The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly

collective wisdom refers to knowledge and insight gained through group and community interaction. at a deeper level, however, it is about our living connection to each other and the interdependence we share in our neighborhoods, organizations, and world community. based on nine years of research, The Power of Collective Wisdom shows how we can reliably tap into the extraordinary cocreative potential that exists whenever human beings gather together. Stories and historical examples illustrate how collective wisdom has emerged in a range of cultures, settings, and traditions, and the authors offer a set of practices to help readers realize the key lessons of the book. praise for The Power of Collective Wisdom this book, full of experience-based principles and practices, can help everyone learn how to access the wisdom of groups and communities. equally important, it can help us avoid the power of collective folly -- and, i might add, collective evil -- of which we have seen too much in our time. -Parker J. Palmer author of a hidden wholeness, let your life speak, and the courage to teach The Power of Collective Wisdom gives the world a new vocabulary to distinguish the various states and stages of wisdom. Finally, a book that explains what collecitive wisdom is, and how to harness this wisdom if we hope to survive as a species! -Peter Coughlan, Partner and Coleader of Transformation Practice, IDEO wisdom appears most readily when we are willing to be together, in patience, acceptance and curiosity. this gift of a book reacquaints us with this fundamental human experience and provides gentle, skilled guidance for how we might encourage wisdom to enter us. -Margaret J. Wheatley, author of leadership and the new science and turning to one another lao tzu reminds us that anything propelled by wisdom serves the greater good. The Power of Collective Wisdom illustrates the inspirational possibilities available when the health of the larger whole becomes more important than personal agendas. It is practical, instructive, and relevant to our times. -Angeles Arrien, Ph.D. Editor of the anthology working together and author of the four-fold way more praise for The Power of Collective Wisdom in this time of challenge and change, we need to have hope. people everywhere, from the lowest caste in india to the highest penthouse in new york s upper eastside, are seeking wisdom this book maps the territory, and points toward a new field of knowing, where together we can effectively explore possible solutions. indeed, the power of collective wisdom, may be the most important book of our times. -Michael Toms, CEO, New Dimensions Media and author of a time for choices: deep dialogues for deep democracy, and an open life: joseph campbell in conversation with michael toms an extraordinary book fi...