Reversing Cause and Effect The conversation creates the speakers

We are familiar with the concept of cause and effect, and in most situations, it is apparent which is the cause and which is the effect so much so that we don’t even stop to consider the reverse.

This provocative idea by Peter Block is from a booklet he co-authored called Civic Engagement and the Restoration of Community (see pages 13 to 15}

The shift in the world begins with a shift in our thinking. Shifting our thinking does not change the world, but it creates a condition where the shift in the world becomes possible.

Credit: Peter Block

Peter believes that the critical change required in our thinking is to move from thinking of ourselves as the outcome of something done to us, i.e., effect, to thinking of ourselves as the cause of what is happening.

So in any situation, a question to ask ourselves is, “What is the cause, and what is the effect?” “Which way round is it?” What would it mean if our way of seeing a situation were reversed?

Are we the ones actually causing the situation rather than others? Are we trying to solve a problem that we attribute to others that is, in reality, a problem of our own making? Or what is our contribution to this problem?

Did this cause and effect co-evolve — like the chicken or the egg  — is there no right or wrong answer?

Interestingly, Peter says it does not matter if the reversal is true or not, but to ask yourself which form of thinking is the most useful, giving us the most insight and the most power. So in any situation, we don’t have to believe it; but pretend that things are around the other way. What insight does that give us? What would it mean?

Here are some reversals to provoke your thinking (one or two of them especially so) – most of them are Peter’s, but a few of them are mine:

• The audience creates the performance
• The conversation creates the speakers
• The consumer creates the marketer
• The subordinate creates the boss
• The child creates the parent
• The employee creates its leadership
• The student creates the teacher
• The future creates the present
• The listener creates the speaker
• An openness to learn creates the teaching
• Problem-solving occurs to build relationships

Think about it. This is a powerful personal and group thinking tool.

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• We need to move from thinking of ourselves as the outcome of something done to us, i.e., effect, to thinking of ourselves as the cause of what is happening. —  Peter Block

Things Todo

• Reflect: Think of an issue you have right now – are you the problem?

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