Peter BlockMy bookshop.org link to The Connected Community: Discovering the Health, Wealth, and Power of Neighborhoods, by Cormac Russell and John McKnightAmazon link to Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets, by John P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnightMy bookshop.org link to The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World, by Marty Linsky , Alexander Grashow , and Ronald Heifetz Bio Emma Winiski:Emma Winiski is a recent graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School, where she worked extensively with city governments to address the opioid overdose epidemic and develop 911 alternative response programs. Previously, she was a Research Analyst in the Health Policy Center at the Urban Institute. Emma has been working with Ame at State of Inclusion since 2018 when she was an undergraduate at Furman University.
In season 6 of Ecosystems for Change, we are going to explore the art, craft, and science of telling meaningful stories that have the power to affect change in our communities.I've always enjoyed hearing other people's stories, reading about them, and eventually telling these stories. As I started out helping to develop the ecosystem in Richmond, VA, I also began to understand that storytelling is a powerful tool in any ecosystem builder's toolbox.But once I picked up Peter Block's book, “Community: The Structure of Belonging,” I understood that storytelling could be much more and that it's actually a tool that helps a community create a vision for itself, to dream of a future that might be possible. To me, this following quote sums up his work beautifully:“Stories can give us a narrative to guide and instruct us. They are crucial to our knowing who we are; they provide a sense of identity. […] We need to distinguish between the stories that give meaning to our lives and help us find our voice, and those that limit our possibility.”This season, I'm speaking with other storytellers to learn their tips and tricks of the trade. I hope to uncover how others go about finding and telling meaningful stories that give hope and propel their communities forward. I want to find out exactly what intentions these storytellers have, how they approach storytelling, what their process looks like from beginning to end, and how they make the finances work.As always on this show, my hope is that we can learn from each other, avoid the obvious pitfalls, and as a result become better at what we do: Transform our communities by supporting the changemakers within them.Listen to the full episode to hear: Two examples of the impact of storytelling from my own life Why we need to focus on telling stories of possibility instead of railing against problems How negative narratives keep us stuck The power of positive storytelling to propel change in our communities Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Community: The Structure of Belonging, Peter Block The Space Beyond Scarce: Collaboration and Ecosystem Building for Entrepreneurs and Change Makers with Anika Horn Manifesto for a Moral Revolution: Practices to Build a Better World, Jacqueline Novogratz Shenandoah Community Capital Fund Blog EcoMap Technologies Summer Skill Sessions: Ecosystem Mapping
Cheryl Esposito welcomes Peter Block award winning author, thought leader, and consultant to corporate, government, and community organizations in the realm of empowerment, stewardship, chosen accountability, & the reconciliation of community. Peter's many books include The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters, an Independent Book Publisher Business Breakthrough Book of the Year; and, Community: The Structure of Belonging. Peter suggests that our major challenge in moving toward a relevant future is to focus on what we can create, rather than what problems we can solve. Instead, he observes, Nothing new gets created by better problem solving or by focusing on low-hanging fruit. No matter how sophisticated we are as a learning organization, if our conversations are limited to measurable outcomes, we are simply getting better at a system, not creating a new future.” Want to know how to do this? Just say yes and join Cheryl & Peter in the conversation!
The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and the structure of belonging. The host is Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp. This episode is the Abundant Community Conversation from September 15 where Rabbi Miriam spoke with David Whyte and Peter Block. Abundant Community conversations happen every couple of months on zoom and they always contain poetry, small groups and an exploration of a particular theme. David Whyte's writing explores the timeless relationship of human beings to their world, to creation, to others, and to the end of life itself. He makes his home in the Pacific Northwest, where rain and changeable skies remind him of the other, more distant homes from which he comes: Yorkshire, Wales and Ireland. He has traveled extensively, including working as a guide in the Galapagos and leading trips into the Himalaya; much of his work chronicles a close relationship to landscapes and histories. He speaks to the suffering and joy that accompany revelation, and the necessity of belonging to families, people and places. David Whyte's poetry can be heard in the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, the hallowed halls of educational institutions, and from the stages of literary festivals and theological conferences. In each of these disparate settings, his work and compelling speaking style is moving and relevant, transcending the confines of any individual context.Peter Block is an author, consultant and citizen of Cincinnati, Ohio. His work is about chosen accountability, and the reconciliation of community. Peter is the author of several best selling books including "Community: The Structure of Belonging" and he co-authored "The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods" with John McKnight. His writing is about ways to create workplaces and communities that work for all. They offer an alternative to the patriarchal beliefs that dominate our culture. His work is to bring change into the world through consent and connectedness rather than through mandate and force. He is founder of Designed Learning, a training company that offers workshops designed by Peter to build the skills outlined in his books. Peter serves on the Board of Directors LivePerson, a provider of online engagement solutions, and the Cincinnati Access Fund; he also serves on his local neighborhood council. He is director emeritus of Elementz, an urban arts center in Cincinnati and is on the Advisory Board for the Festival in the Workplace Institute, Bahamas. He was the first Distinguished Consultant-in-Residence at Xavier University. You can visit his websites at peterblock.com, abundantcommunity.com, designedlearning.com, restorecommons.com and asmallgroup.net. He welcomes being contacted at pbi@att.net. He lives with his wife, Cathy Kramer in Cincinnati, and helped raise a bunch of kids.Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp serves as the spiritual leader of Temple Sholom in Cincinnati, Ohio. You can register for the next Abundant Community Conversation on November 15 at 1pm with Jenn Hoos Rothberg here.This episode was produced by Joey Taylor and the music is from Jeff Gorman. You can find more information about the Common Good Collective and the reader here. Common Good Podcast is a production of Bespoken Live & Common Change - Eliminating Personal Economic Isolation.
Nonprofits have the unique opportunity to not only serve community, but to build community among clients, volunteers, staff and beyond. In this episode, our host, MSS Executive Director, Autumn Vest, explores the role of nonprofits in connectedness and belonging with Becky Spurlock, Ph.D, Vice President of Student Affairs for the University of Texas Permian Basin. Join the conversation on how nonprofits can fuel connection. Featured in this episode: University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) Block, P. (2008) Community: The Structure of Belonging Parker, P. (2020) The Art of Gathering
Global Policy Watch #1: The Road Not Taken Insights on policy issues making news around the world— Pranay KotasthaneEast Asian economic success is one of India’s favourite public policy discussion themes. Regardless of the facts, we have strengthened our own beliefs based on that transformation. For instance, many Indians are convinced that South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan became powerhouses through well-executed industrial policies in which governments threw their full weight behind specific domestic sectors and companies. East Asian examples are often used to justify India’s protectionist trade measures, a business environment that places higher compliance requirements on foreign companies, and generous pro-business subsidies. In this debate, we forget the role of two other crucial factors. One, the role of geopolitics. As Arthur Kroeber’s notes in China’s Economy, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan were part of the US alliance structure and benefited immensely from programs of technical assistance, educational exchanges, and access to the American market.Two, what’s more significant is that South Korea’s transformation as an export powerhouse predates industrial policy measures. Like India, South Korea too had a scarce foreign exchange reserves problem. Like India, it too opted initially for trade and monetary policies ostensibly aimed at preserving these reserves. But starting 1964-65, South Korean leaders—nudged by the US—were able to reimagine a future in which their foreign exchange problem was to be ameliorated not by import controls but by increasing exports.To explain the freakish similarities and differences between the paths India and South Korea chose, read these excerpts from an excellent NBER paper From Hermit Kingdom to Miracle on the Han: Policy Decisions that Transformed South Korea into an Export Powerhouse by Douglas A. Irwin. The economic problems of the 1950s South Korea were uncannily similar to India:Korea’s economic policy in the 1950s was built around “the three lows”—low grain prices, low interest rates, and a low price of foreign exchange—and the controls needed to maintain them. Although the controls led to perpetual shortages of grain, capital, and foreign currency, each had a rationale. The government sought low grain prices to keep the cost of living down, relying on grain imports from the United States made available through PL 480 (food assistance) grants. The government maintained interest rate ceilings, ostensibly to help borrowers and promote investment, but negative real interest rates meant there was little incentive to save, diminishing investment and financial development. The government kept the price of foreign exchange artificially low to make imported goods, particularly capital goods, cheaper than they otherwise would have been.The shortage of foreign exchange led the government to introduce import controls to conserve foreign exchange reserves. Import licensing was introduced in 1946 to impede the purchase of nonessential foreign goods. In 1949, the Ministry of Finance began preparing a quarterly foreign exchange budget to determine how export earnings and aid inflows should be allocated in purchasing imports.The overvalued currency had a devastating effect on the country’s merchandise exports, which declined from $40 million in 1953 to just $16 million in 1958, a year in which imports were $370 million.South Korea too had an aborted devaluation attempt in the 1960s. The government devalued the won in two steps… The February 1961 devaluation was made in conjunction with a major reform of the foreign exchange system. The government rationalized the complicated multiple exchange rate system and began to relax import controls, paving the way for a fully unified exchange rate in June of that year.The devaluation increased exports significantly, but caused pain in the short term.In the first two months of 1961, prices rose 15 percent, and industrial production, which depended on cheap imported intermediate goods, fell.21 The devaluation hurt the political fortunes of the deeply divided government, which went through several major cabinet reshuffles during its short period in power and never enjoyed strong public support. The government was widely seen as inept, and public dissatisfaction with the country’s situation led to protests. After renewed political unrest and street demonstrations by students, a military coup overthrew the nine-month-old government on May 16, 1961.Changing tack, the incoming military rulers opted for atmanirbharta:The government envisioned state investment to build up heavy and chemical industries to increase national security and end the country’s dependence on US aid and foreign sources of supply. Given Korea’s enormous trade deficit and tiny export base, the government thought it easier to replace imports by expanding domestic production of those goods rather than to try to make up the gap by exporting more. The plan was to make the country self-reliant in its ability to pay for its imports, but the plans were formulated “without due consideration of Korea’s short supply of capital and technology,”This plan failed as each of these required more foreign exchange, which was the limiting condition. Then came a food crisis.The US also withheld economic aid from Korea, including PL480 food assistance at a time when food was in desperately short supply. In April 1963, Korea agreed to a new stabilization program to reduce the budget deficit, in the hope of bringing inflation under control. The government also agreed to dismantle trade controls and eventually adopt a floating exchange rate. Aid was released, but by July it was clear the government was not living up to the agreement.Things begin to change after elections in 1963. Eventually, the government went ahead with another devaluation, and a slew of decisive policy reforms in 1964-65.In essence, Kim believed that the government would have to get rid of “the three lows”—the low exchange rate, the low-interest rate, and low grain prices—as well as reform the foreign exchange system. The devaluation had already raised the exchange rate; getting rid of low interest rates and low grain prices would be deeply unpopular. Said one leader: "“Eventually, the entire business world will protest the policies. Plus, the National Assemblymen will join them and intelligent media editorialists will criticize the policies . . . it will be very difficult.”The government began promoting slogans such as “exports alone promise a way to economic self-reliance” and “exports as the yardstick to measure the sum of our national strength”The economy started reaping the rewards even before the industrial policy kicked in:“The export success of the 1960s and 1970s was basically due to the removal of impediments to trade, namely, the complicated foreign exchange system and the negative effects on export of the protectionist import policy,” “Once the impediments were removed, the economy began realizing its huge export potential, which had been left unexploited until then."So next time someone sings paeans about South Korea’s industrial policy success, do tell them aap chronology samajhiye.Thank you for reading Anticipating the Unintended. This post is public so feel free to share it.The global outpouring of respect and admiration for Shinzō Abe is proof of his outsized impact on Japan and the world. To put his economic contributions in perspective, here’s an edited version of RSJ’s essay on Abenomics from edition #69.Global Policy Watch #2: Abe Yaar! Lessons From 'Japanification' (From our Archives) Insights on policy issues making news around the world—RSJShinzō Abe, the longest-serving Japanese PM ever, stepped down from office last week. His second term which began in late 2012 was marked by his prescription for reviving the Japanese economy. The world called it Abenomics.Through a mix of unconventional monetary policy, robust fiscal stimulus, and structural reforms to boost growth, Abenomics was seen as a marked departure from the timid response that characterised the previous regimes. Abe was determined to jolt Japan out of the economic morass it had dug itself in for over a quarter-century since 1990. We will discuss Abenomics and what lessons it holds for us in more detail later. But let’s go back to the lost decades of Japan that gave us the pejorative term ‘Japanification’ and understand what happened during that time.Bubble, Bust And No RecoveryJapan was the miracle economy following WW2, benefitting from U.S. largesse in infrastructure spending, government investments in technology and research, a rise in entrepreneurship and an increase in factor productivity for over three decades. Low-interest rates and all-round prosperity in the 80s led to an asset bubble. The stock market and real estate valuations went through the roof on the back of speculations and easy credit policy. There’s an urban legend (or truth?) of three sq. mts. of land near the royal palace being sold at US$ 60,000. That meant the appraisal value of the palace was more than the state of California then. In little over 25 years from 1960, the land value went up by 5000 per cent in Tokyo and other major cities. By the end of 1989, the Nikkei index was at its historic high of 39,000. This was a bubble and like all bubbles, it popped in 1990.Japan hasn’t recovered since. The obvious reasons were discerned immediately. The policy response to the bubble was to increase interest rates and quell speculation. But as the equity market and real estate prices crashed, borrowers who had overleveraged themselves were trapped. A debt crisis soon followed with widespread loan defaults. The contagion now engulfed Japanese banks which were staring at a huge pile of NPAs. The credit dried up, investments fell, and the growth slowed dramatically. The sentiment turned negative and the consumers cut down on spending. This began a deflationary cycle.The Bank of Japan (BoJ) was slow to respond and the deflation spiral set in. Why would you spend today when you know the prices would be lower in future? BoJ began cutting interest rates and brought it below 1 per cent by the mid-90s to spur investment. But these actions weren’t coordinated with a fiscal response. The hike in consumption tax in 1996 meant the further dampening of consumption sentiments. The loan default crisis led to the collapse of three banks in the mid-90s. By 1997, as BoJ and the government were getting their act together, the Asian financial crisis dealt a crippling blow to the economy. This set it back for another three years.What Went Wrong?Krugman in 1998 argued the lost decade of the 90s was because of monetary policy failure. His view was the BoJ should have publicly taken a high inflation target that would have avoided deflation and prevented interest rates from going down to zero. Of course, this is supported by theory. A higher inflation target anchors inflation expectation at a higher number and this increased expectation, in turn, leads to higher inflation because of the forward-looking aspect of the aggregate supply equation. Further, the increase in inflation expectation would reduce the real interest rate because it takes time for the nominal interest rate to reach its long-term level. In the short term, this reduced real interest rate stimulates growth which in turn increases inflation. A kind of a virtuous cycle sets in.Anyway, this wasn’t done by BoJ. The other option was to reduce the interest rate to zero quickly and provide substantial monetary stimulus quickly to check loss in output. A combination of a high inflation target (as suggested by Krugman) and monetary easing policy could have possibly worked.Between 2001-06, the BoJ went on a quantitative easing overdrive purchasing long-term Japanese government bonds. After the global financial crisis of 2008-09, the BoJ extended this programme to purchase private-sector financial assets including corporate bonds, ETFs (therefore equity in private companies), CPs and invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs). This had an impact on financial markets with stock markets rising, a fall in bond yields and an increase in corporate bond issuances. But this expansionary policy came at a cost. The debt to GDP ratio which was around 60 per cent in the 90s went up to 240 per cent by 2012. However, all of these measures didn’t move the needle on inflation. It is possible a higher purchase of private risky assets like corporate bonds and commercial paper instead of government bond would have spurred growth and raised inflation expectations. But that was not to be.Separately, the lack of coordination between monetary and fiscal policies hurt the economy. There were multiple increases in taxes to balance the budget while the monetary policy was working to increase consumption sentiments. Lastly, there was a lack of clear communication to manage expectations among the public about long-term inflation, interest rates or growth. Forward-looking guidance by the central bank on these parameters provides assurance to market participants more so when the financial system is weakened by high NPAs and general risk aversion. A recent example of this was seen when the US Fed indicated it will purchase corporate bonds as part of its stimulus during the pandemic. The planned purchase announcement itself did the trick in raising bond prices before the Fed actually bought a single one of them.Abenomics In PlayShinzo Abe and BoJ Chairman Haruhiko Kuroda assimilated the learnings from the lost quarter-century to formulate the ‘three arrows’ of Abenomics in 2013. The three arrows were:A monetary policy based on a qualitative and quantitative easing (QQE) framework with a 2 per cent inflation target, significant purchase of long-duration government securities and private risky assets, expansion of BoJ balance sheet and upfront guidance on these numbers. BoJ promised to double its monetary base to 54 per cent of the GDP by 2014. A robust fiscal policy that increases absolute government spending on areas like public infrastructure, welfare for its ageing population and servicing the debt. This was to be done in close coordination with the monetary policy actions.Structural reforms to spur growth and private investment. This includes lower corporate tax, increase in participation of women in the labour force, more immigration and acceptance of high-skilled foreign workers, more inbound tourism to Japan and championing of free trade (TTP), lower FDI barriers and global liberal order to counter China.You couldn’t fault their prescription based on what they learned from their past. Abenomics wasn’t a radically new construct but bringing the three arrows together, setting targets for them and then communicating it clearly, indicated Abe meant business. Japan needed to be jolted into a path of recovery and this was the way to do it. The salience of Abenomics grew as more economies, including US and EU, followed the path of QE to stimulate growth and manage financial stability.Did It work?Well, it is a mixed bag. The primary objective of the 3 arrows was to ‘warm up’ the economy to an extent that spurs demand and get the investment cycle going. On that count, it is a mixed bag. It has seen limited success in increasing women's labour force participation, more immigration and in keeping debt to GDP at a near-constant level of 240 per cent (pre-Covid) despite the increase in the monetary base. It’s not an unqualified success. The counterfactual, of course, can be asked. Could Japan be worse off today if not for Abenomics?I think it would.Lessons From AbenomicsSo, what are the lessons learnt from 7 years of Abenomics in Japan? Robin Harding writing for the Financial Times has six lessons from Abenomics for the world struggling with ‘Japanification’. I am paraphrasing below: Monetary policy through the massive purchase of government securities and private assets works. The ‘bazooka’ of 2013 had a positive impact on the Japanese economy – stock markets boomed, credit uptake went up and unemployment fell.Despite the promise of coordinated monetary and fiscal actions, Abe couldn’t keep fiscal hawks down. The rise in consumption tax from 5 to 8 per cent in 2014 worked counter to the efforts in increasing consumption. The economy went into a recession. Another increase last year to 10 per cent had the same impact. Communication and future guidance on targets didn’t materialise. The promised inflation target of 2 per cent was never met and the consumption tax hikes meant the premise of raising expectations and letting it do the heavy lifting in raising inflation didn’t work.Expectations management works if you meet the expectations. Beyond a point, you need to intervene directly to meet your targets. The key commitments of Abenomics were never kept and soon the market stopped responding to the BoJ plans of further easing.Stimulus doesn’t cause an increase in public debt to GDP ratio going up. We have discussed this already. It remained range-bound at 240 per cent.Structural reforms didn’t cut to the key issues confronting Japanese society – an ageing population leading to a fall in total factor productivity, a disappointed younger generation carrying the burden through levies and taxes on income, a strong hierarchical working style stymieing innovation and a reluctance to embrace large scale immigration to get out of this rut (an advantage so far for the US).Course Advertisement: Admissions for the Sept 2022 cohort of Takshashila’s Graduate Certificate in Public Policy programme are now open! Apply by 23rd July for a 10% early bird scholarship. Visit this link to apply.Global Policy Watch #3: How Social Media Expands our Reference Networks Global policy issues relevant to India— Pranay KotasthaneIn edition #173, I argued there are three meta-mechanisms that make social media a powerful instrument: reference network expansion, Overton Window Expansion, and disproportional rewards for extreme content due to information overload.This article generated an interesting conversation on social media (where else!). One of the discussion points was: what are the precise ways through which reference networks expand? Here’s an initial answer.To rewind a bit, our reference network comprises “people whose beliefs and behaviour matter for our behaviour”. Social media expands our reference networks as people worldwide can now instantly and repeatedly influence our perceptions. It’s common to misinterpret reference network expansion as echo chamber-isation. However, there’s something much deeper going on.A reference network expands when an individual associates herself with a new set of individuals. This association could be of two types: comparative and preferential. In the first type, we compare ourselves with others who we imagine to be similar to us. Social media expands the number of people who we can compare ourselves with. In the second, the focal point is our preferences. Our behaviour is determined by the likes and dislikes of others we encounter on social media.In the framework above, I have mapped these associations with likely impacts on our behaviours. It explains to a large extent how even domestic issues have global resonance, and why people are willing to support or hate people they’ve never met outside their social media apps.From this perspective, echo chambers span two kinds of preferential associations (“others like what I like”, and “others hate what I hate”). There are four other mechanisms through which reference network expansion takes place.Are there other ways you have seen reference network expansions happening on social media? Do leave a comment.HomeWorkReading and listening recommendations on public policy matters[Report] State of Discrimination Report by Bhuvana Anand and Sarvnipun Kaur analyses all the state-level legal barriers to women's employment in India. [Book] For those interested in community building, Peter Block’s Community: The Structure of Belonging has excellent insights. The portal abundantcommunity.com too has some handy resources. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit publicpolicy.substack.com
Our guest for the tenth episode of Finding Community is Peter Block, a consultant, trainer, and bestselling author of several books, including “Community: The Structure of Belonging” and “The Abundant Community,” both of which offer a road map and tools to strengthen social bonds and create more resilient neighborhoods, cities, and society. Peter shares with us some insights on the conversations we can have to imagine a more habitable future; why connecting with our local communities is important; and why it is critical to shift from a focus on deficiency to one of abundance.Transcripts available here: https://bit.ly/Ep10_TranscriptsPeter's work is in the restoration of the common good and creating a world that reclaims our humanity from the onslaught of modernism.To find out more, see: www.peterblock.comDesigned Learning, Inc. (www.designedlearning.com) – offers training and consulting in Flawless Consulting and Leader as Convener.Common Good Collective (https://commongood.cc) - an initiative that makes accessible the foundational practices for restoring the common good. Learn more about VAN and our initiatives:https://www.visionactionnetwork.orghttps://www.facebook.com/VisionActionNetwork/https://www.instagram.com/visionactionnetwork/This episode was produced by Glenn Montgomery for Vision Action Network. Our audio editor and music producer was Mandana Khoshnevisan. Music by Choro da Alegria. Post-production by Jenny Moore.
Cheryl Esposito welcomes Peter Block award winning author, thought leader, and consultant to corporate, government, and community organizations in the realm of empowerment, stewardship, chosen accountability, & the reconciliation of community. Peter's many books include The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters, an Independent Book Publisher Business Breakthrough Book of the Year; and, Community: The Structure of Belonging. Peter suggests that our major challenge in moving toward a relevant future is to focus on what we can create, rather than what problems we can solve. Instead, he observes, Nothing new gets created by better problem solving or by focusing on low-hanging fruit. No matter how sophisticated we are as a learning organization, if our conversations are limited to measurable outcomes, we are simply getting better at a system, not creating a new future.” Want to know how to do this? Just say yes and join Cheryl & Peter in the conversation!
THE FUTURE WILL NOT BE TELEVISED!!IT WILL BE PODCASTED!!The Author who was the main inspiration for the tone of this show, in as much as we discuss community and what it means to be a Citizen, is our actual guest today!!Peter Block is a retired Organizational Development Consultant and current Author. His books , "The Answer to How is Yes", and "Community: The Structure of Belonging" basically form the core of what would be this show's Constitution or Declaration of Independence. We discuss acting on what matters most and the transformation available to us in moving away from the dominance of consumer culture.While discussing what matters we comb through a box of unopened Pokémon trading cards that we paid $10,000 for so stay tuned for that, and see if we get a Pikachu!LINKS FROM PETER!!Peter's work is in the restoration of the common good and creating a world that reclaims our humanity from the onslaught of modernism.To find out more, see:www.peterblock.com Designed Learning, Inc. (www.designedlearning.com) – offers training and consulting in Flawless Consulting and Leader as Convener.Common Good Collective (https://commongood.cc) - an initiative that makes accessible the foundational practices for restoring the common good. CARDANO CITIZEN EMAIL!!https://mailchi.mp/291f2405ce50/citizens-of-cardanoWe invite you to belong to what it is we're growing here.Beat Provided By https://freebeats.ioProduced By White HotDisclaimer: Nothing in this show can be constituted as financial advice and none of the participants have any ability to financially advise others in any capacity. The hosts opinion is strictly his own and is probably objectively terrible, dangerous, reprehensible, delusional and deranged. He kept his underwear on the entire time he was on Epstein's Island and doesn't even like Cheerleaders in the first place.For the record, the rest of the majority influence for this show comes from here and here.
Claudette Chenevert, AKA “The Stepmom Coach” works with stepmoms who are striving to create a cohesive family life. She holds a BIS in Psychology of Communication from George Mason University, focusing on stepfamily dynamics and is Certified Coach with Results Coaching System, a neuroscience based program. Claudette helps stepmoms build and create strong and healthy stepfamilies by helping stepmoms focus on what they want as a woman, a partner and a parent. She has over 30 years of experience as a stepmom and 37 years as a mother. She understands what it's like to be in your shoes and teaches the best strategies to make life as a stepmom more harmonious. Claudette offers online support, self-study programs, and one-on-one coaching. She is also an author and writer for Stepmom Magazine as well as the producer and host of The Stepfamily Summit 2021. In this episode, Claudette shares the wisdom and lessons she has learned in over three decades of being a stepmom and working with other stepmoms. "Understanding the power of listening and asking insightful questions is part of creating a cohesive family." "Creating a blended family can be a lot like merging two businesses, hopefully bringing in the best parts of both and creating a third thing together." "Parents need to keep contact with the kids and keep the communication open as much as possible." "Structure and consistency are key for kids." "People are often afraid to ask for help because they don't want to be seen as weak." Website https://www.stepmomcoach.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stepmomcoach Twitter: https://twitter.com/stepmomcoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepmomcoach/ Resources: Stepmom Magazine - https://www.stepmommag.com/ The Stepmom's Book of Boundaries https://stepmomcoach.com/shop/the-stepmom-book-of-boundaries-bundle/ by Claudette Chenevert The Essential Stepmom Podcast https://anchor.fm/essentialstepmom Stepfamily Summit 2021 https://thestepfamilysummit.com/ Stepmom Coaching https://stepmomcoach.com/ Community: The Structure of Belonging by Peter Block https://www.amazon.com/Community-Structure-Belonging-Peter-Block/dp/1523095563
In the 1970’s Werner Erhard (1935-) gave controversial seminars around the Bay Area as part of the Human Potential Movement. He pointed out how difficult it is to really change your life. He offered strategies that might help. Erhard believed that any form of personal transformation begins with language, with the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves.[i] [i] Therapy, a major life crisis like a divorce or career change, going back to school are ways that people try to transform their lives. These too often involve changing our context or story. I’m using a summary of Erhard from the following book. Peter Block, Community: The Structure of Belonging (San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2008), 14-17.
At their core, most humans are in community when they find a place they belong. According to Peter Block, in the book Community: The Structure of Belonging, the word belong can mean a sense of being a part of something or a sense of ownership. Today I talk about coming together and also the danger of existing only in our own echo chambers without making an attempt to relate to others. How might we be able to get beyond fear and victim thinking to truly relate to one another?
64: How Can We Address Compensation Gaps in the Nonprofit Sector? (Sally Loftis)SUMMARYIt’s a cliché to say no one gets into nonprofit work to get rich. However, if leaders in our sector do not take steps to address the compensation gaps that exist, all of the important work being done will be further diminished by turnover and burnout. In episode #64 of the Path Podcast, Sally Loftis brings a researcher’s eye and HR expertise to this strategic challenge for nonprofit leaders, and provides a wealth of resources and ideas to help you address what is often an elephant in the room. How do you develop a compensation philosophy? How can you do a pay equity assessment? How do you better understand the compensation factors affecting your community? And finally, how can you engage your funders in your efforts to provide a better compensation platform for talent recruitment and retention? Find these answers - and much more - in this episode!ABOUT SALLY Sally Loftis is the Managing Director of Loftis Partners, and is tugging at the webs of relationship that hold our systems of injustice in place through consulting. Her professional experience lies mostly in human resources roles while her lifelong volunteer experience spreads across social justice causes. Sally has worked in strategic roles for a Fortune 50 corporation, a boutique consulting firm, and the largest non-academic craft school in the US. She sees a need to bring equity and inclusion work into all levels of organizations through brave practices, community safe spaces, shared power, active vulnerability, and consent culture. Sally received her Master of Science in Organization Development from Pepperdine University, where she did her thesis on Talent Investment Strategies & Nonprofit Employee Pay. She received a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University and a Bachelor of Business Administration (Concentration: Human Resources) from Freed-Hardeman University.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESDan Pallota’s 2013 Ted Talk "The way we think of charity is dead wrong"Cost of living research by US Bureau of Labor StatisticsSociety of Human Resource Management article America’s Pay Gap is WideningSociety for Human Resources Management’s Study on Effective Workplaces Fund the People’s Toolkits for Talent Investment and Talent JusticeRusty Stahl’s article on Talent Philanthropy Peter Block’s book Community: The Structure of Belonging Ijeoma Oluo’s book So You Want to Talk About RaceSally’s great blog post about this topic
It seems these days people are willing to do anything to find a place where they belong, including destructive things like lying and stealing and looting. I think it's because we've become so disconnected from what we truly desire and what we know deep down is “right” and “true.” As long as we keep looking outside ourselves for answers, we will be continuing to ask he wrong questions. Peter Block wrote an amazing book called Community: The Structure of Belonging and in it he defines the word “belong” in a couple of different ways. He says the first definition is to be related to and part of something. The opposite of that definition, then, is to feel isolated and like an outsider. The second definition he uses has to do with ownership. Something “belongs” to me. And what I consider mine I will build and nurture. Listen in as I talk about the concept of belonging as it applies to me, and also to the world we find ourselves today.
Peter Block is an author and citizen of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the author of nine books including Community: The Structure of Belonging, The Abundant Community with John McKnight and coauthor of An Other Kingdom. His work is in the restoration of the common good and creating a world that reclaims our humanity from the onslaught of modernism. In this week’s episode, Peter Block explains why listening and connecting are the core leadership strategies needed in workplaces today, how to work with cynics, and what the key questions and conversations have been in his work as an organizational turned community development practitioner-scholar. Connect with Peter Block: https://www.peterblock.com/ You’ll Learn: [03:32] - Peter explains why listening is a core capacity needed in workplaces today and why being a role model or visionary leader is not necessary. [06:58] - Peter explains what conversations are necessary in shifting organizational narratives. [08:58] - Peter shares how he assesses whether an organization is ready to have a new more positive change conversation. [11:30] - Peter explains what helps him understand concepts like emergence and complex adaptive systems. [12:31] - Peter explains why it’s important to live with uncertainty and side with the cynics. [15:01] - Peter shares why creating wellbeing and change is all about connection. [15:37] - Peter completes the Lightning Round. Your Resources: MPPW Podcast on Facebook Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post. Please leave an honest review of the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free! You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing. Until next time, take care! Thank you Peter!
My theme word for this year is Simplify, and in this episode, I share what it means to me to simplify my life, what it may mean to you, the things that can get in the way of living a simpler, less cluttered life, and what you can do to overcome those things and live a simpler life. It's a journey and it's one that I'm on. I'm probably somewhere between Marie Kondo's KonMari method and a minimalist lifestyle. I just want to live as simply as I can. I believe to live simply can improve the quality of our lives. It can create more space, more time, more peace, more joy, and more room for the things that matter the most to you. Correction: Peter Block's book title is Community: The Structure of Belonging --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/yourahalife/message
Sascha Mombartz is here on the show today to share his experience as a community builder. Sascha is an entrepreneur, designer and community builder based in New York. He tells a story on how he co-created a popular guideline for community builders - Community Canvas. Together we will talk about community building and impact technology has on modern communities. ➡️ Community Builders group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/we.are.community.builders/ 0:00 Introduction 1:01 How Sascha became a community leader and started to work on the project 4:13 Managing an international community with Fabian Pfortmüller 5:58 Engaging other people to contribute into the project 7:45 Local gatherings 9:25 Ownership of the community 12:52 Technology tools for community builders 18:14 Community members need to co-create 21:54 Social currency and vocabulary of communities 29:00 New age of communications 30:35 Tools for bringing people together 34:12 Book recommendation: “Community: The Structure of Belonging” by Peter Block 36:00 Advice on starting a community 38:59 Conclusion
My guest for today’s episode is author and consultant, Peter Block. Peter has written a number of books, including Community: The Structure of Belonging, which I read recently and learned a lot from. What I love about Peter’s book is that it doesn’t just focus on our interactions; it tackles the cultural assumptions and practices that have created the fragmentation that make it difficult to build cohesive communities. It challenges common beliefs about what makes a leader and the most effective ways to bring about change. And, it provides important insights and practical steps to help us build the communities we want to live in. Resources: http://peterblock.com/ commongood.cc/ *** Intro/outro music, recorded with permission: "Joe Metro," by Blue Scholars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=Wz79goWQrYU ***
Peter Block pursues the big questions in his life. What does that mean? Well, after listening to this episode, you'll know and I'll bet you'll do it, too. Peter has such a way with words that when he chooses them and puts them together, deep, profound wisdom is conveyed. It may be 4 words he speaks, but the truth behind them humans have experienced since the beginning of time. In this episode, he introduces you to perspectives on the free market consumer ideology that will set you free. Does it sound like I'm overpromising? You be the judge. (Hint: I'm not).Please Support The Show with a Donation Peter Block is an author, consultant and citizen of Cincinnati, Ohio. His work is about empowerment, stewardship, chosen accountability, and the reconciliation of community.Peter is the author of several best selling books. The most widely known being Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used. In addition, he has published Community: The Structure of Belonging, The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods, and The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What MattersThe books are about ways to create workplaces and communities that work for all. They offer an alternative to the patriarchal beliefs that dominate our culture. His work is to bring change into the world through consent and connectedness rather than through mandate and force.He is a partner in Designed Learning, a training company that offers workshops designed by Peter to build the skills outlined in his books. He received a Masters Degree in Industrial Administration from Yale University in 1963; he performed his undergraduate work at the University of Kansas.Peter serves on the Boards of Directors of Cincinnati Classical Public Radio; Elementz, a Hip Hop center for urban youth; and LivePerson, a provider of online engagement solutions. He is on the Advisory Board for the Festival in the Workplace Institute, Bahamas. He is the first Distinguished Consultant-in-Residence at Xavier University. With other volunteers in Cincinnati, Peter began A Small Group, whose work is to create a new community narrative and to bring his work on civic engagement into being.His latest book is called: An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer CultureIn This Interview, Peter Block and I Discuss...The Wolf ParableHis book, An Other Kingdom: Departing the Consumer Culture"I shop, therefore I am"The 4 pillars of the free market consumer ideology under which we live: Scarcity, Certainty, Perfection, and PrivatisationIf we believe in scarcity, then it's "I win, You loose" or "You win, I lose"The scarcity mindset is a lieWe are drawn to leaders who give us the feeling of certainty"A high control civilization"The longing for perfection, or "Is something wrong with me?"Privatisation, or the implementation of Scarcity, Certainty, and PerfectionPrivatisation says that you cannot trust the collectiveIn order to live the first 3 pillars, it's me vs the governmentPerhaps, rather than happiness, freedom, and meaning are the pointThe importance of having a purposeHave we rendered our youth and the elderly purposeless?The problem with consumerism is that no matter how much you have, it's never enoughThe creation of modernismNeighborliness and CovenantHis book, The Answer to How is YesThat questions bring us together and answers alienate usThat sadness isn't a problem to be solved, rather, part of being humanIf someone can convince you that something is wrong with you, they have control over youPlease Support The Show with a Donation
Evangelism: It’s not a numbers game. When Jesus sends out his followers, he sends them out to offer peace, share meals, and share stories together—to build relationships. But in today’s world, where we seem to be more divided than ever, how do we create community? How do we provide hospitality when it means being uncomfortable? Casey W. FitzGerald preaches today from Luke 10:1-11, with reference to “Community: The Structure of Belonging” by Peter Block.
We will examine Peter Block's book and discuss the difficulties and dynamics of building a beloved community. Fergurson, Mayor Barry, race, and class will be looked examined.
Mary King IRS Problem Solving Attorney and co- author of the book Protect and Defend. Her career in law has primarily focused in IRS problem solving as well as mortgage foreclosure defense Peter Boatwright Carnegie Bosch Professor of Marketing at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University. Boatwight has both his MBA and his PhD from University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. He is Co-Director of the Integrated Innovation Institute, which he likes to call “a next-generation hub of practical creativity” that produces results for academia, business and social purpose Peter Block author and citizen of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a partner in Designed Learning, a training company that offers workshops designed to build the skills outlined in his books. He is the author of Flawless Consulting, Stewardship, The Answer to How Is Yes, Community: The Structure of Belonging, and The Abundant Community, with John McKnight. Peter serves on the boards of Elementz, an urban arts center, and LivePerson, a provider of online engagement solutions. His work is in the restoration of communities and creating a world that reclaims our humanity from the onslaught of modernism Mike Browne cartoonist, animator and inventor. He has been drawing business and celebrity cartoons for over 20 years. His latest invention, WindowSport Team Decals literally turns your back window into a piece of art. Go to Bigredshoes.com to see his artwork and GIF animations
Today Rev. John catches us up on his summer reading with two books Community--The Structure of Belonging by Peter Block and Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. The insights he learned from these two books, among others this summer, are significantly changing his social justice ministry with UUCA! Check it out...