Unleashed: A Proven Way Communities Can Spread Change and Make Hope Real for All

by Richard C. Harwood

How can we unleash the innate potential of people, institutions and groups in communities to address our common challenges? And how can we do this by creating a civic culture in which people come together to shape their own lives and gain real hope?

In Unleashed, Richard C. Harwood draws on his 30 years of experience working with communities to answer these two critical questions. Harwood shows us that:

Change ripples out in communities through an interaction of highly intentional actions and serendipity.

The change then cascades and spreads through a chain of events over time.

These interactions often occur in unexpected ways, in unimaginable combinations of people and partners, and with unforeseen results.

This chain reaction can be proactively catalyzed and nurtured.

Through these interactions, people can restore a belief that we can get things done together.

Americans yearn to create a society that reflects the best of us, the best in us. In Unleashed, Harwood helps us see how we can create a more equitable, fair, inclusive and hopeful path forward.

258 pages, Paperback

Published May 24, 2021

About the author

Richard C. Harwood, President and Founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, is an innovator, author, and speaker. For 35+ years, he has devoted his career to revitalizing the nation’s hardest-hit communities, transforming the world’s largest organizations, and reconnecting institutions to society. He has been recruited to solve some of the most difficult problems of our time, including being called into Newtown, CT after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. He has appeared in numerous national media outlets and has written nine books, scores of articles, and groundbreaking reports like Civic Virus: Why Polarization is a Misdiagnosis.

Reviews

[Sharon Orlopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich Harwood and his team at The Harwood Institute have been working with communities for the past 30 years. Unleashed describes how change happened in 9 very different communities in the U.S.

There are 10 key characteristics on how change occurs in communities, but it is not a linear process. It typically starts with a small cadre of change agents who turn outward and hold community listening sessions to see what members of the community are concerned about and also what their aspirations are for their community.

Change agents act on what they learn and hear from community members and that starts the ball rolling. It is small wins that begin to sow the seeds of hope which lead to a chain reaction of events that helps a community change existing negative narratives.

Very insightful information with specific details on the change that occurred in each community, including critical measurable results.

[Travis Marcum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harwood discusses how we can spark moments of change and collaboration to reframe what matters in communities; how we can identify what needs addressed, how, and by whom; and how small starts can realign communities and civic cultures over time and through relentless patience. He poses that we do this by turning outward; by getting in motion; by starting small to go big; and by creating new trajectories of hope.

Definitely an influential resource in my current work.

#communityschools
#harwoodinstitute

[David Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

With so much change on the horizon, I have been reading Richard C. Harwood’s book, “Unleashed,” and thinking about how it applies to our communities and our neighborhoods.

How do we bring people together when our society is breaking apart? What will it take to bridge our divides, overcome mistrust, and restore our belief that we can get things done together as Americans?

How do we bring out the best in us?

In the forward, Harwood gives us a new and inspiring blueprint to rediscover what we share and actively build upon it. As a trusted civic voice, Harwood argues that to get the country moving in the right direction these efforts must start in our local communities.

Harwood shows us how to reach within and beyond ourselves to address our shared challenges and create more purpose and meaning in our lives.

First, we must be part of something larger than ourselves and make a difference in our communities.

This could be as simple as being an active member of an active and engaged church. In addition, there are other ways to grow a sense of involvement with something larger than ourselves. Most commonly, this means active involvement in a non-profit or charitable organization. Our communities have plenty of these, all of which need your help.

Second, we should refocus on the desire for good in each other.

Leadership coach John Maxwell expresses this idea this way: Every time we meet or work with someone, we assign them a rank based on first impressions and experiences. Maybe that rank is a 2 out of 10. The problem is that rank is almost always self-fulling because we see and believe what we want about others. Next time you meet someone new or work with someone you have known for years, assign them the number 10. Have that level of expectation and belief in them. See them in a new way. See the good in each other.

Third, we must unleash a greater sense of shared responsibility.

Too often, we say, “That is their problem.” We do this to excuse ourselves from being involved. But, if you live in a community, those problems eventually impact everyone. Our shared sense of responsibility is America’s secret weapon. It relates to our ability to work together, create solutions, and share ownership in the outcome and our governance.

Fourth, we must find the courage and humility to try this path.

We must make a choice to become an engaged neighbor who is involved in the lives of our neighbors, in the good of our neighborhood, and in the civic needs of our community. This takes courage and humility. The courage to do what is right even when it is not popular. But also, it is humility to know we only have some of the answers ourselves.

So, this year, do more than just vote. Also make the choice to get involved.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars - Could have been half the length

This presented interesting ideas about how to engage a community in order to improve it, but it felt pretty formulaic without giving the specifics that could have been used by others.