Education and career
Peter Block completed his undergraduate studies in industrial management at the University of Kansas in 1961 and obtained a master's degree in industrial administration from Yale University in 1963. He started his career as an organizational consultant in 1963 in the information service department atRecognition and awards
Peter Block is the recipient of the Organization Development Network's 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2004 he received their first place Members' Choice Award in recognition of his book, ''Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used (1999)'' as the most influential book for Organizational Development practitioners over the past 40 years. Among other national awards, he also received the American Society for Training and Development Award for Distinguished Contributions, the Association for Quality and Participation President's Award, and he was entered into Training Magazine's HRD Hall of Fame.Work and ideas
Peter Block's work generally focuses on alternatives to patriarchal beliefs pervasive in Western culture and his ideas suggest that cultural change can be brought about through consent and connectedness as opposed through mandate and force. Peter contends that cultural change is only possible when it is preceded by relationship and connectedness among its members. Peter is the author and co-author of several books (see Selected Bibliography below). His most recent, ''The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods (2010)'', is co-authored with John McKnight, emeritus professor of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University. This book is a culmination of Peter's work on community and the cultural change needed for the creation of a more sustainable future.Culture and community
Regarding the changing of cultural beliefs, Peter Block argues that a "culture of accountability" is needed and feasible if attention is diverted away from leaders and refocused on citizens with a commitment towards the creation of a deeper sense of community andCitizenship and consumerism
Peter Block's notion of a citizen is someone accountable and committed to the well-being of the whole and a participant in a democracy, regardless of their legal status. Peter stated that a citizen is "one who chooses to create the life, the neighborhood, the world from their own gifts and the gifts of others". Block's points to a paradox: in the realization of citizenship today, many who have full citizenship rights wait for others to contribute to their life and yet themselves contribute little to democracy or the well-being of their community. Others without citizenship rights are major contributors to community and democracy. Nevertheless, Peter generally attributes citizenship to those functioning as full participants in a democracy. His conceptualization of a "consumer" might be regarded as more contentious. In his words, "a consumer is one who has surrendered to others the power to provide what is essential for a full and satisfied life" and he goes as far as saying, "Consumerism is not about shopping, but about the transformation of citizens into consumers". Moreover, Peter believes there is a growing movement of people who believe that a full and satisfied life is obtained within their communities rather than in the market place.Stewardship and service
Peter Block conceives of "stewardship" as an umbrella term that encapsulates the means towards the achievement of fundamental change in the manner in which we govern institutions. His conceptualization of "service" is more complex. He argues that service is realized in both the "language of service" and the "experience of service". He argues, the problem is that we have the language of service, but lack the experience of it. He attributes this lack to self-interest present in ourselves as well as our institutions. He believes service is only truly realized when it is "authentic" and when the following characteristics are present: there is a balance of power; the primary commitment is to the larger community; and there is a balanced and equitable distribution of rewards. Peter argues that these notions of stewardship and service (see aforementioned definitions) are not characteristic of how organizations are currently being run. He explains that although these notions are reflective of our intentions towards governing, they are not reflective of the reality. Block is regarded as a notable supporter, with others like Margaret Wheatley,Notable undertakings
In collaboration with Werner H. Erhard, Peter Block designed courses and trained clergy and grassroots leaders in transformation skills and perspectives in leadership and integrity to effect peace and reconciliation in the Northern Ireland Peace Process.Mastery FoundationSelected bibliography
Books
*''Community: The Structure of Belonging, 2nd Edition'' (2018), Berrett-Koehler Publishers; . * ''Stewardship: Choosing Service Over Self Interest, 2nd Edition'' (2013), Berrett-Koehler Publishers; . * ''The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters'' (2003), Berrett-Koehler Publishers; . * ''Flawless Consulting Fieldbook & Companion: A Guide to Understanding Your Expertise'' (2000), . * ''Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used'' (1999), . * ''The Empowered Manager: Positive Political Skills at Work'' (1991), .Co-authored books
* ''The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods'' (with John McKnight 2012), Berrett-Koehler Publishers; . * ''Freedom and Accountability at Work: Applying Philosophic Insight to the Real World'' (2001), . *''The Age of Participation: New Governance for the Workplace and the World'' (with Patricia McLagan and Christo Nel, 1995), Berrett-Koehler Publishers; .Articles
* "Rediscovering Service: Weaning Higher Education from Its Factory Mentality" in ''Educational Record'', 76(4):6–13 * "Servant Leadership: Creating An Alternative Future" in The International Journal of Servant-Leadership, 2 (May 2006):55–79References
External links