Stewardship

Choosing Service Over Self-interest

By: Peter Block

Narrated by: Michael Toms

Length: 2 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

In today's workplace, managers must be able to accept accountability for the overall well-being of the company, yet also be able to give up the need to control or be controlled by others. Author Peter Block discusses ways to create a new kind of workplace, where every employee thinks and acts like an owner, by integrating management with workers to increase productivity. This program features exclusive interviews with the author, Harley Davidson President/CEO Richard Teerlink, best selling author Margaret Wheatley, and others who have benefited from these time-tested principles.

Recording (P)1997 by Audio Literature; Copyright ©1993, 1996 by Peter Block

Great Thoughts

I found Peter Block's ideas fascinating. Peter Block is an experienced consultant with some revolutionary ideas about how business and government should be run. In this book he talks about service, community, empowerment, responsibility and accountability. He shows how work and family life can be more fulfilling and rewarding for all of us if we can change our thinking on how business is structured. Critics may think he's too idealistic, too radical, too impractical, but the interviews at the end of the audiobook show how these ideas are being successfully implemented in three different organizations, a school district, a police department, and at Harley Davidson. Margaret Wheatley, author of "A Simpler Way" and "Leadership and the New Science", both available at Audible, was also interviewed.
Change is difficult and those in power now will probably have the most trouble accepting these ideas. But these ideas can transform us and society, and they should be embraced by all.

A New Way of Thinking

Block presents the concept of stewardship as a new form of leadership or governance that places service ahead of self-interest and creates partnership rather than dependency. It takes the idea of empowerment presented in his earlier book, The Empowered Manager, to a whole new level. Block is constantly contrasting traditional leadership with the model of stewardship with phrases like "service over self-interest," "patriarchy vs. partnership," and "dependency vs. empowerment," to name a few. The main idea is that commitment to the larger community or organization is what creates effective organizational systems, and we inspire that commitment by allowing those involved to create the vision

Love the concept but can it be done?

Would you listen to Stewardship again? Why?

I've listened to it twice and will probably listen to it many more times on my long commute. I love this radical departure from the normal corporate ideology. It's very appealing to an entrepreneur like me who's had to fit herself into the corporate grind after calling my own shots for a few decades. Many, but not all, are hungry for ownership and a share in the rewards and privileges. This will take a lot of willpower and determination to implement, along with a healthy dose of un-indoctrination. Not sure it can be accomplished, but will be fun to try!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Stewardship?

When we take ownership, we give up the luxury of having others take care of us.

What does Michael Toms bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Very low key, laid back presentation. Peaceful voice. I would imagine this is the non-confrontational style that the author would have selected.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes -- didn't take much more than a day or two to finish.

Any additional comments?

Had mixed feelings about the interviews at the end. Interesting the first time through, not something I wanted to listen to again.