Blog - Designed Learning

Flawless Consulting: A Compass in Chaotic Times We live — and work — in a world that feels increasingly complex. Organizations are stretched thin, trust is extremely fragile, and it seems like every day, leaders are being asked to do more with less. In the midst of uncertainty, it’s easy to slip into survival mode. Solve the… Read Post

The Creative Economy Part One: Another Way Forward By Peter Block We live in a culture where our attention is fixated on what is not working and who is winning and losing. The narrative is filled with polarization, conflict, wrongdoing. This is the major substance of headline news and a good portion of social… Read Post

Part Two: The Creative Economy in Plain Sight by Peter Block “The future is already here, it is just unevenly distributed.” ––William Gibson We are surrounded by an economy that we rarely hear about, called the creative economy. It is not an economy for creatives, it is about the ways people create… Read Post

Safe Return Doubtful By Peter Block | We live in a market culture that organizes itself around scarcity and barter. What’s in it for you, what’s in it for me, let’s make a deal. It treats us as if we are essentially economic beings, motivated by self-interest... Read Post

Empowering Consultants to Navigate Turbulent Times By Beverly Crowell | As organizations continue to face unprecedented times, internal consultants are facing significant challenges that require not only technical expertise but also exceptional interpersonal skills and strategic insight. And it doesn’t matter if your job title includes the word consultant... Read Post

8 Strategies To Elevate Your HRBP Role And Drive Organizational Success Stop Being an HR Order-Taker, Become a Trusted Advisor | By Beverly Crowell | As a Human Resource Business Partner (HRBP), you have expertise that is critical for the survival and growth of the organization. Unfortunately, many HRBPs find themselves being underutilized, overworked with transactional tasks, and being asked to “fix” things and people. Read Post

Tattoos of the Mind By Peter Block | Transformation occurs first in the mind. It is then triggered in an infinite number of ways. What each entails is a shift in narrative. A shift in the story we choose to live into. Each entails a movement away from our historical way of naming our being in the world. Then discovering and choosing new words that name the future we aspire to. It is the moment when we decide to choose a future distinct from the past. Read Post

Naperville’s Book Read: A Collective Exploration of Community What happens when a city comes together to collectively explore what community truly means? The City of Naperville, located just 28 miles from Chicago, launched the “Embracing Community Book Read” initiative in the second half of 2024. The initiative invited residents, employees, and students to read and discuss Peter Block’s… Read Post

Thank You. I Like Hearing That. By Peter Block | Gift: Something willingly given to someone without payment. A natural ability or talent... Read Post

Virtual Encounter, Real Gifts: Reflections from the China OD Practitioner (CODP) Conference It has been over two weeks since I returned from this year’s China OD Practitioner (CODP) Conference held on November 16-17, yet the impact of the event still lingers on my mind. I am deeply moved by the overwhelming feedback shared by participants, especially their reflections from a talk given… Read Post