Powerful questions are those that, in the answering, evoke a choice for accountability and commitment. Credit: Peter Block Posts where this quotation is embedded Bake Conversation Into All That We Do ** There are so many ways to leverage conversation Conclusion: Two Pillars of Truth Critical thinking – a civic duty Conversation Sharpens the Saw It is not … Continue reading Powerful Questions Evoke a Choice for Accountability and Commitment Peter Block
Despite current ads and slogans, the world doesn’t change one person at a time. It changes when networks of relationships form among people who share a common cause and vision of what’s possible. This is good news for those of us intent on creating a positive future. Rather than worry about critical mass, our work … Continue reading The World Doesn’t Change One Person at a Time Meg Wheatley
A new future is created when each gathering (or meeting) becomes an opportunity to deepen accountability and commitment through engagement. It doesn’t matter what the stated purpose of the gathering is. Each gathering serves two functions: (1) to address its stated purpose and (2) to be an occasion for each person to decide to become … Continue reading A Gathering Serves Two Functions Peter Block
But when I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money – booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but is great in consequence. Until one is committed, there … Continue reading Until One Is Committed, There Is Hesitancy W. H. Murray
Leadership begins with understanding that every gathering is an opportunity to deepen accountability and commitment through engagement. It doesn’t matter what the stated purpose of the gathering is. Each gathering serves two functions: to address its stated purpose, its business issues; and to be an occasion for each person to decide to become engaged as … Continue reading How Leadership Begins Peter Block
Introduction: Conversational Habits Talk More Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Make time to talk: One of the reasons we frequently give for not taking a more conversational approach to our work or life is a lack of time. Some of us even see conversation as a waste of time, but lack of time … Continue reading Make Time to Talk The lack of time for conversation is just an excuse
Introduction: Principles of Conversational Leadership II. Embrace Complexity Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Take responsibility: In life, we can choose to take responsibility in several ways. Most critically, we can choose to take ownership of the changes we wish to see in the world. Introduction Taking responsibility is a crucial aspect of personal … Continue reading I. Take Responsibility We need to take responsibility for the changes we wish to see in the world
Introduction: Motivation and Engagement ** Motivation ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter We often make a commitment to do things that we later give up on, but what is meant by a genuine commitment? To be committed means giving our time and energy to someone or something that we believe in or making … Continue reading Genuine Commitment We are committed when we decide to do something without any expectation of return
Leadership Is a Practice Not a Position of Authority Shared Meaning Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter One of the most significant mistakes we often commit when striving to initiate change is trying to enforce things upon others. We identify problems, create visions, manifestos, strategies, and plans to implement so-called solutions (there are no … Continue reading Ownership, Not Buy-in We need to move from buy-in to ownership
Genuine Commitment Engagement ** Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly. Credit: Stephen Covey Economists and workplace consultants regard it as almost unquestioned dogma that people are motivated by rewards, so … Continue reading Motivation ** Motivation is a fire from within
Punished by Rewards We Need to Stop Trying to Do Things to Each Other Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter We use the words responsibility and accountability loosely in everyday language, but what’s the difference? We take responsibility but are held accountable. We can not make someone responsible for something; we can only hold them accountable. … Continue reading The Difference Between Responsibility and Accountability We take responsibility but are held accountable
Listen with the Intent to Understand Don’t Give Advice Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter Don’t Discourage Dissent: Many view conflict as bad and try suppressing it, but disagreement is healthy. It is an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation, and we should encourage it. FUD – fear, uncertainty, and doubt. No, not the … Continue reading Don’t Discourage Dissent Fear, uncertainty and doubt are good things
