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on September 27, 2012
The restoration of community is a vital need for us today. Block suggests that the first step to community is to quit thinking of community as a problem and instead to define it as conversations -- conversations of possibility. Block sees the role of leadership as convening small groups, which he sees as the unit of transformation. In starting the conversations in these groups, the leader needs to remember that questions are more transforming than answers; curiosity more useful than advice. He explains what questions have power and what questions squelch power. He also explains how to invite people, how to facilitate accountability and ownership, and the importance of physical space for meetings and how to design it. Having dealt with these issues a long time myself, I was pleased to see some of my wisdom validated and also to learn important new wrinkles about small groups and community.
on October 24, 2015
I was inspired by the ideas on community building, but a little skeptical about the effectiveness of the conversations. Then we convened a church gathering around the ownership conversation and we were amazed at the power of the questions. We began a path to transformation! We intend to gather around all six conversations. A new day is emerging.
on January 27, 2013
I decided to read "Community: The Structure of Belonging" as we strive to build better community within the retail company where I work and am responsible for training and developing our employees. As many retailers and other far-flung organizations may experience, there is sometimes an isolation and even loneliness between those employees, who may go through new-hire training centrally but then must hone their practices and results independently of their co-workers. They may pick up ideas and tips occasionally from others, but most of how they eventually perform they learn on their own. It's this situation that's motivated me to work toward an online community where our employees could start to interact with each other. My mistaken impression before I read Peter Block's book was that together we could recognize and analyze each others' ideas and practices and then legislate the "best" practices from among those.
After reading the book, I am more focused on the process with which we will do all this. Focusing more on the act of gathering people together either online or in-person, we can determine the best ways for our community of far-flung employees to start working together to improve everyone's success in what we will all accomplish. To risk the use of an old cliche, Block's suggestion is that it is the journey by which we do this more so than any final best practices that we may reach at the destination. So for the original goal that I set out to accomplish in buying this book, such a focus on the ongoing conversation and the ways we are interacting with each other may prove most effective as we establish such a community within our organization.
What was unexpected and a huge plus were the comments Block makes about the way our American systems (i.e., economic, political, educational, social services, media) have become and made all of us so fragmented. I've read many books over the past year that lament how our government is hopelessly partisan, our classes are hopelessly unequal, our values are maker vs. taker, etc. All of those books explain the issues but few have good solutions. Block explains the problem much more elegantly -- that our individualistic narrative; the inward attention of our institutions, corporations and our professions; and the messages from our media all work to make us feel isolated and fragmented from everyone else. He suggests that building greater community among us and reversing the path we are on now is not through government, corporations or large institutions with mandates, budgets and power to make things better. Nor will some super leaders come in with the magical strategies to finally make things better. Rather, Block is saying that we can only do that for ourselves by deciding to work with others in our communities to make things better for everyone.
So, this book is more than just an academic focus on what communities can do to change things for the better. It is the opposite of what Charles Murray set out to suggest in his inflammatory book "Coming Apart." But as some critics of Block suggest, his prescription to work together is not the answer in and of itself. It is the hard work cities, organizations, school systems, social service organizations, and citizens committees all must do to change the context of what they want to accomplish, create the gatherings and structure to start accomplishing the ends that we have so long been trying to reach.
After reading the book, I am more focused on the process with which we will do all this. Focusing more on the act of gathering people together either online or in-person, we can determine the best ways for our community of far-flung employees to start working together to improve everyone's success in what we will all accomplish. To risk the use of an old cliche, Block's suggestion is that it is the journey by which we do this more so than any final best practices that we may reach at the destination. So for the original goal that I set out to accomplish in buying this book, such a focus on the ongoing conversation and the ways we are interacting with each other may prove most effective as we establish such a community within our organization.
What was unexpected and a huge plus were the comments Block makes about the way our American systems (i.e., economic, political, educational, social services, media) have become and made all of us so fragmented. I've read many books over the past year that lament how our government is hopelessly partisan, our classes are hopelessly unequal, our values are maker vs. taker, etc. All of those books explain the issues but few have good solutions. Block explains the problem much more elegantly -- that our individualistic narrative; the inward attention of our institutions, corporations and our professions; and the messages from our media all work to make us feel isolated and fragmented from everyone else. He suggests that building greater community among us and reversing the path we are on now is not through government, corporations or large institutions with mandates, budgets and power to make things better. Nor will some super leaders come in with the magical strategies to finally make things better. Rather, Block is saying that we can only do that for ourselves by deciding to work with others in our communities to make things better for everyone.
So, this book is more than just an academic focus on what communities can do to change things for the better. It is the opposite of what Charles Murray set out to suggest in his inflammatory book "Coming Apart." But as some critics of Block suggest, his prescription to work together is not the answer in and of itself. It is the hard work cities, organizations, school systems, social service organizations, and citizens committees all must do to change the context of what they want to accomplish, create the gatherings and structure to start accomplishing the ends that we have so long been trying to reach.
on March 1, 2017
Challenged both democratic and conservative ideologies. At times perhaps a little esoteric, but nonetheless, a strong application intended to transform our ideas about what it means to be a community, to live as empowered citizens rather than "consumers", stop waiting for leaders to save us, to restore trust where it is broken and ultimately (and after a long time of hard work and persistence) end political suffering. Block makes it seem doable. Found myself getting the most out of the details. Might not be great for skimmers.
on March 16, 2017
Got here in a timely manner. It is tough to read, though.
on August 31, 2015
Excellent summary of major contributors to the development of "community" development rather than "stuff as many as you can" into a neighborhood. Local politicians should read this book and evaluate their approach to planning for growth. Too often a builder's association has the upper hand in influencing county and municipal planning departments. A "systems" approach is advocated in this book that looks at human needs and activity as the primary motivation for determining how to plan for population growth.
on January 4, 2015
I will never think of community as a hindrance again. Read as grad student and during a course where we stayed at a monastery. Just an excellent book about the value and support of community. Yes, you can comfortably remain a unique individual while appreciating what a real community offers and allows the growth of the individual.
on September 12, 2014
For nearly 25 years, it has been my privilege to work with community leaders as they seek enhancement of the places they live. Block's book is the best I've read about the complexity and potential success of community work if leaders and volunteers are asking the right questions and learning to live collaboratively.
While those reading this review don't know me, my recommendation: buy the book, devour it, AND use the principles in it.
While those reading this review don't know me, my recommendation: buy the book, devour it, AND use the principles in it.
on May 30, 2015
This is and outstanding read with important points of view on belonging and community. It is also poetic and chock full of wisdom about how we are with each other and how we can be better together. It is both idealistic and pragmatic. A perfect blend.
Dr. Tracy Brower, author of Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work: A Guide for Leaders and Organizations
Dr. Tracy Brower, author of Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work: A Guide for Leaders and Organizations
