Introduction: The Role and Question of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) has become central to contemporary leadership discourse. In his influential model, Daniel Goleman (1995) identifies five core competencies:

• Self-awareness – recognising one’s emotions and their impact
• Self-regulation – managing impulses and emotional reactivity
• Motivation – directing energy in service of an intrinsic purpose
• Empathy – understanding and responding to others’ emotions
• Social skills – building rapport, collaboration, and influence

These elements have shaped how leaders are evaluated and developed across industries. Goleman’s framework, along with Mayer and Salovey’s earlier academic work (1990), helped legitimise emotional intelligence as a domain of leadership and organisational development. Yet the concept is not without critique.

Scholars have raised important questions:

• What kind of “intelligence” is EI? Critics such as Locke (2005) argue that EI is too loosely defined and overlaps with personality traits or interpersonal skills, rather than constituting a distinct intelligence.
• Can EI be measured reliably? Matthews, Zeidner, and Roberts (2002) question the psychometric validity of EI assessments, arguing that popular tests often confound emotional knowledge with emotional ability.
• Does EI risk reinforcing neoliberal ideals of self-discipline? Fineman (2004) cautions that EI can be used to promote compliance or suppress dissent in the workplace.

Despite these critiques, the importance of emotional insight and relational skill in leadership is hard to dispute. The deeper challenge is not whether EI matters – it does – but how we define it, how we train it, and what view of human development underpins it.

Emotional Intelligence as Embodied Skill

In this essay, I argue that emotional intelligence is best understood not as a fixed trait or measurable quotient, but as a set of embodied, trainable skills – what Humberto Maturana, Francisco Varela, and Eleanor Rosch (1991) called “wisdom” in The Embodied Mind. They proposed that cognition is not purely mental or representational, but a process of embodied, enactive engagement with the world:

“Knowing how,” they write, “is fundamentally embodied”
(Varela, Thompson, & Rosch, 1991, p. 175).

This perspective aligns with my own framework: the Four Powers of Integrity. These meta-skills – Appreciative Awareness, Authentic Resonance, Creative Responsibility, and Impeccable Completion – support the development of emotional intelligence at three nested levels:

• Intrapersonal (self-to-self)
• Interpersonal (peer-to-peer)
• Collective (team and system)

Unlike traditional EI models, which often emphasise internal capacities or personality traits, the Four Powers focus on practice — repeatable, observable, embodied actions that cultivate emotional awareness, discernment, and wise response. These powers are not abstract ideals. They are lived disciplines that help us metabolise emotional charge, integrate internal conflict, speak from congruence, and navigate complex human relationships with clarity and care.

Integrity as the Compass

Two of the Four Powers explicitly involve what Goleman would call EI. Appreciative awareness includes being present to one’s own emotional life and sensitive to the emotional realities of others. Authentic resonance entails communicating congruently about what one feels and listening deeply enough to perceive truth from another’s point of view.

The other two — creative responsibility and impeccable completion — also require emotional skill: the ability to own one’s impact, stay accountable in relationships, and follow through with clarity and care.

What distinguishes integrity from EI is its grounding. Integrity insists that we use these skills in service of wholeness, not merely personal performance. Statements about emotional intelligence do not necessarily imply such grounding. A leader might be adept at reading the room and managing impressions, yet still manipulate others for personal gain. In contrast, integrity requires that we integrate emotional skill with responsibility to ourselves, our colleagues, and the wider systems of which we are part.

Thus, while the skills that Goleman and others describe under “emotional intelligence” are undeniably valuable, I contend that EI without integrity is incomplete — and potentially dangerous. The world does not need leaders who can manipulate feelings more effectively; it needs leaders who can build wholeness in the face of complexity and change.

Internal Family Systems and Emotional Intelligence

An emerging body of practice shows how Internal Family Systems (IFS), originally a therapeutic model, deepens leadership and complements emotional intelligence. IFS emphasises self-leadership by helping individuals recognise and harmonise their internal “parts.” Applied in organisations, it enables leaders to reduce self-sabotage, resolve inner conflict, and show up with greater authenticity.

IFS enhances emotional intelligence by cultivating self-awareness and emotional regulation — two of Goleman’s original competencies. Leaders trained in IFS practices are better equipped to empathise, build trust, and respond constructively under pressure. Studies and case reports indicate that emotionally intelligent leadership, especially when combined with IFS-informed self-leadership, improves organisational performance, resilience, and workplace culture (see e.g. Farrell, 2024; Adapt Consulting, 2024).

Here we see the practical extension of integrity: intrapersonal wholeness supports interpersonal resonance and collective coherence. In other words, IFS offers a method for cultivating the embodied skills that EI points toward and the Four Powers of Integrity require.

Conclusion

Leadership today is not just about strategy or authority. It is about emotional navigation in a volatile world: the ability to grieve what’s gone, show up for what’s alive, and lead others with coherence, responsiveness, and integrity. Developing the embodied skills of integrity — which include but transcend those grouped under EI — enables us to lead in a way that is not only effective but also profoundly ethical. And it is this kind of leadership — grounded in integrity — that our organisations, communities, and ecosystems most urgently require.

Bibliography

Clarke, N. (2018). Emotional intelligence and transformational leadership: A meta-analysis and explanatory model. SAGE Open, 8(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244018800910
Fineman, S. (2004). Getting the measure of emotion – and the cautionary tale of emotional intelligence. Human Relations, 57(6), 719–740. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726704044953
Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. New York: Bantam Books.
Locke, E. A. (2005). Why emotional intelligence is an invalid concept. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26(4), 425–431.
Matthews, G., Zeidner, M., & Roberts, R. D. (2002). Emotional intelligence: Science and myth. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Maturana, H. R., Varela, F. J., & Rosch, E. (1991). The embodied mind: Cognitive science and human experience. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Salovey, P., & Mayer, J. D. (1990). Emotional intelligence. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 9(3), 185–211.
Farrell, D. (2024). Internal Family Systems and workplace culture. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/internal-family-systems-role-workplace-culture-danielle-farrell-ma-lwrwc
Adapt Consulting Company. (2024). Exploring Internal Systems Therapy in leadership and management. https://www.adaptconsultingcompany.com/2024/08/14/exploring-internal-systems-therapy-in-leadership-and-management/

Frequently Asked Questions

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At, A Fairer Society and ReThink Community, we’re leading the charge in this transformation. By introducing innovative concepts like co-housing and alternative HMO models, we’re reimagining what it means to live in a community. In this blog, I’ll share my thoughts on how these new approaches are reshaping the property landscape.

Read or watch when I caught up with David Price on the True Life Business Show…

What is Co-Housing?

Co-housing is not just a housing model; it’s a movement towards intentional living. Unlike traditional housing, co-housing communities are designed and managed by the residents themselves, with a strong focus on sustainability, shared resources, and communal living.

Co-housing typically involves a group of like-minded individuals coming together to create a living environment that fosters connection and mutual support. These communities often feature smaller private homes with larger shared spaces, where collaboration takes precedence over isolation.

And Co-Living?

The Urban Twist

While co-housing is centred around intentional communities building and owning their community, co-living brings this concept into the urban rental market, making it accessible to a wider audience. Co-living is a response to the challenges of urbanisation, such as the high cost of living, cost of housing and the increasing sense of disconnect.

There’s a saying… Lonely in a city of millions and this has been truer than today.

Co-living spaces typically offer smaller private rooms with extensive shared amenities like kitchens, lounges, and recreational areas. This model particularly appeals to young professionals who prioritise affordability and community over traditional notions of ownership.

The Key Differences Between Co-Housing and Co-Living

Though co-housing and co-living share similarities, they are distinct in their execution. Co-housing communities are often self-managed and deeply rooted in shared values, while co-living spaces are usually developer-driven, catering to individuals seeking convenience and a sense of community within an urban environment. In my view, co-housing is about a collective vision, while co-living is more about making urban living more accessible and less isolating.

Alternative HMO Models: A New Approach to Shared Living

One of the most exciting innovations we’re introducing is the concept of alternative HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) models. Traditional HMOs often lack a sense of community and can prioritise profit over people. Our vision is to change that by incorporating cooperative principles into the HMO framework. In these alternative models, tenants are encouraged to take ownership of their living space—not in a financial sense, but through governance and day-to-day management. This approach fosters a sense of belonging and responsibility, which is often missing in conventional rental arrangements.

Creating Intentional Communities in Urban Spaces

A key aspect of our strategy is the creation of intentional communities within urban co-living spaces. This involves carefully selecting tenants who share similar values and lifestyles, ensuring that the community is cohesive and supportive. The process begins even before the tenants move in, as we facilitate introductions and help potential housemates align their expectations and living styles. By doing so, we aim to eliminate the anonymity and disconnect that often plague traditional HMOs.

Benefits for Property Investors

For property investors, our alternative HMO model offers a unique opportunity. By adopting this community-focused approach, investors can reduce void periods, as tenants are more likely to stay longer in an environment where they feel connected and valued. Additionally, the cooperative model reduces the burden on landlords, as tenants take on more responsibility for the upkeep and management of the property. This creates a win-win situation where both landlords and tenants benefit from a more sustainable and harmonious living arrangement.

The Future of Co-Living and Intentional Communities

As urbanisation continues to shape our living environments, the demand for innovative housing solutions will only grow. Our vision for co-living and alternative HMO models represents a significant shift towards more humane and sustainable living arrangements. By prioritising community, intentionality, and shared responsibility, we are not only addressing the housing challenges of today but also paving the way for a future where urban living can be both affordable and fulfilling.

Conclusion

At A Fairer Society and ReThink Community, our work is a testament to the power of reimagining traditional systems. As we look to the future, it’s clear that concepts like co-housing and co-living will play a crucial role in creating more connected and sustainable communities. We invite you to join us in this co-living revolution and help shape the future of urban living.

Join our community!

Click here to check out our Co-Living projects and get involved

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Getting your mind, attitude and outlook aligned so you can immerse yourself in an approach that most people will tell you won’t work or is too hard is why we created the ReThink Community.

Believe us. It’s not impossible. That is what this blog lays out for you, it delves inside the community and what you’ll get out of it so you can be 100% in or out…

The community to help create “Your Community”

We have a tried and tested process of bringing together people interested in cohousing, a resident-led intentional community. 

When you arrive at joining, there will likely be doubts about how to make it. That’s natural. The house-building process is a minefield of complexity, and one you won’t want to approach alone. We break it down. We will help you explore what you need to know in the correct order, and the time saved by doing this will be one of the most valuable decisions of your life. 

You might even decide all this is not for you and go and buy/rent another home. That is priceless.

One step at a time, starts with you.

First thing first, you have to spend time on yourself. You have to explore yourself, then your household and the lives you currently live and compare them to how it could be if you got what you wanted or needed. 

Sounds easy! But it’s not, because what questions do you ask yourself? What problems are you experiencing that can be changed or made better? 

Let’s find the others that think like you

Once you’ve spent time looking at the problems and solutions out there, you have to be sure you find others in the same boat as you. 

The strength drawn from those like you will help you to keep going and support one another in some of the more wobbly phases when creating, building and owning homes together. 

Think of these steps like a dating service. First, we bring you together for the first date by profiling your wants, needs and purpose. Then, by providing places to meet and get to know each other, you can work out whether you go on the second and third dates! Then you might start a relationship. 

In terms of what we do, we know it will cut out time-wasting and even more so getting to an advanced stage and realising the people around you aren’t the right fit.

So, why join the ReThink Community? What will you get?

• A feeling of togetherness, it’s essential to be connected and more than just an online community; we support and help members create in-person meet-ups.
• Q&A sessions with the experts who bring our process to life, the professionals. Those who design, plan and build a sustainable living solution with a foundation in One Planet Living principles.
• We lead live workshops and training for you as a member to support you in creating your community. 
• Added value content + resources, like legal, financial and marketing support. Proven solutions that aren’t conventional but much more human. They exist. You don’t know it yet.
• Mini Courses, checklists and worksheets help simplify your journey and achieve your goals more quickly. But most importantly will help you connect and engage with others in the Community.
• Once you’ve joined, we help you create your blueprint for your home, including location, which starts fueling our land search.
• And the cherry on the cake — Exclusive access to land opportunities. Without this, the rest is a fruitless exercise and will drain away energy.

You have access to a private online Community where you and we can share stories and inspire each other’s journey. When we take care of ourselves first, everything else falls into place effortlessly! 

So if you’re looking for a safe place where like-minded people can connect & learn together, then this is it.

Online & In person

Online Community is everywhere now, and we spend a lot of time in groups on social media or other virtual spaces with people who share our likes and interests. 

But in-person meet-ups also work well; they are crucial to your success in working out who you would or wouldn’t want to live with in the future! The meet-ups allow strong bonds to be formed.

We also work with a network of community organisations to help you find locations to meet and local ambassadors who support the meet-ups to run smoothly. They can be as formal or informal as you like.

Live Q&A sessions

Live Q&A sessions are a great way to connect with experts in the field and learn more about their work. You’ll get inspired by the professionals who can make all this a reality. They also dream of creating resident-led communities. They are tired of the same old churned out. You are their energy. You can submit questions before, during, or after the event. 

These regular rituals will highlight and go through the ten principles of One Planet Living, showing real-life solutions in action.

Co-Create- community workshops

These sessions focus on the principles of Community and how you want yours to look, feel and operate. There are many working parts to bringing a group of people together. We will address these from our own experiences and those living this way. 

Here’s how:

• Participation is essential, but you can only truly participate if your voice is heard and taken seriously. We show you how and provide the tools and expertise to learn and implement this approach. This means you make decisions together and therefore don’t waste time.

• It’s essential to know and understand how to run your meetings. As a part of the ongoing learning, we support anyone who wants the opportunity to get experience by facilitating some of the sessions, We’re there to support this and co-facilitate. 

Why might this community not be for you?

If you’re actually quite happy where you live and how you live, then it’s unlikely you’ll get much from the community. 

You don’t like challenging yourself or changing much, if it sounds like too much effort it’s not for you.

You’re prepared to put up with what you have as you feel like it would be hard work, you certainly need to commit to doing something, we take away the tough tasks and professional work, but you still need to show up. So if that’s too much, you won’t get anything from the community.

Join our community!

The mainstay of any online community is a place where you can share your story and learn new ideas from the comfort of your own home or while you’re on the move.  Our community spaces have both access via desktop or mobile browsers and an app.

Everything we’ve discussed starts with a free online community. This can rise to £15 a month if you choose to learn and get access to the professional support needed to bring these projects to life.

If you go a bit further, then there are other costs associated with designing and building homes – but we deal with all of this in the ReThink Community. We also have opportunities for those looking at co-living – an alternative to HMOs.

We work hard on helping those conversations flow with simple guidelines so you know what to post about and how to engage and find your people, and we’re there every step of the way. 

We promise to be present, engage and support every step of the way. We are a community of people who are passionate about learning and doing. We have a track record of helping people learn new things. 

1. Learn more about yourself through our Better Places to Live Quiz. 
2. Then, complete one of our upcoming Bootcamps or Challenges and consume some of our blogs before you jump in. 
3. We’ve also got a Buyer’s Guide, which contrasts and compares how you can achieve this resident-led approach to house building, so no stone is left unturned.

If you do all this, we can be sure you’ll hit the ground running and be ready to take action when that perfect piece of land surfaces.

The foundation to real success in the quickest time possible is your mindset and belief there is another way.

So be in the game, contribute to making this happen, and start now!

Join the ReThink Community now

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At the end of my life, I want to look back and say I lived a whole life. You can experience what this world has to offer —all of its community, culture, and nature—and, hand on heart, say, “I’ve also been able to give back some of those things in return”.

A cohousing community can help you design and achieve this around what is important to you and the life you want to live. It is essential to start with you.

A community is where you can be your whole self without fear of judgement. A community is where you can share your gifts and receive them from others. A community is where people create change together and support each other through tough times. Finally, a community is where people find friends who are there for them no matter what life brings.

Your gift

• You’re reading this, so you probably want to know the most important thing in life. The first thing I want to tell you is that it has nothing to do with money or possessions.
• Those things can be nice, but they aren’t a big deal in the grand scheme. What matters most is what makes your heart sing: what makes you feel alive? What do you love to do? What is your passion? What makes you happy?
• Don’t get me wrong—your gift isn’t something magical that will make everything perfect when it comes to being human. But what’s important here is that when we use our gifts well (and sometimes even when we don’t), we’re also helping others find their gifts!
• Your skills and what you are good at might be just what your neighbour or community needs. That is a gift; in return, you’ll get someone else to gift. It sounds so simple!

If we all brought our gifts and everyone knew what they were, then we are on the way to taking the load off our day-to-day life. Then, we would know who to turn to when things get tough. 

What makes your life easier and better?

Ultimately, what makes your life easier and better is doing what you are good at and avoiding the things you aren’t. Unfortunately, doing anything you don’t like usually takes twice the amount of time, and it is never a pleasant experience! 

We are all connected. But society and the pace of life mean we have become disconnected. We’re rushing around, trying to do everything ourselves, and it feels alien as humans. We are tribal. We work and live better when we are happy in our tribe. Helping others helps us feel good, and we feel valued.

You see when you show love and kindness toward another human being:

• You make their day better (and, in turn, make yours better too)
• You help them feel good about themselves
• And most importantly: We ALL benefit from this!

So how do you get this into your life?

It is difficult to answer this question in the context of your current life. It is essential first to know what you think is important to you; once you know this, you can bring value to others.

Our cohousing community programmes start with you, then the planet. Then we look at what you can afford:invest as well as location. With a group of like-minded people, you can create enormous value for yourself, others and the world by designing a community and a place to live that makes this a way of life, not something you hope or dream of. 

If we work together, we can make life better for ourselves and others. 

Join us. Spend the time on yourself first and then be part of a community of like-minded people and explore how this can be possible.

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Extra Resource:

Dive into the concept of Healthy Power with experts Nathaniel Whitestone, John Buck, and Pete Burden. This video explores the transformation from traditional toxic power dynamics to collaborative, nurturing leadership. Plus at the end of this blog you’ll find links to videos and podcasts on Neighborocracy and more!

What is Healthy Power?

Healthy Power is the ability to know and accomplish one’s goals in a way that increases the power and wellbeing of everybody involved, the communities and ecosystems as well as the individuals and organisations.

Healthy Power shows up in systems where power is circular, fluid, and consensual.

Power is circular where a web of mutual influence enables each person or group to lead the others. If there’s “power over”, that power runs both ways, and thus becomes “power with”. 

This circular power is how great leaders actually lead and healthy communities actually function — forget about the nonsense myths of saints and heroic CEOs who have all the answers without listening to anyone because they are somehow one with the Source, or about “flat organisations” where nobody has any special expertise or influence. Neither of those exists in the real world. When people try to create make everyone fall in line with the insights of a brilliant leader, tragedies follow. When people try to make a community where nobody’s more special than anyone else, nothing gets done… or people just follow the guidance of influential people while refusing to admit they’re doing so.

Power is fluid when nobody owns it as a personal asset. Nobody is entitled to power; power is delegated by the organisation or community to those best suited to exercising it at a particular time. This might be the visionary founder! Or it might be someone else. 

Power is consensual when the people who are affected by it get a chance to say “yes please” or “no thanks”. This is different from the coercive tricks or outright force that are the norm in our society, and particularly in the world of work.

Taken together, these differences enable a high-integrity way of working and living that can replace the ills of modern life with a truly flourishing society.

The Role of Sociocracy in Cultivating Healthy Power

Sociocracy, a governance system that distributes leadership and emphasises consent-based decision-making, is a practical approach to achieving Healthy Power. It fosters transparent communication and collective management, allowing for distributed authority and increased individual agency.

Although Sociocracy is not the only way of cultivating Healthy Power, it’s worth adopting Sociocracy or a similar form of governance as an underlying framework that enables various other practices, from Agile working methods to Non Violent Communication, to be impactful together.

Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the practice of Healthy Power and how it can reshape our societal landscape.

Healthy Power Manifesto

We face a profound choice:
to continue with the ways of toxic power which we inherited,
or to build a world together where power is healthy for all.

We all love power.
We all suffer from toxic power.

Healthy Power is circular, not linear or flat.
Healthy Power is fluid, not frozen.
Healthy Power is consensual, not coercive.

Healthy Power is the ability to do work over time
in a way that is good for all the people and systems involved:
the ecosystems, the human communities, the customers, the workers, the
investors, the leaders,
all of us.

Healthy Power is not an alternative.
It is our future.

The Future is here. We Have Numerous Models of Healthy Power.
If you are committed to bringing healthy power to your workplace or your
community, you are already leading the shift to a world where power works for everyone.

It can be done. It must be done. We are doing it
We invite you to join us

Foundations of the Healthy Power Alliance

The Healthy Power Alliance was conceived in 2014 as a catalyst for change, and as a learning community bringing together practitioners in organisations and communities, consultants with expertise in developing healthy power, and academics interested in both theory and practice.

Join us in redefining power for the common good and make the commitment to be a part of the global transformation towards a healthier, more just world.

If you want to stay in the conversation, fill in this brief questionnaire! We’ll be in touch.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EV7zVc8rWUEWjfTg64qZI84zP0v-YnN0ZOZYNrcKdT4/edit

More Resources

PODCAST: Neighborocracy – an Indian success story in grassroots governance https://pod.link/1534854798/episode/a2e61cdde354d98e95b7cc10529d54b9

VIDEOS: Joseph Rathinam And Neighbourhood Democracy https://citizen-network.org/library/joseph-rathinam-ndm.html

PODCAST: Joseph Rathinam (Part 1): Neighborocracy- Global Governance From Below https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-neighboring-movement-podcast/id1450320068?i=1000632478432

BLOG: What a healthy workplace looks like https://afairersociety.com/what-a-healthy-workplace-looks-like/

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We know that there are healthy workplaces and toxic ones. But what actually makes a healthy workplace? This is the question I’ve asked myself for years as an employee at a cooperative business and as a consultant for other companies. As it turns out, there’s no one recipe for what makes a healthy organization or team: every one has its own unique ingredients—but they share some common themes that make them stand out from their peers.

We all know about toxic workplaces

You may have worked in a toxic workplace before. You might have been the victim of bullying, harassment, or discrimination. Or maybe your company has treated its employees poorly, perhaps by putting unreasonable demands on them and not paying them enough to make ends meet.

In any case, it’s clear that a healthy work environment is better for everyone: employees are happier and more productive; customers get more value from their purchases; investors see more returns over time; society benefits from fewer people suffering from stress-related illnesses like depression or anxiety disorders (which cost our economy an estimated $200 billion per year).

In a healthy workplace, people accomplish their goals together in a way that enhances the power and wellbeing of everyone involved

A healthy workplace is one in which people accomplish their goals together in a way that enhances the power and wellbeing of everyone involved. In a healthy workplace, it is not only possible to accomplish your own goals while helping others toward theirs; it’s necessary. You are richer for having helped someone else achieve their dreams, and they are richer for having helped you achieve yours.

Think back on some of your favorite projects at work:

• How did they come about?
• What was unique about them?
• Why did they succeed where others failed?

How it works

The way this looks is different for every business, but there are some common elements.

• Employee engagement: This means that your employees feel valued, challenged, and happy at work.
• High functioning teams: Teams that work well together produce better results than those that don’t; team members should help each other out as needed with tasks and projects—even if they’re not directly related to their jobs.
• Mutual care: Treating other people the way you’d like them to treat you will help build trust between coworkers. It’s important not only in terms of the company’s culture but also when it comes down to negotiating salary or raises (or even buying lunch!).
• Sense of shared purpose: Everyone in the organization should be working toward a single goal or mission—whether it’s making sure all customers receive excellent service at all times or shipping out products as soon as possible so no one misses any deadlines around Christmastime!

Example: Multistakeholder Cooperatives

An example of this is the Mondragon Cooperative system, which is a large group of cooperatives in Spain. There are many types of organizations that fall under the Mondragon umbrella, but they all have these things in common:

• The board of directors includes representatives from different stakeholder groups (employees, investors, management, and the environment)
• Each individual organization has workers who own their own shares and elect representatives to their board

The Mondragon Group closed only one business (among hundreds) during the 2008 recession, and due almost entirely to the activities of this cooperative group, the Mondragon region flourishes even when other areas of Spain are economically struggling. 

Example: Agile and Lean

If you want to see what a healthy workplace looks like, look no further than some of the most successful companies in the world (Toyota is one of the best known). Agile and Lean management principles have transformed organizations into more effective and efficient workplaces.​

Agile teams are 300% to 400% as productive as they would be using traditional management methods. The secrets of these high-performing workplaces are respect for people and continuous improvement (Kaizen). When you treat your employees with respect, they will do their best work so that you can succeed in meeting your goals. And by continually improving what you do, you’ll always stay ahead of competitors who aren’t doing this work every day!

Example: Purpose-led Business

A purpose-led company will be guided by a higher purpose, and its business decisions will be made with that in mind. The triple bottom line (3bl) refers to how companies should measure their success by looking at three areas: profit, people and planet. This means that they need to think about how their decisions affect both the environment and society as well as shareholders.

Companies such as Ben & Jerry’s implement 3bl strategies into their business model; they’re known for making decisions based on what’s best for society and the environment rather than just profits alone. They donate 1% of sales from every pint sold back into communities around the world — this helps fund projects like homeless shelters or water wells for communities lacking access to clean water supplies – which makes them an example of a company using triple bottom line thinking effectively within its operations.

Example: Sociocracy

The Sociocracy method of governance, in which each decision is made with the consent of all stakeholders, can be a powerful tool for creating a healthier workplace. 

Unlike some kinds of consensus (there are too many variations to list – unanimous agreement, supermajority votes, informal agreement, etc.), sociocratic consent does not require everyone to agree that a proposal is a good idea. Instead, participants simply need to agree that a proposal is “good enough for now and safe enough to try.”

If a participant identifies an unacceptable cost or risk, the information is welcomed. Skeptics are celebrated alongside visionaries in Sociocracy. If the cost or risk can be managed or reduced enough to make the proposal an affordable experiment, the default answer is “Yes.”

This combines the ability to rapidly evolve with an attention for social and organisational safety which simply cannot be matched by a majority-rule or authoritarian system of workplace governance.

This commitment to being guided by consent is built into the structure of sociocratic organisations through double-linking, the practice of combining the top-down leadership delegation of traditional bureaucracies with the election of bottom-up representatives selected by the teams reporting up their hierarchy. 

This two-way (or double-linked) system of leadership means that every part of the organisation has the ability to steer every other part. It is truly a system of circular power.

Conclusion

Whether you’re leading a large organisation or working in a small business, you’ll benefit from creating a healthier workplace: a place where everyone can accomplish their goals and increase their wellbeing without harming their broader society or environment. Numerous examples exist, and they are enriching their employees, their owners, their customers, and the world as a whole. I hope you can join us.

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Affordability is a number.

The term “affordable housing” is generally used to describe where the cost is 80 per cent of a market value. However, the definition is problematic because it depends on your other expenses, plus the size and makeup of your household.

And most importantly, the location, 80% of £1m? It isn’t affordable! This is where the system is constantly against you because developers can’t make the numbers work so well in lower-value areas when they have to build and sell for 80% of the market value, so fewer of them choose to. 

“Affordable” doesn’t necessarily mean “cheap.”

But what does “affordable housing” mean?

• Affordable doesn’t necessarily mean cheap. So it comes back to your circumstance. Many people will struggle and often must rely on other forms of assistance, such as credits or payments.
• Affordable housing is not low-income housing. 
• Cheap isn’t always public or social, either. 

Working people need assistance with affordable housing.

Tax credits are a form of subsidy designed to help low-income households meet their housing needs. But let’s be clear: tax credits are not helping the poor.

Instead, tax credit programmes are so that only a tiny portion of the total funds allocated for them go toward subsidising affordable housing for low-income families—the rest goes straight into private industry’s pockets as incentives to build.

The system as we know it today arose out of many laws over time, so no one knows exactly where all the pieces come from or how they fit together. This makes any attempt at reform difficult because there are so many moving parts; more importantly, this lack of clarity creates a lot of confusion about what exactly we’re trying to fix.

Even if there were an obvious point for reformers to focus on—there would still be questions about whether those organisations should exist or be something else entirely (like another government entity).

Housing policy has a lot of winners and a lot of losers.

The winners in this story are the people who own their homes, and the losers are those who rent. In other words, we’re talking about homeowners versus renters. And while not everyone can afford a house, most people over time have done.

However, in the past 30 years, that has slowly turned the other way with the massive increase in land value, making it impossible compared to stagnant wages. 

That’s why many rent-burdened households today and fewer young people own homes.

Renters who make below £30K per year cannot afford much unless they use a bank of mum and dad. 

As policymakers continue searching for solutions to the affordable housing crisis, it’s a generation of young people with no security and spiralling costs which continue to suffer. The term has become meaningless because it can mean many things to many different people.

But there is no doubt that families across the UK are struggling with rising rents. It isn’t just an issue of semantics—it affects millions of households paying too much money each month for shelter. Affordable housing exists, but it’s now taken up by a growing number of people who need it because wages and the cost of living spiral. 

But it’s not as simple as saying “build more houses!” or “make them cheaper!” 

Instead, we need comprehensive solutions that address supply and demand factors impacting housing costs, such as land cost, planning laws and housing choices. 

In our opinion, buyers and renters need more choice, that’s why we exist, to create Better Places to Live Co-designed by the people who will live in them.

Why not take our 1 minute quiz to see if you need a ‘better place to live

https://betterplacestolive.scoreapp.com/

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New Cohousing Development site in the heart of the countryside in East Sussex.

The post New Cohousing Opportunity: Embrace Rural Living in East Sussex appeared first on A Fairer Society.

In the heart of every community, there are stories of resilience, unity, and transformation. These stories often go unnoticed, yet they are the threads that weave the fabric of our society. At A Fairer Society, we believe in the power of these stories and the impact of micro grants in fostering local community connections.

Ayeeyo & Awoowo: Fostering Community Wellbeing

In the Somali Elderly community, a simple gathering became a beacon of hope and unity. Ayeeyo & Awoowo, with the help of a micro grant from A Fairer Society, organised a heartwarming meet-up designed to promote mental health and wellbeing. The event was a resounding success, with delicious food, great company, and an atmosphere of unity and support. This story is a testament to how small grants can have a profound impact on local communities.

Eastville Warm + Welcome Space: A Haven of Support and Camaraderie

The Eastville Warm + Welcome Space is another example of how a micro grant can transform a community. The grant allowed the group to purchase food items for their lunch meals, creating a space where everything is ‘free’ of cost. This approach fostered a richer connection with everyone, creating a space of no judgement and no monetary requirements. The impact of this initiative was far-reaching, with participants reporting the importance of meeting people in their communities and having a warm space to visit.

Rebecca Oregan: Beautifying Streets and Fostering Community Spirit

Rebecca Oregan used her micro grant to beautify her street and foster a sense of community among her neighbours. She purchased mainly second-hand pots and new plants, sparking renewed discussions about gardening and planting for pollinators. The initiative not only lifted the street’s aesthetics but also raised awareness about the importance of front gardens and recycling.

Ridgeway Road: Building Stronger Communities

Ridgeway Road’s story is a testament to the power of community. Their micro grant was used to purchase plants, compost, paintbrushes, and new 20mph signs. The event brought together residents from approximately 20 households, with around 15 children free to play together in the street. The feedback from neighbours and kids has been overwhelmingly positive, with lots of demand to do it again!

School Uniform: Saving Money and Reducing Waste

The School Uniform project used their micro grant to buy plastic storage boxes for their used school uniform collection. This initiative not only saved uniforms from going to waste but also saved parents money. The project is a great example of how small grants can make a big difference in local communities.

Conclusion

These heartwarming stories highlight the power of micro grants in fostering local community connections. They show that even the smallest gestures can make a big difference, creating a ripple effect of positive change in our communities.

At A Fairer Society, we believe in the power of community and the impact of small actions. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a fairer society. See what difference you could make in your community, follow A Fairer Society. #AFairerSociety #CommunityImpact

Why not take our 1 minute quiz to see if you need a ‘better place to live’

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The challenges we all face…

As a cohousing developer, we deeply understand the challenges and opportunities that cohousing can bring, and we firmly believe in the value and benefits it offers in enabling eco housing. Cohousing, for those unfamiliar, is a housing model where residents actively participate in the design and operation of their community, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared responsibility.

Eco housing, in the context of cohousing, presents a powerful solution to the rising cost of living and helps us become more eco-conscious in several key ways:

Shared Resources, Shared Costs:

By pooling resources and sharing the expenses associated with maintaining an eco-friendly community, the financial burden on individuals can be significantly reduced. Cohousing allows residents to benefit from collective buying power, making sustainable technologies and materials more accessible.

Sustainable Design & Infrastructure:

Cohousing communities emphasize eco-friendly building practices, such as energy-efficient construction, renewable energy sources, rainwater harvesting, and green spaces. These measures not only lower utility bills but also contribute to a reduced carbon footprint.

Community Knowledge and Support:

Living in a cohousing community provides a rich environment for knowledge exchange. Residents can learn from each other, share best practices, and collaborate on sustainable initiatives, amplifying the collective impact on the environment.

Reduced Commuting & Transportation:

Cohousing developments are often strategically located near essential amenities and public transportation, encouraging residents to minimize their reliance on personal vehicles. This translates to lower carbon emissions and a reduced environmental footprint.

Eco-Conscious Lifestyle

Cohousing promotes a lifestyle that is centered around shared values, including sustainability and environmental responsibility. When residents are actively engaged in creating a greener community, they are more likely to adopt eco-conscious habits in their daily lives.

Our Vision at A Fairer Society: Building Sustainable Communities

At A Fairer Society, we are dedicated to empowering individuals who strive to tread lightly on the planet. By harnessing the power of a community approach, we aim to create cohousing developments that prioritize sustainability, foster a sense of belonging, and inspire positive change in the way we live.

Our services not only focus on designing and developing eco housing projects but also on nurturing a strong sense of community. We believe that by bringing people together, we can amplify the impact of their collective efforts and create a brighter, greener future for all.

If you are someone who shares our vision of a sustainable world and yearns to be part of a community that actively works towards that goal, we invite you to explore the possibilities of cohousing with us.

Join the Cohousing Movement: Your Invitation to a Sustainable Future

Together, we can create a better, more eco-conscious way of living that benefits both our wallets and our planet. Let’s embark on this transformative journey, one home at a time.

If you’re interested in learning more about cohousing and how it can help you live more sustainably, visit our website where we have numerous articles about co-housing and projects around the UK.

A Fairer Society Blog

UK Cohousing Projects

And why not take our 1 minute quiz to see if you need a ‘better place to live’

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