Freedom at Work: A Conversation with Peter Block.

My friend Len Hjalmarson introduced me to Peter Block a few years ago, specifically to his book Community: The Structure of Belonging (pub. 2009). The book was described in this way:

“…Modern society is plagued by fragmentation. The various sectors of our communities--businesses, schools, social service organizations, churches, and government - do not work together. They exist in their own worlds. As do so many individual citizens, who long for connection but end up marginalized, their gifts overlooked, their potential contributions lost. This disconnection and detachment makes it hard if not impossible to envision a common future and work towards it together. We know what healthy communities look like--there are many success stories out there, and they've been described in detail. What Block provides in this inspiring new book is an exploration of the exact way community can emerge from fragmentation: How is community built? How does the transformation occur? What fundamental shifts are involved? He explores a way of thinking about our places that creates an opening for authentic communities to exist and details what each of us can do to make that happen.” 

Since then, he’s written a couple of other books. Most recently a revised and expanded 2^nd edition of his book Stewardship: Choosing Service over Self-Interest (pub. May 2013). 

It’s this latter book that is the focus of a Sounds True conversation between Tami Simon and Peter Block. 

“…How do we create organizations that work for everyone? What’s the true role of the person called “the boss?” How is the concept of business stewardship different from our traditional notions of leadership? Where can we find true freedom in the workplace? Peter Block is a bestselling author and business consultant who teaches about chosen accountability and the reconciliation of community. Tami Simon speaks with Peter about these questions and more in a business conversation unlike any you’ve heard.” 

Here’s a couple of quotes strung together (a little bit of paraphrasing too):

“...Leadership is to initiate an alternative future. It’s an act on intention, an act of creativity…the task of leadership is to figure out the question we need to be asking and exploring together… The question is more powerful than the answer… A good question works on you…it opens space for other possibilities, for the unseen, and for alternative futures and possibilities…” 

You’ll find the podcast here.