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The Power of Us: How we connect, act and innovate together
‘PUT THIS ON EVERY LEADER’S DESK NOW! ’ Jack Milner, Executive Coach Fans of Matthew Syed, Angela Duckworth, Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, Timothy Ferris and Malcolm Gladwell should read The Power of Us now! Why do some organisations thrive while others seem paralysed by inaction? How do we become more innovative? The Power of Us is the result of a three-year journey around the world seeking out highly successful companies from BrewDog and Patagonia to inner city schools and renewable energy co-ops to find the answers. Cultivating people-powered innovation enables everyone to collaboratively work to figure things out. We just need to nurture the mindset and culture that makes innovation an everyday occurrence. Consultant, global thought leader and author David Price shows you how with a practical toolkit of ideas centred on 8 key T rust and Transparency E ngagement and Equity A utonomy and Agency M astery and Meaning Thought-provoking and incisive, The Power of Us is an urgent call for leaders, teams and individuals to challenge the status quo, transform our lives and rebuild a better world for the future. Praise for The Power of Us : ‘ Brilliant… If you only read one book this year, make it this one .’ Jamie Smith, CEO C-Learning ‘One of the most important titles of our time on one of the most important topics of our time. ’ Jeff Ikler, Getting Unstuck podcast ‘ Packed with fascinating case studies showing that innovation often comes from unexpected places and is the result of ordinary people who are willing to go against the grain. Essential reading if you want to imagine a better future and get inspired .’ Sam Conniff Allende & Alex Barker, Be More Pirate ‘…the closest thing we're going to get to a single handbook … of all of the things that we need to do and consider as organisations and leaders … Funny, helpful and engaging and full of actionable ideas and anecdotes. Do yourself and your organisation a favour and read this book !’ Dave Coplin, CEO Envisioneers Ltd ‘Whether you lead thousands or are looking to make a personal contribution to the planet, The Power of Us … is for us !’ Peter Hutton, Director, Future Schools Alliance ‘ Thought-provoking and incisive … an urgent call for leaders, teams and individuals to challenge the status quo .’ Tom vander Ark, CEO Getting Smart ‘ Truly inspired… A magnificent learning book for now. ’ Garry Ridge, CEO & Chair, WD-40 Company ‘ A book of our time … will inspire you, drive you and ultimately connect us all. ’ Dr Richard Gerver; speaker, author, educator ‘The Power of Us is the first book that captures the cultural forces that power innovation, the structural elements to fuel people power , and the tool-kit to nurture mass innovation .’ Annalie Killian, sparks & honey
340 pages, Paperback
Published August 25, 2020
44 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
David Price
6 books12 followersDavid Price, OBE, is a speaker, author, trainer, advisor. For the past 15 years, David has written, talked and advised on some of the biggest challenges facing business, education and society: solving the problems of employee, student and civic disengagement; maximising our potential to be creative, innovative and fulfilled citizens, and understanding the global shift towards open organisations, and systems of learning. In 2009 he was awarded the O.B.E. By Her Majesty the Queen. For services to education. his first book, OPEN: How We'LL Work, Live And Learn In The Future, was published in 2013. Goodreads members voted it the most influential education book in 2014. Sir Ken Robinson wrote that 'from every perspective OPEN will open your mind to some of the real implications of digital technologies for how we live and learn in the 21st century'.
In 2017, David edited and contributed to Education Foward: Moving Schools Into The Future, published by Crux, as a manifesto for change in education
in 2020, Thread published his most recent book, The Power Of Us: How We connect, Act, And Innovate Together.
David is an international advisor for the Mastery Transcript Consortium in the USA, Vega Schools in India, and the Canadian Educators Association. He lives happily with his wife and dog in North Rigton, North Yorkshire, chosen mainly because it is home to the Square & Compass pub. The best pub in the world.
Website: www.davidpriceobe.com
Twitter:@davidpriceobe
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidpriceobe/
For literary enquiries: The Viney Agency charlie@thevineyagency.com
For speaking enquiries: Maria Franzoni Ltd Tel:+44 (0)20 3384 3664 www.mariafranzoni.com
In 2017, David edited and contributed to Education Foward: Moving Schools Into The Future, published by Crux, as a manifesto for change in education
in 2020, Thread published his most recent book, The Power Of Us: How We connect, Act, And Innovate Together.
David is an international advisor for the Mastery Transcript Consortium in the USA, Vega Schools in India, and the Canadian Educators Association. He lives happily with his wife and dog in North Rigton, North Yorkshire, chosen mainly because it is home to the Square & Compass pub. The best pub in the world.
Website: www.davidpriceobe.com
Twitter:@davidpriceobe
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidpriceobe/
For literary enquiries: The Viney Agency charlie@thevineyagency.com
For speaking enquiries: Maria Franzoni Ltd Tel:+44 (0)20 3384 3664 www.mariafranzoni.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 21, 2024
To begin with the positive comments, there are a lot of really good, inspiring stories in the book, that mostly share what the author calls user innovation pattern. I quite like the concept of that, and there is definitely something to learn there, that can be applied in variety of situations.
On the other hand, the book has confirmation bias written all over it. Unfortunately, I dont think the research was done properly, as the author only looked at successful companies, and tried to find common pattern. That by no means guarantees that there aren't thousands of companies that share the same principles and values, but are not successful for whatever reason. Hence, I can't really truly buy what the author is trying to sell.
Additionally, he's tried to develop some terminology and rigor around his theory of user innovation, but I wouldn't say that has been a huge success. It's rather broad and confusing and it's hardly any useful, if it were not for the nice stories I mentioned above.
Nevertheless, if you are looking for some inspiration or some nice stories about ambitious people, that book is quite good.
On the other hand, the book has confirmation bias written all over it. Unfortunately, I dont think the research was done properly, as the author only looked at successful companies, and tried to find common pattern. That by no means guarantees that there aren't thousands of companies that share the same principles and values, but are not successful for whatever reason. Hence, I can't really truly buy what the author is trying to sell.
Additionally, he's tried to develop some terminology and rigor around his theory of user innovation, but I wouldn't say that has been a huge success. It's rather broad and confusing and it's hardly any useful, if it were not for the nice stories I mentioned above.
Nevertheless, if you are looking for some inspiration or some nice stories about ambitious people, that book is quite good.
July 10, 2021
A management book strongly infused with social activism, and an ultimately optimistic tone.
Price takes the temperature of key developments in our (mostly western) societies and singles out a number of businesses, institutions and social organisations that represent examples of effective responses to his findings.
As such, The Power of Us is essentially a compendium of case studies, bracketed by Price’s views on why they are relevant. The book is structured in six parts, including a toolkit for readers to go off and ‘do it themselves’. There is a strong emphasis on intangibles that foster successful participative experiences - purpose, motivation, trust and so on, and why they work well.
In breaking down management styles, Price is interestingly flattering to architects (I am one), or at least “architectural leadership”. Perhaps architects themselves should have a read to remind themselves of their own good qualities, or at least their potential to embody them.
The lasting impression - hope.
Price takes the temperature of key developments in our (mostly western) societies and singles out a number of businesses, institutions and social organisations that represent examples of effective responses to his findings.
As such, The Power of Us is essentially a compendium of case studies, bracketed by Price’s views on why they are relevant. The book is structured in six parts, including a toolkit for readers to go off and ‘do it themselves’. There is a strong emphasis on intangibles that foster successful participative experiences - purpose, motivation, trust and so on, and why they work well.
In breaking down management styles, Price is interestingly flattering to architects (I am one), or at least “architectural leadership”. Perhaps architects themselves should have a read to remind themselves of their own good qualities, or at least their potential to embody them.
The lasting impression - hope.
September 8, 2020
A must read
This is a brilliant book on so many levels. As a retired teacher/headteacher and consultant David Price gave some excellent case studies of what is possible in a world that allows schools to encourage real learning.
His analysis of a possible Post-Covid world is a good basis for thinking about how we go forward from a pandemic towards the potential cataclysm of climate change.
The thing I got the most out of an always interesting read is the optimism the author has in the younger generation.
As I have often said to others "Children are our future... We have no other!"
Price's book gives me hope that we may have a future and that a special generation and their successors may still save the planet that my generation has not distinguished itself in preserving!
This is a brilliant book on so many levels. As a retired teacher/headteacher and consultant David Price gave some excellent case studies of what is possible in a world that allows schools to encourage real learning.
His analysis of a possible Post-Covid world is a good basis for thinking about how we go forward from a pandemic towards the potential cataclysm of climate change.
The thing I got the most out of an always interesting read is the optimism the author has in the younger generation.
As I have often said to others "Children are our future... We have no other!"
Price's book gives me hope that we may have a future and that a special generation and their successors may still save the planet that my generation has not distinguished itself in preserving!
March 25, 2023
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A review by you!
The Power of Us: How we connect, act and innovate together, by David Price
informative reflective medium-paced
4.5
I wasn't enjoying this book at the start. Thought the social commentary at the start was simplistic and not nearly as good a Hugh McKay. The "no shit Sherlock" phrase nearly finished me... trying too hard.
However I persevered and the stories got better. The more he talked about schools, the more I liked it. Section 5... where it all comes together, the research, the stories, the advice about how to provide leadership, create culture , and how to get people working together to achieve great things. Lots of things I already believe in, and hope I do: trust, engagement, agency, meaning, belonging, relationships, strengths,... how perception IS reality. Good book over all.
Open main menu
A review by you!
The Power of Us: How we connect, act and innovate together, by David Price
informative reflective medium-paced
4.5
I wasn't enjoying this book at the start. Thought the social commentary at the start was simplistic and not nearly as good a Hugh McKay. The "no shit Sherlock" phrase nearly finished me... trying too hard.
However I persevered and the stories got better. The more he talked about schools, the more I liked it. Section 5... where it all comes together, the research, the stories, the advice about how to provide leadership, create culture , and how to get people working together to achieve great things. Lots of things I already believe in, and hope I do: trust, engagement, agency, meaning, belonging, relationships, strengths,... how perception IS reality. Good book over all.
September 5, 2020
This latest book by David Price is another highly recommended read for all educators. It's a cut through guide to empowering and connecting to others. With great case studies to support his ideas around change management, leadership and ingenuity. I took copious notes throughout, but loved the dot point summaries at the end of each chapter as via my Kindle I highlighted them all and exported them as a quick and handy reference point. Congratulations David, I thought 'Open' would be hard to beat, but they complement each other beautifully!
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January 13, 2021Great selection for our book club
The Power of Us is a positive book about today's young people and the benefits of open sharing organizations. David Price expertly addresses how several successful companies and schools engage their users through transparency, knowledge sharing, and social awareness. David shows a unique ability to relate to young people and what motivates them.
The Power of Us is a positive book about today's young people and the benefits of open sharing organizations. David Price expertly addresses how several successful companies and schools engage their users through transparency, knowledge sharing, and social awareness. David shows a unique ability to relate to young people and what motivates them.
November 12, 2021
Worth the quick read
Great examples provided. Nice short book that allows the reader to explore how some organisations are using the power of crowdsourcing to benefit their businesses or ideas.
Great examples provided. Nice short book that allows the reader to explore how some organisations are using the power of crowdsourcing to benefit their businesses or ideas.
October 9, 2020
Panning for gold
Lots of fluff in this book and little of actionable value. The structure of the book is hard to piece together. Disappointing.
Lots of fluff in this book and little of actionable value. The structure of the book is hard to piece together. Disappointing.
February 17, 2022
worth a listen, thought provoking, but a lot of obviousness.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews