Books, reading & resource suggestions - The Art of Hosting2024-03-19T03:58:00Zhttp://artofhosting.ning.com/forum/topics/books-reading-resource?feed=yes&xn_auth=noHere's a note on a new book,…tag:artofhosting.ning.com,2011-02-20:4134568:Comment:74582011-02-20T22:44:18.575ZMary Alice Arthurhttp://artofhosting.ning.com/profile/MaryAliceArthur
<p>Here's a note on a new book, sent by a colleague:</p>
<p> -------------</p>
<p>I have just finished reading "The Spirit Level - Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger" by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett. This is an extraordinary book written by two epidemiologists who have used their analytical skills to show the evidence linking inequality with a range of social ills including, premature death, ill health, violence, poor educational outcomes, teenage births, obesity and so…</p>
<p>Here's a note on a new book, sent by a colleague:</p>
<p> -------------</p>
<p>I have just finished reading "The Spirit Level - Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger" by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett. This is an extraordinary book written by two epidemiologists who have used their analytical skills to show the evidence linking inequality with a range of social ills including, premature death, ill health, violence, poor educational outcomes, teenage births, obesity and so on.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This will fascinate the general reader but importantly this book has relevance for anyone interested in facilitation, collaboration, organization development and community building. There are two main reasons.</p>
<p>First, inequality fosters narcissism and anxiety. It creates a bravado and a brittleness to criticism. Second - Inequality leads communities and individuals to be less interested in taking public responsibility and working for the common good.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And the converse is true. Not only are there significant health and social benefits by increasing equality but . . . . Increased equality leads to greater humility</p>
<p>And</p>
<p>Increased equality leads to an increase in trust, an increase in social capital and increased public responsibility.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you are interested in reading my notes of the book please contact me off the list and I will send them to you.*</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Warm regards,</p>
<p>Peter Rennie</p>
<p> </p>
<p>*For example</p>
<p>Page 45 'Modesty easily becomes a casualty of inequality: we become outwardly tougher and harder in the face of greater exposure to social evaluation anxieties, but inwardly as the literature on narcissism </p>
<p>suggests - probably more vulnerable, less able to take criticism, less good at personal relationships and less able to recognize our own faults. '</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Dr Peter Rennie</p>
<p>Managing Director</p>
<p>Leadership Australia</p>
<p>M: 0402 064 260</p>
<p><span>email: </span> <span>peter@leadershipaustralia.com.au</span></p>
<p> <a href="http://www.leadershipaustralia.com.au" target="_blank">http://www.leadershipaustralia.com.au</a></p>
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