When you’re taking on a major urban problem, the best way to begin isn’t with a single great action but with a series of small, reinforcing actions. By doing so, you recognize the complexity of cities and build early momentum. And that lays the groundwork for bold actions to follow.
Consensus, Power, and the Art of Getting Things Done
This is the heart of modern civic leadership: Being the one who creates consensus among independent interests for solutions that benefit all. It starts with thinking systemically.
A Case Study in Small-P Politics
In 1961, more than 110,000 people spent time in New York City’s overcrowded jails, and the number was rising fast. Many weren’t convicted of a crime; they were awaiting trial and couldn’t afford bail. Bail is basically an insurance policy. You (or a professional bail bondsman) put up something of value to insure you’ll appear […]
The Skills of Small-P Politics
In the past, we’ve depended on the few to lead us. Now we must depend on the many. The key to making broad-based community leadership work is to teach more people the skills of small-p politics.
Never, Never, Never Give Up
We make change difficult in our communities by spreading power so widely. That’s one reason that progress belongs to the persistent, as was demonstrated recently by a new transportation law in Georgia.