We often wait for grand changes to happen elsewhere, but real transformation occurs in our immediate interactions. Exploring the wisdom of "one room at a time," we discuss how taking ownership of your current environment, whether a boardroom or a living room, is the ultimate act of citizenship.
Saying hello is more than just a greeting; it is a declaration of shared humanity. We explore how the simple act of acknowledging strangers on the street, especially when the cultural norm is to look away—, builds the social fabric of our neighbourhoods. By moving beyond our social hesitation and reclaiming our presence in public, we can transform the street from a space of transit into a common space of belonging.
Being right is a barrier to being related. In day eight of our series, we explore how loosening our grip on certainty allows us to create deeper connections in our workplaces and neighbourhoods. By choosing understanding over rightness, we move from being experts to being citizens who are willing to learn from one another.
Blame is a declaration of powerlessness. In the final day of our first week, we explore the transformative power of taking ownership. By asking what part of a situation is ours to own, we stop being onlookers and start becoming co-creators of our workplaces and neighbourhoods.
Choice is the primary tool of the citizen. In day six of our series, we explore how moving beyond our automatic reflexes allows us to reclaim our sovereignty in our workplaces and neighbourhoods. By intentionally choosing a thoughtful response, we stop being victims of our circumstances and start becoming architects of our collective future.
Our stories have a way of becoming our reality. In day five of our series, we explore the importance of catching our internal narratives before they limit what is possible. By choosing curiosity over early conclusions, we can build more open, accountable, and resilient communities in our workplaces and neighbourhoods.
Behind every complaint is a commitment. In day four of our series, we explore how naming what truly matters allows us to move from being critics to being co-creators. By identifying the values we are protecting, we can lead with greater authenticity and build more resilient, purpose-driven communities.
Speed is often a barrier to real connection. In day three of our series, we explore how slowing the moment and creating a pause allows us to move from automatic reactions to intentional, soulful responses in our neighbourhoods and organisations.
Our bodies often decide how we feel about a situation before our minds have even processed the data. In day two of our series, we explore how noticing your internal reactions can move you from being a reactive onlooker to a calm, intentional citizen in your workplace and neighbourhood.
Our stories create our reality. In both our neighbourhoods and our workplaces, the most dangerous thing we carry is a settled narrative. Learn how to shift from being a victim of circumstances to a co-creator of the future by challenging the assumptions you hold today.
What does citizenship ask of us beyond our rights? This reflective essay explores the quiet tension between personal freedom and responsibility to engage in community, and the unnoticed cost when we enjoy the benefits of civic life without shared ownership.
A personal reflection on the tension between standing apart and standing with. What if citizenship is less about expertise and more about presence? This piece explores the polarity between individuality and belonging, and what it might take to return to the room.
I am beginning to shift my work toward citizenship and sustainability because the world is asking something different of us and me now. The challenges we face can no longer be met only through organisational lenses. They call for a deeper kind of participation, a renewed sense of stewardship, and a willingness to see ourselves as creators of community and future. This piece marks the beginning of that pivot.
Inspired by Peter Block’s Connecting for Common Good series, this blog explores the shift from leader to connector: building trust, belonging, and shared accountability through everyday habits, cultural practices, and real-world examples from around the globe.
Every tough situation we face has hope, if we are capable of standing back and seeing the possibility. A short piece on finding and creating hope.
Flawless Consulting by Peter Block is a foundational work on building trust-based partnerships with clients. This practical summary highlights the key ideas, mindsets and behaviours that help consultants, facilitators and leaders create sustainable results through authentic partnership.
Below is my fourth sketchnote (more note than sketch) on the fourth session with Peter Block on Connecting for the common good. Generative Journalism was front and centre of the session, with Peter Pula (website) explaining what it is and how WE can make it happen. There is one more in the series and that can be found here.
This is my third session attending Connecting for the Common Good with Peter Block. As always, some great conversations and ideas. There are two more in the series. See HERE to attend. Here is my sketchnote summary of the session:
Yesterday I attended the second session by Peter Block on "Connecting for the common good". A great follow on session with new people to meet and exchange ideas with. There are three more in the series. See HERE to attend. Here is my sketchnote summary of the session:
Yesterday I attended a session by Peter Block on "Connecting for the common good". As always engaging, energising and motivating. There are four more in the series. See HERE. Here is my sketchnote summary of the session:
The full title is "The Answer to How is YES: Acting on what matters." The book in 3 sentences Peter Block argues that our obsession with asking “how?” masks a deeper avoidance of personal responsibility and purpose. Instead of chasing solutions, we should begin by saying “yes” to what truly matters and commit to it without waiting for permission or certainty. [...]
A practical summary of Peter Block’s Community: The Structure of Belonging, highlighting the key ideas that help leaders, facilitators and community builders create genuine belonging, trust and shared ownership.
The book in 3 sentences The Empowered Manager is a practical guide for managers who want to lead with integrity, not control. It shows how managers can choose partnership over hierarchy, service over self-interest, and accountability over compliance. By making these personal shifts, managers can foster trust, ownership, and meaningful change, regardless of the system they work in. Who should read [...]
Book summary of Stewardship
Link to a stakeholder mapping process
Article link that explores "Connection before content"
Source: Leading for Regeneration : Going Beyond Sustainability in Business Education, and Community by John Hardman
Link to article: Leadership and the small group
GUIDE TO ALLYSHIP An open source starter guide to help you become a more thoughtful and effective ally. — Read on guidetoallyship.com/
lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/The Future Civilization.pdf
A link to the work done by Michelle Buchholz on Visual Policy Analysis
