Designing Dignity - From Me to We

By John Steinberg

Democratic nations, well-functioning businesses and successful schools are all based on these three foundations:

Trust: Faith that political systems, government agencies, hospitals, businesses and schools hold their promises, are reliable and make an honest effort to provide services that enhance the lives of citizens, employees, customers and students.

Civility: Politeness, caring, service and integrity are the value base from which an organization, society, family or individual can develop, thrive and serve. 

Collaboration. No problems are solved without respect, listening, sharing and working together towards common goals. 

This is a workshop-based book with concrete suggestions for Designing Daily Doses of Dignity (compare with Radom Acts of Kindness). The theory behind it has it's sources in the study of habits, nudging and behavior economics. Simple, fun and rewarding exercises that will enhance your relationships and contribute to a greater sense of trust, civility and collaboration in our society, organizations and families. 

John Steinberg, Ph.D. is the author of 55 books and 12 e-books about learning, communication, leadership and values. steinberg.se   

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Steinberg
• Release date: Apr 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224772445

John Steinberg

How to become an even better teacher, leader or communicator. How to teach teachers to teach and trainers to train. How to improve leadership in schools and businesses. How to enhance learning in the classroom and at work. The purpose of teaching and leading and knowing your purpose. Personal development for teachers principals/headmasters/managers. School and organizational development. Alternative learning strategies. Alternative schooling. I have a passion for pedagogy... Teaching is an art, science, and political statement, at least if you are trying to save and improve democracy. Knowledge is the key. Understanding how you are influenced and influenced others is crucial. I am an educational psychologist, Ph.D., and the author of 55 books and 20 e-books. My books and interests include education, teaching, leadership, values education, classroom management, communication - and now even e-book publication. I was born in the USA but have lived in Sweden all my adult life, where I have worked at Örebro university, as an elementary school principal and run my own education and publishing company since 1984. My life theme is empowerment and as I usually say "I train trainers to be trainers and teachers to be teachers, and leaders to lead." My main passion is for learning and how to help individuals and groups learn. I do lectures in both English and Swedish. www.steinberg.se is my Swedish website. Yes, there is an English section too. I also have do The Empowerment Talk Show. Look it up on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIipUkghgIBCIgH413k4Gt7Mzfeeu7wPv I am in the process of producing a series of short books for educators, leaders, trainers and communicators.

Book preview

DESIGNING DIGNITY

––––––––

HOW TO REBUILD TRUST, CIVILITY AND COLLABORATION

FROM ME TO WE

JOHN STEINBERG

© 2020, 2024. All rights reserved.

Steinberg Education & Publishing

John Steinberg, Ph.D., is the author of 55 published books and 12 e-books in Swedish and English. He is an educational psychologist. In a series of e-books, John combines his interest in personal growth, societal development, and politics. steinberg.se/english

CONTENTS

PART 1: FROM ME TO WE

How Does It Work?

Systematic Tiny Acts of We-Ness and Dignity

A Collaborative Society

From A Me Generation to A We Generation

A World of Interdependence

What Is Dignity?

Be Specific

PART 2: THE DIGNIFIED SOCIETY: FROM ME TO WE

The Big Picture

Ten-Second Tasks

Designing Dignity. Course 1: Good morning

Designing Dignity. Course 2: Thank you

Designing Dignity: Course 3: It’s All About Us

Bonus Challenges

PART 3: THE DAILY DOSE OF DIGNITY COURSES

The Me to We Business

The Me to We Business. Course 1: Why Are We Here?

The Me to We Business. Course 2: Contributions

The Me to We Business. Course 3: Picture this!

The Me to We Parent

The Me to We Parent. Course 1: Stop, Laugh, Wait

The Me to We Parent. Course 2: Routines

The Me to We Parent. Course 3: Storytelling

The Me to We Workplace

The Me to We Workplace. Course 1: The eyes have it

The Me to We Workplace. Course 2. Howdy Stranger!

The Me to We Workplace. Course 3: More or less

PART 1:

FROM ME TO WE

Democratic nations, well-functioning businesses, and successful schools are all based on these three foundations:

Trust: Faith that political systems, government agencies, hospitals, businesses, and schools hold their promises, are reliable and make an honest effort to provide services that enhance the lives of citizens, employees, customers, and students.

Civility: Politeness, caring, service, and integrity are the value bases from which an organization, society, family, or individual can develop, thrive and serve.

Collaboration. No problems are solved without respect, listening, sharing, and working together towards common goals.

When trust, civility, and collaboration break down, nations, businesses, and schools cease to enhance the lives of citizens, employees, customers, and students.

People lose faith in their institutions and political systems.

People become impatient, impolite, and rude.

People are no longer able to compromise, seek commonality, and unite for a common purpose.

Many say that this is what is currently happening in the political system in many democratic nations.

It is not even a premise in authoritarian regimes and governments, but trust, civility, and collaboration have been and must be the base from which democracy builds.

What brought this on? Certainly, social media is a contributing factor, but more a symptom of the problem than a cause.

Certainly, the decrease in economic mobility is a contributing factor as it becomes increasingly detrimental for a democratic nation when citizens experience more and more difficulty in improving their life situations.

Certainly, the pace of change in society creates hesitancy and fear, which is also contributing to the problem – a fear of an unknown future in which the nature of work is rapidly heading in new, uncertain directions.

The pace of change is also affecting family and social life with fast-changing norms where religion, traditions, and rituals either do not carry the same weight as in the past or, just the opposite, mean more than ever before.

Whatever the cause, the problem is evident: a breakdown in trust, civility, and collaboration.

How do we deal with this breakdown, heal, and regain our faith in ourselves, each other, and our institutions?

Designing Dignity is one effort to recapture the glue that holds together our society.

How Does It Work?

Designing Dignity is based on the concept of behavior-based learning (BBL). Readers, listeners, and viewers are challenged to carry out small acts of we-ness and, in the process, expand skills and knowledge about how to build trust, civility, and collaboration. We call these acts: Daily Doses of Dignity.

The concepts and methods of Designing Dignity can be applied to many areas, such as:

Society

Schools

Parenting

Leadership

Customer service

Workplaces

Health care

Sales

Systematic Tiny Acts of We-Ness and Dignity

Will really saying good morning with a tiny bit more enthusiasm change the amount of trust, civility, and collaboration in society? Of course, not immediately, but if millions of people start their day with just a tiny bit of a more personal and enthusiastic greeting to the first person they see that day, civility will increase, and that will affect our trust in each other and our ability to collaborate.

Will a sincere thank you call, note, or message change structural inequality? Of course not. But do not ever underestimate the power of a sincere thank you to affect our faith in each other, and faith and trust in one another are the building blocks of collaborative problem-solving.

Well, how about Admiral William H. McRaven’s suggestion in his book Make Your Bed? How could making your bed in the morning possibly contribute to a more civil society? When you put just a bit more effort into your everyday routines, you contribute to order, and this, in turn, affects your feeling of pride. Making your bed in the morning is one example of a symbolic act of pride. Pride in ourselves, our families, and our organizations are important driving forces to creating a better functioning society.

You’ve heard of Random Acts of Kindness. Now, we are applying a similar idea but more systematically: your Daily Dose of Dignity.

Do not underestimate the power of small actions to make a big difference.

You will feel this difference in your own life. Your acts of dignity and we-ness will make you into a person more people like to be around.

You will feel this difference in your family life. Your acts of dignity and we-ness will enhance your family’s sense of togetherness.

You will feel this difference in your work life and in your role as a citizen. Your acts of dignity and we-ness will increase the likelihood of receiving politeness and respect from others.

You will feel this difference in the political discourse of our governmental systems as more and more politicians and government officials understand how the dignity of their leadership can contribute to collaborative problem-solving.

Designing Dignity presents numerous challenges to dignity (civility, trust, and collaboration). I cannot guarantee immediate change because it is also a numbers game. The more people engaged in acts of dignity, the higher the impact. I will, however, ensure you will feel a difference in your relationships, and that, indeed, is an excellent start.

There are specific critical strategies for learning, habit-changing, and personal growth. At the same time, change is greatly influenced by culture and the so-called narrative of that culture. For example, in the United States, the presupposition is that the individual can control his or her life. In many other cultures, there is