The publication date for Peter Block’s new book is May 12 and I can’t wait to read it. Community: The Structure of Belonging is described as a book about “Citizens [who] have the power to change the community story and bring a new context into being. Block shows us how we can overcome isolation and anxiety and create communities alive with energy and possibility. This book is written to support those who care for the well being of their communities. It is for anyone who wants to be part of an organization, neighborhood, city, or country that works for all, and who have the faith and the energy to create such a place.”
This is Block’s first book since “The Answer to How is Yes, Acting on What Matters” published in 2002, which, by the way, is a perfect read for anyone who has worked to bring inclusive schools, organizations and communities into reality. Block challenges us to consider that ‘how’ might be the wrong question to start with when we are pursuing a dream or engaging in change. The alternative to asking how (How do you do it? How much will it cost? How long will it take?), according to Block, is to say YES as a symbol of our stance toward possibility. The right questions, Block writes, are about values, purpose, aesthetics, human connection, and deeper philosophical inquiry.
What a difference from the how-to approach so prevalent (and empty) in many change initiatives.
