Turning the Pages of War and Peace

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Bob Adams

In a follow-up to last week’s look at the history of the library, a companion post: the role of books in both shaping conflict and being shaped by conflict (the very appropriate subtitle of the book).

Print, in all its rich variety, will continue to play a part in human interactions through the globe, in war as in peacetime… When books go to war, others stay behind, a reminder of the better times when conflict can be banished to the edge of our consciousness, if never wholly eradicated.
Andrew Pettegree

We tend not to talk about books and war in the same breath – one ranks among humanity’s greatest inventions, the other among its most terrible. But as esteemed literary historian Andrew Pettegree demonstrates, the two are deeply intertwined.

The Book at War explores the various roles that books have played in conflicts throughout the globe. Winston Churchill used a travel guide to plan the invasion of Norway, lonely families turned to libraries while their loved ones were fighting in the trenches, and during the Cold War both sides used books to spread their visions of how the world should be run. As solace or instruction manual, as critique or propaganda, books have shaped modern military history – for both good and ill.

With precise historical analysis and sparkling prose, The Book at War accounts for the power – and the ambivalence – of words at war.

In May 1933, news of widespread book burnings orchestrated by the Nazis in Germany triggered a swift and impassioned response in the United States. Almost 200,000 people took to the streets in cities across the country to protest this censorship. Authors, some of whose works had been burned, strongly condemned the actions. President Franklin D. Roosevelt incorporated the imagery of the smoldering pyres into his speeches, emphasizing the importance of preserving freedom and civil liberties.

Nearly a century later, book burnings during the Nazi era remain a powerful symbol, partly due to their impact at the time. Many Americans saw them as emblematic of the German regime, serving as a forewarning of future atrocities. However, Andrew Pettegree’s extensive cultural history, The Book at War: How Reading Shaped Conflict and Conflict Shaped Reading, reveals a surprising twist. Less than two decades before the Nazi book burnings, during periods of wartime chauvinism, Americans themselves fervently burned German books, with librarians leading the way.

Pettegree, a professor of modern history at Scotland’s University of St Andrews, delves into the intricate relationship between printed media, books, and war. He argues that books have played a crucial role in conditioning readers to expect and support conflicts, serving as carriers of ideology and spoils for victors. Yet, they have also provided solace and solidarity during times of combat, offering comfort to civilians in hiding and soldiers on the front lines.

While Pettegree’s depth of knowledge and skillful storytelling are evident throughout, he reaches a high-water mark when detailing the literary toll of war, providing acute actuarial insights into the destruction of books during World War II. The loss of over 500 million books in Europe, including the ransacking of Jewish libraries and the devastation in Poland, underscores the profound impact on cultural heritage.

A fascinating thread weaves through what Pettegree calls “warrior authors” – the great leaders of the world powers who found themselves in opposition not only on the battlefield, but also on the written page. Here are a few examples:

Winston Churchill – Writing was in his blood; his first autobiography “My Early Life” was from his adventures in India and Africa during Britain’s various wars in the region. Prior to his ascendancy to become Prime Minister, writing and journalism kept him ahead of his mounting debts. After WWII, he would win the Nobel Prize for Literature, for his oratory and historical writing.
Adolf Hitler – The most notorious text of the twentieth century, “Mein Kampf” laid out in remarkable detail his program for Germany and the fate that awaited its enemies. He was also a discerning reader and collector, particularly of architectural and history books, appropriated by American soldiers in 1945 and now in the Library of Congress.
Joseph Stalin – Belying his reputation as crude and uneducated, he was a deeply literate and thoughtful reader and lover of books. His carefully curated library of over 15,000 volumes carried over into his involvement with some of the major writing projects of the Soviet state, influencing a war of ideas in Communist countries around the world.
Charles de Gaulle – A lonely symbol of French defiance during most of WWII, he first came to prominence as an author of aa widely admired text on armored warfare that crossed international boundaries and was quickly translated into both German and Russian.

The Book at War not only examines the destructive power of war on literature but also highlights how books have provided comfort to individuals enduring conflict. The accounts of Allied soldiers receiving cartons of paperbacks after storming Normandy’s beaches and Anne Frank finding solace in books while hiding from the Germans in Amsterdam are particularly poignant. These stories prompt reflection on how books continue to influence those facing conflict today.

On a personal note, my father was a WWII veteran who loved to read. Much later in life – his early 80s – he shared with me both stories and a few books that he had saved from his time in service. In addition, he had a highly curated selection of books by and about some of the great leaders of that generation, particularly Dwight Eisenhower. Upon is passing, I was fortunate to bring several of those into my personal library.

Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader.

During my elementary school years one of the things I looked forward to the most was the delivery of “My Weekly Reader,” a weekly educational magazine designed for children and containing news-based, current events.

It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.

Between the Covers: A Journey Through the Pages of Library History

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Bob Adams

Tuesday is my “Lunch and Learn” day, typically involving a trip to my local library to drop off books I’ve completed and pick up new ones that are available on my hold list. As a long-time user of library facilities, it’s not a surprise that I would read a book about libraries!

Famed across the known world, jealously guarded by private collectors, built up over centuries, destroyed in a single day, ornamented with gold leaf and frescoes, or filled with bean bags and children’s drawings – the history of the library is rich, varied, and stuffed full of incident.

In The Library; A Fragile History, historians Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen introduce us to the antiquarians and philanthropists who shaped the world’s great collections, trace the rise and fall of literary tastes, and reveal the high crimes and misdemeanors committed in pursuit of rare manuscripts. In doing so, they reveal that while collections themselves are fragile, often falling into ruin within a few decades, the idea of the library has been remarkably resilient as each generation makes- and remakes -the institution anew.

Beautifully written and deeply researched, The Library is essential reading for book lovers, collectors, and anyone who has ever gotten blissfully lost in the stacks.

The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree delves into the rich and complex evolution of libraries throughout history. Pettegree skillfully navigates the cultural, social, and technological shifts that have shaped these institutions. The book explores the profound impact of libraries on societies, emphasizing their role as repositories of knowledge and catalysts for intellectual progress.

Pettegree traces the origins of libraries from ancient civilizations to the present day, highlighting key moments of transformation and adaptation. The narrative captures the challenges libraries faced, such as political upheavals, wars, and technological advancements, and how they managed to survive and thrive amidst these changes.

One notable aspect of the book is its attention to the people behind the libraries, from dedicated librarians to visionary leaders who shaped the destiny of these institutions. Pettegree effectively weaves together historical anecdotes, providing a comprehensive and engaging account of the library’s journey.

As a voracious reader with a keen interest in history, I really appreciated the detailed exploration of the evolution of libraries and their pivotal role in preserving and disseminating knowledge. Pettegree’s thorough research and insightful analysis provided detailed explanations and appreciation for good arguments.

Overall, The Library: A Fragile History offers a compelling narrative that aligns with my interests in history and books. It serves as a valuable addition to my reading list, providing a nuanced perspective on the enduring significance of libraries across different eras.

Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader.

It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.

Beyond Signs: Decoding the World of Navigation in “The Wayfinding Handbook”

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Bob Adams

A recent experience by my wife and I highlighted the always present question when you need to go to a new place – how do I get there from here?

Going to the hospital – as a patient, family member, or even just to visit someone – is almost always guaranteed to make you uneasy when it comes to finding your way to your destination. Hospitals are typically complex, multilevel facilities – often built over a span of decades, which means they may have multiple entrances, building styles, and floor levels.

How do you help people find their way in a hospital – or in any other place – or in YOUR place?

People throughout history have gravitated to town centers, market squares, and public places to buy and sell products. Even houses of worship, once set apart as a literal sanctuary from the fray, now sit side by side with busy commercial centers, libraries, schools, restaurants, and residential complexes.

Over time, cities, spaces, complexes and buildings fill up with information, markers, and symbols. Sometimes the results are helpful, but the effect can also be ugly or chaotic, or both. The challenge is to enhance a space – public, commercial, or private – by finding order in chaos without destroying character.

Enter wayfinding.

Great wayfinding systems employ explicit signs and information as well as implicit symbols and landmarks that together communicate with accuracy and immediacy. Over the last thirty years, wayfinding design has matured to become an essential component of buildings and spaces, helping make sense of a sometimes overwhelming task: getting from here to there.

Wayfinding design provides guidance and the means to help people feel at ease in their surroundings.
David Gibson, The Wayfinding Handbook

Where am I? What can I do here? Where can I go from here? How do I get out of here?

Consciously or not, we ask such questions every day as we navigate the places and spaces of our lives.

Whether we find ourselves in a museum, hospital, airport, mall, or street in an unfamiliar city, we depend on systems of visual, audible, and tactile cues not only to lead the way, but also to keep us safe. They are the fundamental questions of wayfinding – a process that encompasses both the experience of choosing a path within a built environment and the set of design elements that aid in such a decision.

Not long ago, the professional practice of wayfinding design simply involved devising sign systems. Today, the field is much broader and continues to expand to address technological developments – kinetic media, GPS systems, web connectivity, smart materials – as well as cultural changes in areas such as branding and environmental awareness. Similarly, a cross-disciplinary familiarity with graphic, architectural, landscape, interior, industrial, and information design has become an essential requirement of twenty-first-century wayfinding design.

The Wayfinding Handbook by professional wayfinding designer David Gibson draws on more than thirty years of experience collaborating with architects, planners, developers, managers, and civic leaders to offer an insider’s view of this rapidly evolving discipline. Using real-life examples, Gibson illustrates the way type, color, mapmaking, dimensional forms, material selection, and new media are used to create effective wayfinding systems.

The Wayfinding Handbook is a complete guide to the discipline, from planning and design to practical considerations, such as setting up teams and managing projects. “Other Voices” sidebars, presented throughout the book, reveal the opinions of experts who plan, manage, and shape wayfinding projects. A comprehensive bibliography and gallery of resources round out what is likely to become the go-to resource for students, professionals, or anyone charged with designing peoplefriendly, universally accessible environments.

The Wayfinding Handbook by David Gibson is a comprehensive guide that delves into the intricate art of wayfinding – the science and design of helping people navigate through spaces efficiently. The book covers various aspects of this field, providing insights into signage, environmental cues, and user experience.

Gibson starts by exploring the historical evolution of wayfinding, tracing its roots and development over time. He then delves into the psychology of navigation, emphasizing the importance of understanding how individuals perceive and interpret spatial information. The author skillfully combines theory with practical applications, offering a well-rounded approach suitable for both novices and professionals in design, architecture, and urban planning.

One notable strength of the book lies in its inclusion of case studies and real-world examples, illustrating successful wayfinding solutions and analyzing their effectiveness. This practical dimension enhances the reader’s understanding and provides valuable insights for implementing similar strategies in diverse contexts.

Gibson’s writing style is accessible, making complex concepts in wayfinding easily understandable. The book is highly organized, progressing logically from foundational principles to advanced topics. Each chapter builds upon the previous, creating a cohesive learning experience.

As someone deeply interested in hospitality and the user experience, I appreciated how The Wayfinding Handbook aligned with my passion for creating welcoming environments. The book not only addresses the functional aspects of wayfinding but also recognizes its role in enhancing the overall experience of spaces, especially with respect to all things hospitality.

In conclusion, The Wayfinding Handbook by David Gibson is a valuable resource for anyone involved in the design and use of physical spaces. Its blend of theory, practical examples, and a user-centric approach makes it a recommended read for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader.

It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.

Building Connections: The Rich Tapestry of Literal and Metaphorical Bridges

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Bob Adams

Envision a world where bridges do not exist. Picture major cities like London, Paris, and Rome without convenient pathways across the Thames, the Seine, and the Tiber. Visualize Manhattan as an isolated island, lacking solid connections over the Hudson and East rivers.

Consider San Francisco without road access across the gate to the north and the bay to the east. Imagine Pittsburgh without any bridges spanning the Allegheny and the Monongahela rivers. Picture Chicago without its substantial lift – and drawbridges, or Amsterdam without its more modest canal crossings. Envision Seattle without its lengthy, low floating bridges, or St. Petersburg without its soaring cable-stayed structure stretching over Tampa Bay.

The association between bridges and cities is profound, particularly because many of our greatest cities emerged where they are due to their proximity to water. Settlements along rivers and bays, often at crucial river crossings, have played a significant role in the growth of cities. Cambridge, an ancient English city dating back to Roman times, owes its existence to a bridge over the navigable River Cam. Oxford, another venerable English city, derived its name from being a crossing point of the Thames.

Reflect on the prevalence of water-related words like “port,” “bay,” and “haven” in the names of many cities and towns. Additionally, numerous states share names with the rivers that either border or bisect them.

Now, think about iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge spanning anything other than the Golden Gate itself. The location, design, proportions, scale, and color of the bridge seem perfectly suited for the site. Can you even imagine any other bridge between San Francisco and Marin County? Could a replica of the Brooklyn Bridge or a smaller version of the Golden Gate Bridge have been envisioned for different locations? Engineers must engage in this type of questioning and imagination before constructing any bridge. Early proposals for bridges in New York and San Francisco looked drastically different from the familiar structures we know today.

Bridges define the entrances to cities, and crossing or passing under some of the world’s great spans is an unforgettable experience. They serve as landmarks and guideposts for travelers, shaping first impressions of cities. Even small, anonymous highway bridges, though less famous, are crucial to local traffic. The engineers who design monumental bridges often begin by working on smaller ones, making them training grounds for ambitious dreams. Every bridge, regardless of size, is not just a functional structure but also an aesthetic and environmental statement.

Despite their significance, our thoughts about bridges often fade once they are open, taken for granted after grand celebrations. However, bridges, like people, are affected by their environment and face wear and tear from traffic, pollution, neglect, and aging. Regular maintenance, inspections, and a recognition of their limits are essential. Unfortunately, neglecting these aspects has led to approximately one in five American bridges being labeled structurally deficient.

Understanding the stories behind our bridges not only fosters a deeper appreciation for their rich history but also provides insight into the humanity of engineers and the field of engineering. It encourages greater pride in the contribution of bridges to our physical and cultural infrastructure and emphasizes the responsibility to maintain them. Imagine a world without bridges, and you’ll realize the immense impact these structures have on our lives.

In Engineers of Dreams, Henry Petroski reveals the science and engineering – not to mention the politics, egotism, and sheer magic – behind America’s great bridges, particularly those constructed during the great bridge-building era starting in the 1870s and continuing through the 1930s. It is the story of the men and women who built the St. Louis, the George Washington, and the Golden Gate bridges, drawing not only on their mastery of numbers but on their gifts for persuasion and self-promotion. It is an account of triumphs and ignominious disasters (including the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which literally twisted itself apart in a high wind). And throughout this grandly engaging book, Petroski lets us see how bridges became the “symbols and souls” of our civilization, as well as testaments to their builders’ vision, ingenuity, and perseverance.

When you delve into the rich tapestry of bridges, it’s essential to appreciate their multifaceted significance throughout history and their tangible impact on human connectivity. Bridges, both literal and metaphorical, have stood as testaments to human ingenuity, overcoming physical barriers and fostering connections. From ancient structures like the Roman arch bridges to modern engineering marvels such as suspension bridges and cable-stayed spans, each iteration tells a story of innovation and the human desire to traverse obstacles. However, the essence of bridges extends beyond their structural prowess. Metaphorically, the concept of bridges has woven itself into the fabric of our language, serving as a symbol for forging connections, overcoming challenges, and navigating transitions. Let’s explore the myriad ways in which the metaphorical resonance of “bridges” enriches our understanding of relationships, communication, and personal growth across various domains.

The metaphor of “bridges” is widely used across various contexts, symbolizing connections, transitions, and relationships. Here’s a brief listing of the use of “bridges” as a metaphor:

Connecting Generations: The term “bridging the generation gap” is often used to describe efforts to foster understanding and collaboration between different age groups.

Building Relationships: “Building bridges” is a metaphor for establishing and strengthening connections between individuals or groups, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding.

Navigating Transitions: “Crossing a bridge” is a metaphor for going through a transition or overcoming challenges. It represents a journey from one state to another.

Overcoming Obstacles: “Bridging obstacles” signifies finding solutions and overcoming difficulties, emphasizing resilience and problem-solving.

Cultural Integration: In multicultural contexts, “bridging cultures” refers to efforts to promote understanding and harmony between different cultural groups.

Career Development:”Building a career bridge” is a metaphor for strategic planning and actions taken to advance one’s professional life, moving from one stage to another.

Knowledge Transfer: In the context of mentoring, the term “knowledge bridge” is used to describe the transfer of expertise from experienced individuals to those seeking to learn.

Communication: “Bridging the communication gap” is a common phrase used to highlight efforts to improve understanding and convey messages effectively.

Innovation and Technology: “Bridging innovation” is a metaphor for connecting existing technologies or ideas to create something new and groundbreaking.

Emotional Connections: “Building emotional bridges” is used to describe efforts to establish and maintain meaningful connections on an emotional level.

Mind-Body Connection: “Bridging the mind and body” is a metaphor for achieving harmony and balance between mental and physical well-being.

Education and Learning: ”Bridging knowledge gaps” signifies efforts to enhance learning and understanding, especially in educational settings.

Final Action: “Burning your bridges” forces you to continue with a particular course of action, and makes it impossible for you to return to an earlier situation or relationship.

Drastic Act: Going a “bridge too far” is to pursue something difficult to achieve, often with serious consequences.

These metaphors illustrate the versatility of the “bridge” concept, showcasing its relevance in diverse areas of life and thought.

What use of a “bridge” metaphor would you add to this short (and incomplete) list?

A brief note about this article:

Perhaps the most challenging of all types of reading is syntopical reading, which applies the analytical skills across a multitude of texts. Syntopical reading aims to compare books and authors to one another, to model dialogues between authors that may not be in any one of the books.

The ultimate aim is to understand all the conflicting viewpoints relating to a subject. It’s not to devise your own synthetic answer, as this would merely be an entry into the literature, rather than an understanding of what already exists.

I’m a big proponent of syntopical reading, and at any given time I have a half-dozen or more syntopical collections in progress. The concepts of Bridges in both reality and metaphor is one of my long-standing ones, and one that I will continue to revisit from time to time.

Long-time readers of this site will undoubtably recognize a few more: Modern Elderhood, Disney history, hospitality, and culinary history and practices, for example.

Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader.

It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.

The Real Work: Navigating Mastery Across Diverse Disciplines

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Bob Adams

For decades now, Adam Gopnik has been one of our most beloved writers, a brilliantly perceptive critic of art, food, France, and more. But recently, he became obsessed by a more fundamental matter, one he had often meditated on in The New Yorker: How do masters learn their miraculous skill, whether it was drawing museum-ready art or baking a perfect sourdough loaf? How could anyone become so good at anything? There seemed to be a fundamental mystery to mastery. Was it possible to unravel it?

In The Real Work – the term magicians use for the accumulated craft that makes for a great trick – Gopnik becomes a dedicated student of several masters of their craft: a classical painter, a boxer, a dancing instructor, a driving instructor, and others. Rejecting self-help bromides and bullet points, he nevertheless shows that the top people in any field share a set of common qualities and methods. For one, their mastery is always a process of breaking down and building up – of identifying and perfecting the small constituent parts of a skill and the combining them for an overall effect greater than the sum of those parts. For another, mastery almost always involves intentional imperfection – as in music, where vibrato, a way of not quite landing on the right note, carries maximum expressiveness. Gopnik’s simplest and most invigorating lesson, however, is that we are surrounded by mastery. Far from rare, mastery is commonplace, if we only know where to look: from the parent who can whip up a professional strudel to the social worker who – in one of the most personally revealing passages Gopnik has ever written – helps him master his own demons.

Spirited and profound, The Real Work will help you understand how mastery can happen in your own life – and, significantly, why each of us relentlessly seeks to better ourselves in the first place.

Adam Gopnik explores the concept of mastery across various skills such as drawing, dancing, and driving. Using the term “real work” from stage magicians, Gopnik delves into the meticulous craftsmanship and technical expertise required to make a great magic trick truly outstanding. He emphasizes that the one credited with achieving the “real work” isn’t necessarily the inventor but the one who masters every detail of its execution.

Structured around Gopnik’s interactions with practitioners of different crafts, the book unfolds as a celebration of human flaws. Three key themes emerge:

Mastery is the gradual assembly of fragments into a harmonious whole.
Mastery is about humanity, not perfection, appreciating the vulnerability within virtuosity.
Mastery is found in real lives, not abstract life rules.

Gopnik becomes an apprentice in various disciplines, from drawing to driving, to grasp the essence of mastery. He discusses the slow process of carpentering fragments, emphasizing the importance of learning each small step. Mastery, he argues, is not about impressing the public but about a democratic achievement that we all can attain.

The author explores drawing with a realist artist, magic with renowned magicians, and driving with an instructor who emphasizes relaxation. Through these experiences, Gopnik weaves in reflections on representational art, childhood, aging, and the intricate balance between learned virtuosity and unique vulnerability.

The book takes a poignant turn as Gopnik addresses the limited time we have on Earth, emphasizing that mastery is not transcendent but deeply personal. He contends that what truly matters is not impressing the masses but achieving mastery for ourselves and a few close individuals. In Gopnik’s view, mastery is democratic and attainable by all, a reflection of our varied and capable selves.

Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader.

It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.

From Curiosity to Connection: Building Belonging in Daily Interactions

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Bob Adams

Discover the secret to flourishing in an age of division: belonging. In a world filled with discord and loneliness, finding harmony and happiness can be difficult. But what if the key to unlocking our potential lies in this deceptively simple concept? Belonging is the feeling of being a part of a group that values, respects, and cares for us―a feeling that we can all cultivate in even the smallest corners of social life.

In Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divid es, Stanford University professor Geoffrey L. Cohen draws on his own and others’ groundbreaking scientific research to offer simple, concrete solutions for fostering a sense of belonging. These solutions can generate surprisingly significant and long-lasting benefits.

Small but powerful actions can bolster belonging―actions such as encouraging people to reflect on their core values before they face a challenge or expressing belief in someone’s capacity to reach a higher standard. A wide range of innovative approaches have been found to boost achievement at work and at school, bridge political divides, reduce prejudice, and even contribute to overall health. Rigorously tested in diverse arenas―from classrooms to disadvantaged neighborhoods to iconic Silicon Valley companies―these methods offer a path forward in these demanding times.

Belonging is a compelling read for all who yearn for a more connected world, whether you’re a manager or employee, an educator or student, a parent or caregiver, or simply someone seeking to make the most out of every moment you spend with others. Packed with actionable insights and specific strategies, this book offers hope and practical guidance, serving as both an inspiration and a roadmap to creating a world of inclusion, understanding, and empathy.

The science of situation-crafting provides valuable insights into our ability to cultivate a sense of connection and belonging in our lives. This situational literacy empowers us to face challenges that may threaten our sense of belonging. Here’s a core set of practices derived from Belonging that will provide insights to actively build belonging in our daily interactions.

1. Ask Questions and Listen: Appreciating the depth of individuals’ experiences through genuine curiosity is a powerful bond builder. By actively seeking perspectives and understanding people’s circumstances, we can provide more meaningful support and strengthen connections.

2. Give Your Perspective: Sharing our own stories and perspectives complements the need to understand others. Articulating the reasons behind our views can prevent stereotyping. Expressing dissent should be done with courtesy, signaling intent and allowing others the space to accommodate diverse viewpoints.

3. Be Polite: Politeness, a universal protocol, signifies respect for others. Simple acts like not interrupting, using “please” and “thank you,” and apologizing when necessary contribute to recognizing the belonging of others.

4. Affirmation: Creating opportunities for individuals to express themselves and feel valued is crucial. Affirmation goes beyond vapid praise, focusing on allowing people to share their commitments and values, reinforcing their sense of self.

5. Avoid Authoritarian Language: Acknowledging diverse perspectives by expressing ambivalence and actively learning about opposing views builds rapport. Signaling intentions before giving critical feedback fosters an atmosphere of concern and respect instead of dictation.

6. Use the Nonverbal Channel: Nonverbal cues such as nodding, smiling, and making eye contact convey interest and respect. However, authenticity is key, as coming across as fake can be counterproductive. Genuine nonverbal expressions enhance bonding.

7. Handle Yourself with Care: Being in the right mental and emotional state is crucial for meaningful interactions. Cultivating personal belonging allows us to navigate social situations thoughtfully, especially in challenging times, avoiding conformity to harmful stereotypes and norms.

8. Craft Your Situations with Care: Recognizing the entanglement of our identity with our environment, we can actively self-craft by situation-crafting. Acting as gatekeepers for social influences, cultivating a rich social life, and staying true to our values contribute to fostering belonging.

Conclusion

Building belonging is an ongoing practice that requires awareness and dedication. By incorporating these core practices into our daily lives, we can create positive interactions and strengthen connections. Small gestures and moments of connection have lasting effects, inspiring and empowering both ourselves and others. Let us embrace the magic of situation-crafting to make every situation a little better for everyone involved.

Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader.

It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.

You Can’t Lead Well Without Serving

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Bob Adams

It takes leaders to make more leaders.

As a leader, you are not out to create followers, but to discover, disciple, and distribute more and better leaders throughout your organization.

Let’s take the simple but accurate path of dividing people into two groups – leaders and followers. Followers don’t develop leaders – they follow them. Only leaders can develop more leaders.

The odds are high that you have someone on your team that is now only a follower – but you recognize potential in them. You want them to become the leader you already see in them.

THE QUICK SUMMARY – The Secret: What Great Leaders Know and Do by Mark Miller and Ken Blanchard

In this new edition of their classic business fable, Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller get at the heart of what makes a leader successful. Newly promoted but struggling young executive Debbie Brewster asks her mentor the one question she desperately needs answered: “What is the secret of great leaders?” His reply—“great leaders serve”—flummoxes her, but over time he reveals the five fundamental ways that leaders succeed through service. Along the way she learns:

• Why great leaders seem preoccupied with the future
• How people on the team ultimately determine your success or failure
• What three arenas require continuous improvement
• Why true success in leadership has two essential components
• How to knowingly strengthen—or unwittingly destroy—leadership credibility

The tenth anniversary edition includes a leadership self-assessment so readers can measure to what extent they lead by serving and where they can improve. The authors also have added answers to the most frequently asked questions about how to apply the SERVE model in the real world.

As practical as it is uplifting, The Secret shares Blanchard’s and Miller’s wisdom about leadership in a form that anyone can easily understand and implement. This book will benefit not only those who read it but also the people who look to them for guidance and the organizations they serve.

A SIMPLE SOLUTION

If you are looking for the latest techniques to help you coerce people to do what you say, you will not find any such techniques in the broad category of servant leadership.

Servant leadership is not a strategy or shortcut to success. Servant leadership is a long journey, leading with people as you add value to them by putting their interests ahead of your own.

Creating culture always starts with the organization leader, and it is no different in your church. If you are going to create a culture in which leaders SERVE, you are going to have to demonstrate these five principles first.

A person can serve without leading, but a leader can’t lead well without serving.

Five Strategic Ways Great Leaders SERVE

See and shape the future. Leadership always begins with a picture of the future. Leaders who cannot paint a compelling picture of a preferred future are in jeopardy of forfeiting their leadership. Clarity will often come in the midst of activity. If you are stuck, get moving. When the vision is clear and compelling, it will create life, energy, and momentum.

Engage and develop others. Engagement is about creating the context for people to thrive. Low engagement of your teams is not an indictment of the workers; it is the leaders who need to make a change. We believe leaders who are not proactively developing others are missing a vital aspect of their role.

Reinvent continuously. To make progress, to move forward, to accomplish bigger and better, something has to change. There are three arenas of change:

Self – How are you reinventing yourself?

Systems – Which work processes need to change to generate better results?

Structure – What structural changes could you make to better enable the accomplishments of your goals?

Value results and relationships. Virtual every leader has a natural bias toward one or the other of these. While not bad, that bias can limit your effectiveness. The best leaders value both and manage the tension between them.

Embody the values. People watch leaders, looking for clues regarding what’s important to the leaders. They are also trying to determine if the leader is trustworthy.

Mark Miller and Ken Blanchard, The Secret: What Great Leaders Know and Do

A NEXT STEP

At your next team meeting, write the five SERVE statements from above on separate chart tablets.

On a scale of 1 (I don’t do this at all) to 5 (I consistently do this), ask your team to individually (and privately) to rate themselves.

Next, have a group discussion, asking for a consensus rating using the same scale above on how your team is taking these actions.

Next, list as many specific and concrete actions that demonstrate each particular action. After you have completed this action, ask the group for a consensus decision on the top three in each category, and circle them.

Finally, ask what actions are missing from each list. Discuss how these actions can become a part of your team’s regular practices.

Excerpt taken from SUMS Remix 95-3

Beyond Comfort Zones: The Power Strangers Hold from Random Encounters to Life-Changing Moments

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Bob Adams

In our cities, we stand in silence at the pharmacy and in check-out lines at the grocery store, distracted by our phones, barely acknowledging one another, even as rates of loneliness skyrocket. Online, we retreat into ideological silos reinforced by algorithms designed to serve us only familiar ideas and like-minded users. In our politics, we are increasingly consumed by a fear of people we’ve never met. But what if strangers—so often blamed for our most pressing political, social, and personal problems—are actually the solution?

In The Power of Strangers, Joe Keohane sets out on a journey to discover what happens when we bridge the distance between us and people we don’t know. He learns that while we’re wired to sometimes fear, distrust, and even hate strangers, people and societies that have learned to connect with strangers benefit immensely. Digging into a growing body of cutting-edge research on the surprising social and psychological benefits that come from talking to strangers, Keohane finds that even passing interactions can enhance empathy, happiness, and cognitive development, ease loneliness and isolation, and root us in the world, deepening our sense of belonging. And all the while, Keohane gathers practical tips from experts on how to talk to strangers, and tries them out himself in the wild, to awkward, entertaining, and frequently poignant effect.

The Power of Strangers by Joe Keohane is a thought-provoking exploration of the impact that interactions with strangers can have on our lives. Keohane delves into the psychology of how we perceive and connect with people we don’t know, emphasizing the influence strangers have on our decision-making and behavior.

The book takes readers on a journey through various aspects of human connection, from the significance of chance encounters to the role of strangers in shaping our opinions and beliefs. Keohane skillfully weaves together anecdotes, scientific research, and real-world examples to illustrate the profound ways in which strangers shape our experiences.

One of the strengths of the book is its ability to challenge preconceived notions about strangers, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of these interactions. Keohane argues that embracing the power of strangers can lead to personal growth, expanded perspectives, and unexpected opportunities.

The writing is engaging and accessible, making complex psychological concepts accessible to a broad audience. Keohane’s exploration of the subject matter is both thorough and detailed, aligning with your preference for detailed explanations.

In summary, The Power of Strangers offers a compelling perspective on the often-overlooked influence that strangers have on our lives. It encourages readers to reevaluate their perceptions and appreciate the richness that comes from engaging with those outside our immediate circles.

Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader.

It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.

Reading Between the Ears: Synoptical Reading, Leadership, and the Magic of Disney

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Bob Adams

Reading is a passion I treasure, and one that I am thankful my father instilled in me.

I love (and practice) the 4 different levels of reading as espoused by Mortimer Adler in his great book, How to Read a Book, but I really like to latch onto a topic and practice synoptical reading. Also known as comparative reading, it is where many books are read, and placed in relation to one another and to a subject about which they all revolve.

For many years, an ongoing topic of synoptical reading has been about Walt Disney (the man) and the “kingdom” he founded.

Under the watchful eye of Engineer Mickey, here’s my new stack of Disney reading that I’m kicking off 2024:

The Art of Walt Disney (Disney 100 Celebration Edition)
Disney Book of Maps: A Guide to the Magical Worlds of Disney Animation
Drawing 100 Years of Disney Wonder
The Disney Book (Disney 100 Edition)
Hyperion Historical Alliance Annual 2023
Disney 100 Storybook Collection
Disney, Culture, and Curriculum
Disneyland Historical Highlights: 1954-1972
The Mouse That Roared
Disney Magic: Business Strategy You Can Use at Work and Home

A wonderful collection of older books recently acquired, revised editions celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary, and brand new works, these books will provide hours of amazing insight into the Disney story.

With these acquisitions, my Disney library is approaching 500 volumes, dating from 1939 to current releases – and I’m still actively researching the subject, regularly discovering new authors and books.

I get it, I really do. Some people think that using anything associated with Walt Disney and the company he created, as it exists today, to illustrate practices for leaders - especially church leaders -is wrong.

I respectfully disagree.

Churches need to look at sources of excellence in any area that can help them fulfill their mission and vision.

In the area of Hospitality and Guest Experiences, there are many great organizations that excel at customer service or guest services. Most of them learned it from a single source.

There is only one organization, in my opinion, that consistently delivers exceptional Guest Experiences, continually upping their game.

That organization is the Walt Disney Company.

Another objection I often hear: “Sure, Disney does a good job; they have a bazillion dollars to spend on keeping Guests happy.” Yes, they do – and I’ve contributed my own share to that bazillion!

But I encourage you to look beyond what you see to the PRINCIPLE behind the action or practice, and more often than not you will find something that you can apply in your organization.

In other words, Excellence Scales.

That’s why I’m reading these books!

#wednesdayweeklyreader #disney #books #bookstagram #reading

Part of a regular series on 27gen, entitled Wednesday Weekly Reader.

It became a regular part of my love for reading, and helped develop my curiosity about the world around us.

The World is Your Burger: A Global Gastronomic Adventure

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Bob Adams

The World is Your Burger by David Michaels is a culinary masterpiece that takes readers on a mouthwatering journey through the global history of the iconic hamburger. In this delectable book, Michaels delves into the origin of the hamburger and its remarkable evolution from a simple sandwich to a worldwide phenomenon. The narrative unfolds like a gourmet feast, with each chapter serving up a different facet of this beloved culinary creation.

Celebrate the classic hamburger with this unprecedented collection of essays, photographs, and ephemera – a colorful look at the burger’s origins and impact, assembled by a true burgerphile whose passion has taken him around the globe. Perfect for home cooks and pop-culture addicts alike, the book is chock-full of original research, exclusive interviews with culinary icons, never-before-seen archival photographs from brands such as McDonald’s and White Castle, and twelve delicious recipes.

Michaels begins with the humble beginnings of the hamburger, tracing its roots back to the streets of 19th-century America. He vividly describes the bustling atmosphere of food vendors and immigrants, where ground meat patties sandwiched between slices of bread became a quick and satisfying meal for the masses.

As the book progresses, readers are transported to various corners of the globe, each chapter dedicated to a different country’s unique take on the burger. Picture the sizzle of Brazilian churrascarias, where succulent beef patties are grilled to perfection and served with a mouthwatering array of toppings. Taste the tangy flavors of India’s spicy masala burger, a delightful fusion of traditional Indian spices and Western fast food.

With each turn of the page, The World is Your Burger explores the cultural, culinary, and even political significance of this beloved dish. Michaels skillfully weaves in anecdotes, historical facts, and interviews with burger aficionados and experts, creating a rich tapestry of burger lore that engages the senses and the intellect.

The author doesn’t shy away from discussing the burger’s impact on modern society and the food industry. Readers are invited to ponder questions of sustainability, ethics, and the ever-evolving quest for the perfect patty. Michaels offers a balanced perspective, allowing readers to savor the burger’s history while also considering its future in an increasingly food-conscious world.

The World is Your Burger is a culinary treasure trove that combines meticulous research with a passion for the subject matter. David Michaels’s writing is as flavorful as the burgers he describes, painting vivid pictures of the people, places, and flavors that have shaped this global culinary icon.

One of the book’s strengths is its ability to appeal to both casual food enthusiasts and serious gastronomes. It’s a delightful read for anyone who appreciates a good burger, whether from a neighborhood joint or a high-end restaurant. The book’s exploration of international burger variations is a delightful reminder of the burger’s adaptability and its ability to reflect the unique culinary cultures of different regions.

Michaels’s thoughtful consideration of the burger’s environmental and ethical implications adds depth to the narrative. He encourages readers to think beyond the bun and consider the broader implications of our food choices. This thoughtful approach elevates “The World is Your Burger” beyond a mere culinary history and turns it into a thought-provoking exploration of our relationship with food.

In conclusion, The World is Your Burger is a must-read for anyone with an appetite for history, culture, and, of course, delicious burgers. David Michaels has crafted a literary masterpiece that not only celebrates the hamburger’s past and present but also leaves readers pondering its place in the future of global cuisine. Whether you’re a burger aficionado or a curious culinary explorer, this book will leave you hungry for more knowledge about the world of burgers.

With today’s post, I’m bringing this part of my #BurgerQuest journey to a close.

Since June I’m looked a the history of the hamburger, the various ingredients that go into a great burger, and the best-known books that detail the development of hamburger restaurants across the country. You can take a look at all those posts from the list below.

While I may not be writing about them as much, you can be sure I will continue eating hamburgers!