![]() |
Quotation
|
Connection before Content by Peter Block |
![]() |
|
Quotations from Peter Block: ![]() Connection before content. Without relatedness, no work can occur. Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker ![]() This begins by allowing people the space to say "no". If we cannot say "no" then "yes" has no meaning. Each needs the chance to express their doubts and reservations without having to justify them, or move quickly into problem solving. "No" is the beginning of the conversation for commitment. Doubt and "no" is a symbolic expression of people finding their space and role in the strategy. It is when we fully understand what people do not want that choice becomes possible. The leadership task is to surface doubts and dissent without having an answer to every question. Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker ![]() Without this capacity to see ourselves as cause, our efforts become either coercive or wishfully dependent on the transformation of others. Community will be created the moment we decide to act as creators of what it can become. This requires us to believe that this organization, neighborhood, community is mine or ours to create. This will occur when we are willing to ask the question "How have I contributed to the current reality?" Confusion, blame and waiting for someone else to change are a defense against ownership and personal power. Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker ![]() Most of the time when people seek advice, they just want to be heard. Advice at best stops the conversation, definitely inhibits learning, and at worst claims dominance. Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker ![]() Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker ![]() This can be a difficult stance to take for we have a deeply held belief that the way to make a difference in the world is to define problems and needs and then recommend actions to solve those needs. We are all problem solvers, action oriented and results minded. It is illegal in this culture to leave a meeting without a to-do list. We want measurable outcomes and we want them now. What is hard to grasp is that it is this very mindset which prevents anything fundamental from changing. We cannot problem solve our way into fundamental change, or transformation. This is not an argument against problem solving; it is an intention to shift the context and language within which problem solving takes place. Authentic transformation is about a shift in context and a shift in language and conversation. It is about changing our idea of what constitutes action. Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker ![]() Every meeting, every process, every training program has to get people connected first. Otherwise the content falls on deaf ears. So small groups are an essential building block to any future you want to create. Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker ![]() It needs the issues and the plans to have more of an impact, which is the promise of engagement. Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker ![]() Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker ![]() Traditionally , we want a strategy, and a list of next steps and milestones , and the knowledge of who will be responsible for them in order to be satisfied that we have spent our time well when we are together. Any change in the world will, in fact, need this kind of action. To say, however, that this is all that counts as action is too narrow. If we are to value building social fabric and belonging as much as budgets, timetables, and bricks and mortar, we need to consider action in a broader way. For example: Would a meeting be worthwhile if we simply strengthened our relationship? Would a meeting be worthwhile if we learned something of value? Suppose in a meeting we simply stated our requests of each other and what we were willing to offer each other. Would that justify our time together? Or, in the gathering, what if we only discussed the gifts we wanted to bring to bear on the concern that brought us together. Would that be an outcome of value? Saying yes to these questions opens and widens the spectrum of what constitutes action, and this is the point. Relatedness, learning, requests, and offers of gifts are outcomes as valuable as agreements and next steps. Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker ![]() Shifting our thinking does not change the world, but it creates a condition where the shift in the world becomes possible. Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker ![]() Trying to be helpful and giving advise are really ways to control others. ... Advice, recommendations, and obvious actions are exactly what increase the likelihood that tomorrow will be just like yesterday. Peter Block, (b. 1940) American author, consultant, & speaker
|
|
10:04 PM GMT |