One of my favorites interviews of all time!
In the consulting field Peter Block is a giant. His book Flawless Consulting–now in its third edition–taught us how to show up in client relationships with authenticity, rigor, and an eye for potential pitfalls.
Peter also influenced a generation of managers with his book The Empowered Manager. Today, he brings his passion to building local community around people’s assets.
In this interview, Peter and I walk through the trajectory of his career–his earlier years as an ambitious internal consultant, the decision (unusual at the time) to start an external consultancy, how he learned to build relationships with others despite being a self-described “loner,” and the questions and commitments that have pulled him in and shifted how he works.
For a serious conversation about big ideas and a full life, this was a heck of a lot of fun. Enjoy–and share widely!
Highlights
- 5:00 Getting into the field by accident & influence of Chris Argyris
- 12:30 A loner finds connection in Gestalt and T-groups
- 16:30 Early years of restless ambition and almost getting fired
- 22:30 The risks of being authentic
- 25:30 Influence of Werner Erhard, language, and speech acts
- 31:30 The Philippines—working with citizens and loving it
- 37:00 Taking two years off to raise kids
- 42:00 Peter tells me, “You’re amazing. You frighten me.”
- 47:30 Why focus on gifts rather than deficiencies
- 50:30 John McKnight’s work on asset-base community development
- 58:30 Contracting in place-based communities
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Tweet a Quote
Authenticity–putting into words what you see happening–is risky.
–Peter Block Tweet this quote
As soon as you acknowledge your gifts, you become accountable.
–Peter Block Tweet this quote
Explore Additional Resources
- Peter Block’s web site
- Chris Argyris
- T-Groups and Gestalt Therapy
- Flawless Consulting by Peter Block
- The Answer to How is Yes by Peter Block
- Barry Oshry
- Roger Harrison
- Werner Erhard
- John McKnight
- The Abundant Community by Peter Block and John McKnight
- The Careless Society by John McKnight
- Asset-based community development
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