Block, P: Stewardship

Revised and expanded: this classic guide to business leadership presents "an original and profound new view on how to run an organization" (Library Journal). Despite all the evidence calling for change, most organizations still rely on patriarchy and control as their core form of governance. The result is that they stifle initiative and spirit and alienate people from their work. In Stewardship, Peter Block calls for a dramatic shift in how we distribute power, privilege, and the control of money. "Stewardship," he writes, "is the willingness to be accountable for the well-being of the larger organization by operating in service, rather than in control, of those around us." Block has revised and updated the book throughout, including a new introduction addressing what has changed-and what hasn't-in the twenty years since the book was published. It also includes a new chapter on applying stewardship to the common good of the wider community. Speaking in practical terms about how stewardship transforms every function and department for the better, Block also offers tactical advice on gearing up to implement these reforms.

Revised and expanded: this classic guide to business leadership presents “an original and profound new view on how to run an organization” (Library Journal). Despite all the evidence calling for change, most organizations still rely on patriarchy and control as their core form of governance. The result is that they stifle initiative and spirit and alienate people from their work. In Stewardship, Peter Block calls for a dramatic shift in how we distribute power, privilege, and the control of money. “Stewardship,” he writes, “is the willingness to be accountable for the well-being of the larger organization by operating in service, rather than in control, of those around us.” Block has revised and updated the book throughout, including a new introduction addressing what has changed—and what hasn't—in the twenty years since the book was published. It also includes a new chapter on applying stewardship to the common good of the wider community. Speaking in practical terms about how stewardship transforms every function and department for the better, Block also offers tactical advice on gearing up to implement these reforms.

Foreword by Steven PiersantiWelcomeIntroduction to the Second Edition: What Has Changed?It's a Digital WorldWhat Is Good for Business Is Good for the WorldSide EffectsGoods We Can Build UponPART I TRADING YOUR KINGDOM FOR A HORSE 1 Replacing Leadership with Stewardship Something more is requiredThe essence of StewardshipChoosing Partners Choosing Empowerment Choosing Service We Don't Act on What We Know The Leadership Question The Underbelly of Leadership The Stewardship Answer Three Organizational Challenges 2 Choosing Partnership over Patriarchy Creating Order Distributing Ownership and Responsibility Partnership as the Alternative Balancing Power Four Requirements of Partnership 3 Choosing Adventure over Safety The Wish for SafetyEntitlement Is Empowerment Run Aground Choosing Empowerment Stewardship Begins at Home 4 Choosing Service over Self-Interest A Model of Stewardship Teaching Revolution to the Ruling Class The Realm of ManagementRank without Privilege Connecting the Heart and the Wallet The Point PART II THE REDISTRIBUTION OF POWER, PURPOSE, AND WEALTH A Case Study: Sometime Later in the Week 5 Defining the Stewardship Contract Principles for the PracticeThe Stewardship Contract Life in the Balance6 Upsetting Expectations: The Emotional Work of StewardshipThe Trail Is Inside Out Facing the Wish for Dependency and Dominance Freedom's Just Another Word for Escape from FreedomUnstated Emotional Wants: Breaking the Pattern Just Say No I want my mentor7 Redesigning Management Practices and Structures Full Disclosure Management Practices Changing Basic ArchitectureBoss as Banker and Broker8 Rethinking the Role of Staff Functions In the Service of Top Management Police and Conscience to the Line Mandated Supplier Mandated Services Offering Choice and Building Capability Service Guarantee 9 Financial Practices: Creating Accountability with Self-Control The Money Is about control Building Widespread Financial Stewardship Living within the Law 10 Human Resources: Ending the Practice of Paternalism Institutional Caretaker A New Purpose and Role The Structure of Human Resources Human Resource Practices That Support Stewardship 11 Compensation and Performance Evaluation: Overturning the Class System The Divine Right of Kings Pay Reinforces Class Distinctions Performance Not for Sale Rank Individualism Confusing Boss Evaluations with Performance Pay for Empire Reward Systems That Support Stewardship The End of Caretaking PART III THE TRIUMPH OF HOPE OVER EXPERIENCE 12 Cosmetic Reform: When the Disease Becomes the Curenothing is next The Open OfficePatriarchy Recreating Itself13 Recreating Our Organization through Stewardship Stewardship Strategy for Political Reform Steps toward Political ReformA Case Study Continued: The Answer to the Power Company Story, "Sometime Later in the Week" 14 Cynics, Victims and Bystanders The Power of the Cynic Rescuing the Victim Facts Won't Help Treating Caution as a Choice15 The Answer to "How?"How "How?" Is a Defense 16 Stewardship for the Common GoodThe Business PerspectiveThe PointReferencesIndexDesigned Learning The Author The Artist