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…
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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…
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Thank You. I Like Hearing That.
By Peter Block Gift: A natural ability or talent. A thing willingly given to someone without payment. Success at building strong communities and organizations is accelerated when we focus on and give full expression to our gifts and the gifts of others. This…
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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…
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Honoring John McKnight & The Gift He Was
We are deeply saddened by the loss of John McKnight, a dear friend, author, professor, and co-founder of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute. John laid the foundation for the work that we do in community. Because of him, our focus is always on gifts, not deficiencies. Because of him,…
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Ambiguity is the Enemy of Good Agreements
In every aspect of our lives, we make agreements with other people, from day-to-day decisions like where to go to dinner to monumental topics like how we want to achieve our strategic/life goals together. We are often disappointed with the results no matter what kind of agreements we make. The…
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Why Expertise Alone Fails: The Partnership Secret Behind Flawless Consulting
Consulting isn’t just about offering expertise—it’s about building authentic relationships and fostering trust. That’s one of the most important of the many insights from Peter Block’s Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used, a book that has transformed the way countless individuals and organizations think about the…
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Flawless Consulting: Setting Strategic Vision
Thirteen years ago, I joined Designed Learning as an independent contractor to assist in marketing and sales. I knew absolutely nothing about Designed Learning, Flawless Consulting, or Peter Block. I knew even less about setting strategic vision and its importance to organizational effectiveness. So, What’s the Point? Learning the skills…
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Transforming Leadership for Equitable Change: Introducing Leader as Convener
In our pursuit of more equitable, sustainable, and community-oriented systems, we often overlook a crucial element: how we come together. At Designed Learning®, we believe that the way we convene can be as transformative as the work itself. Our “Leader as Convener” program offers a paradigm shift in how we…
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Resistance is Predictable
“Resistance is not only predictable and natural; it is a necessary part of the learning process.” – Peter Bock, Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used When it comes to your ideas and beliefs that you hold, it can be challenging to take a step back and…
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