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Thought Leaders Unpacked -> The Answer to How is Yes #7: Claiming Full Citizenship

thought-leadersThis is the chapter my soul has been waiting for.

While the process of “growing up” didn’t sit well with Block, it describes my internal state incredibly well.

I can feel the tension between complaining that positional leaders don’t see me on the one hand, and simply, freely, and boldly taking action on my values, convictions and ideas on the other.

I can also feel the personal grief and internal resistance to Block’s assertion that growing up involves accepting “that living out our values and also winning the approval of those who have power over us, is an unfulfillable longing.”

I don’t know where that “longing” comes from, but I can recognize it in myself.

This is what I love about reading together. I get the opportunity to recognize in the vocabulary, experiences, and frames of reference of others what I have up until now not been seeing in myself.

Block points to a different sort of maturity here. I would call is a form of poise. A centeredness. A peace about who I am and how different I am from most everyone around me.

The significance of this poise is that suffices for taking bold action regardless of the opinions of the dominant culture and leaders around me.

As attractive a vision of maturity and activism as I find this, I must admit to a lingering nervousness about the implications of embracing responsibility for my own contribution.

I think I’ve already had enough criticism, blank stares, and isolation to not be naive about the cost of continuing forward.

I feel challenged and encouraged nonetheless. Block has provided insightful vocabulary and frames of reference that resonates deeply, and give me a foundation from which to launch (yet again.)

Where is your “growing up” edge? Where do you catch yourself complaining instead of contributing?

What was you main take-away from this chapter?

On your side,

– Karl Edwards

Each week I post my reflections from one chapter of The Answer to How is Yes by Peter Block. My reflections are my own and are intended to generate conversation, catalyze additional thinking and encourage mutual learning.
If you are just joining the discussion now, welcome! Catch up on the entire series here.


Here's My Thought...


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