Presented for the first time in book form, the source principles breathe energy, clarity and creativity into the development of every project. The source person is someone who gets an idea and then takes initiatives and risks to realize it. The source person's main task is clarifying what the next step in the development of the project should be. When she needs support, she invites other people to participate; they in turn become source of specific parts of the project. This is the way all our collectives are born. In life, people take on several source the manager is invited to become the source of a team, the employee to be the source of her tasks, the musician to be the source of his performance, the sportswoman to be the source of her good condition. Wherever there's a project, there's a source. The source principles shine a light on the way we engage with our own initiatives. The clarity they offer boosts our dedication and our capacity to encourage those around us to embark on their own source itinerary. Source principles invite us to live out a more inspired management style, they stimulate our creative involvement, and they give new meaning to our professional and personal alliances.
Stefan Merkelbach’s A Little Red Book About Source takes a deep dive into the concept of Source—the person at the inception of an idea, project, or relationship—who carries the responsibility for its energy, direction, and sustenance. Expanding on Peter Koenig’s work, the book articulates three core roles of a source: Entrepreneur (initiator and risk-taker), Guide (vision-holder and steward), and Guardian (protector of integrity and essence).
At its core, this book explores an essential but often overlooked truth in organizations and movements: someone always holds the originating vision, even in collective, decentralized, or non-hierarchical structures. Without acknowledgment of that reality, power dynamics often play out in ways that are counterproductive, manifesting in founder’s syndrome, shadow leadership, or stagnation. The text argues that recognizing who is source and allowing for intentional transmission of source roles can help avoid these pitfalls.
The Strengths and Challenges of the Book
This book is dense, reflective, and conceptually rich. However, it isn’t always an easy read. The translation—while clearly given a lot of care—can sometimes feel wordy or overly complex for a concept that might be conveyed more concisely. That said, if you push through, the insights are valuable, particularly for those working in cooperative movements, participatory governance, or social change ecosystems.
The sections on Meeting Source, Sharing Source, and Transmitting Source offer some of the most compelling takeaways. The idea that every project has a global source (the one who sees the whole) and specific sources (those who lead distinct aspects) resonated deeply, as did the call for intentional succession planning. I found strong parallels between these ideas and frameworks like sociocracy, Holacracy, and participatory management.
Personal Reflections & Rites of Passage Connections
As someone who has engaged deeply in cooperative development and rites of passage work, I found an unexpected alignment between A Little Red Book About Source and a recent journey through the Sankofa Rites of Passage program. In both, there is an emphasis on recognizing who holds responsibility for guiding and sustaining an endeavor, whether it be a project, a community, or a life transition.
The rites of passage framework asks us to consider: • Place of Safety – Who/what provides security? • Source of Possibility – Where does vision and opportunity emerge? • Source of Energy – Who fuels the movement forward?
When viewed through this lens, A Little Red Book About Source isn’t just about leadership—it’s about how we show up in relationships, whether we own our role as source, slack on it, or deny it altogether. The book challenges us to reflect: • Where am I acting as a Source Denier (refusing to claim my role)? • Where am I a Source Slacker (neglecting the responsibilities I took on)? • How do I transmit source when it’s time to step away, ensuring sustainability instead of abandonment?
Final Take
While the book’s readability prevents me from giving it a full five stars, I consider it an essential read for anyone designing collaborative structures, managing teams, or simply wanting to understand how ideas move from inception to legacy. It’s a book that will stick with me as I continue working in solidarity economies and cooperative development spaces. If you’re willing to wrestle with the text, it will give you much to reflect on—both in your professional practice and personal life.
Would recommend for: ✅ Organizational designers ✅ Cooperative practitioners ✅ Decentralized movement builders ✅ Leaders navigating transitions
Would love to hear how others are applying Source principles in their work!