From Broken to Fixed: Reimagining Society with Human-centric Models

📖"Broken" by Paul LeBlanc is a critique of U.S. social systems, calling for a reimagining of education, healthcare, and criminal justice with a focus on human values, and proposing innovative solutions such as alternative business models and the 'human work initiative' to ensure a more equitable and humane future.

What you'll find here:

1. Is  "Broken" for you?  

2. What is "Broken" about?  

3. Idea Express: How to put three (3) concepts (Failure of Social Systems, Importance of Human Needs in Social Systems, and Innovations and Alternatives in Business Models) to work for you TODAY!

BONUS: The most interesting concept in "Broken"

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1. IS "BROKEN" FOR YOU?

"Our needs are so massive and our systems so broken that we can only fix them by flooding them with people who are paid enough, cared for enough, supported enough – dare I say loved enough – to extend all of that care to those who need it the most.”

This book is for:

• Academics: "Broken" offers research-backed insights on systemic issues, spurring fresh academic discourse and research avenues.
• Activists: This book provides a deep understanding of societal problems and innovative solutions, bolstering your advocacy work.
• Educators: The critique of the U.S. education system and the proposed improvements in "Broken" could inspire positive changes in your teaching practices.
• Policy Makers: "Broken" delivers comprehensive systemic critique and innovative policy-level solutions that could guide your reform efforts.
• Social Entrepreneurs: The book's focus on human-centric solutions and innovative business models could be a practical guide for your ventures addressing social issues.

2. WHAT IS "BROKEN" ABOUT?

"When systems fail the people they are meant to serve, it’s almost always because of a failure of human values."

"Broken: How Our Social Systems Are Failing Us and How We Can Fix Them" by Paul LeBlanc is a critique of the major social systems in the United States, highlighting their failure to adequately serve the citizens due to an inherent lack of focus on human values and emotional needs. LeBlanc proposes a people-centric approach, envisioning alternative business models like cooperatives and public benefit corporations, and introducing innovative concepts like the 'human work initiative' to address the threat of automation. This book is not just an analysis of systemic failures but a call to action, urging readers to reimagine our societal structures with empathy, compassion, and humanity at the forefront. If you're curious about exploring human-centric solutions to systemic issues, let "Broken" be your guide. Here's a thought: what might our world look like if we prioritized human needs in the design of our social systems?

• AMAZON: Audiobook (6 hours, 55 minutes) and book available:

3. IDEA EXPRESS: HOW TO PUT THREE (3) CONCEPTS* TO WORK FOR YOU TODAY!

1️⃣Addressing Social System Failures 

2️⃣Importance of Human Needs in Social Systems

3️⃣Innovations and Alternatives in Business Models

*You'll find several more concepts in the book

1️⃣ ADDRESSING SOCIAL SYSTEM FAILURES

"To do more for the world than the world does for you, that is success." – Henry Ford

The book delves into the glaring shortcomings of several major social systems in the United States. Despite enormous expenditure on critical sectors like education, healthcare, and criminal justice, these systems continue to underperform and disappoint the very people they are designed to serve. In education, both at K-12 and higher levels, spending is high but outcomes, including academic achievement and affordable access, are dismal. In healthcare, despite high per capita expenditure, health outcomes are poor, with many Americans uninsured and unable to afford necessary medications. In criminal justice, the U.S. incarcerates a disproportionately high number of individuals but fails to rehabilitate them effectively, leading to high recidivism rates.

Page-to-practice ideas:

• Education System: Institutions can shift from a largely standardized curriculum to a more individualized learning plan tailored to a student's interests and abilities. This approach could potentially improve engagement and reduce the high debt load caused by an inequitable education system.
• Criminal Justice System: Policymakers could implement programs that emphasize rehabilitation and reintegration into society over punishment. This would involve investing more in education, vocational training, and mental health services within the prison system.

Page-to-practice ideas specifically for you:

• Academics: Research systemic failures and propose evidence-backed solutions.
• Activists: Advocate for policy changes that address system failures.
• Educators: Teach students about social system failures.
• Policy Makers: Draft legislation to address social system failures.
• Social Entrepreneurs: Develop enterprises that directly address social system failures.

2️⃣IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN NEEDS IN SOCIAL SYSTEMS

"Successful scaling begins with making more, not less, time for human relations."

The book argues that these social systems often overlook the emotional and relational needs of those they serve. It asserts that all people have three fundamental needs: to feel recognized, to hope, and to share their stories. Systems that address these needs are more successful. For instance, doctors who communicate effectively with their patients face fewer malpractice lawsuits. The book also underscores the need for a mix of financial, emotional, and mental support to help people overcome hopelessness and realize their potential. Storytelling, in particular, is emphasized as a powerful way to provide this support.

Page-to-practice ideas:

• Education: Schools could introduce mentorship programs where each student is assigned a mentor who provides personalized guidance and recognizes the student's strengths and abilities, fostering a sense of recognition and hope.
• Healthcare: Healthcare providers could implement more holistic care models, where doctors and nurses spend more time talking and listening to their patients, addressing not only their physical but also their emotional and psychological needs.
• Workplace: Employers could provide platforms where employees can share their personal stories and challenges. This approach could help foster a supportive work culture and boost job satisfaction.

Page-to-practice ideas specifically for you:

• Academics: Develop theories that stress the importance of addressing human needs.
• Activists: To the extent they are not being met, champion the rights of individuals within social systems.
• Educators: Foster a classroom environment that meets students' fundamental human needs.
• Policy Makers: Promote policies that value human needs within social systems.
• Social Entrepreneurs: Design businesses that prioritize human needs.

3️⃣INNOVATIONS AND ALTERNATIVES IN BUSINESS MODELS

"You can have everything you want in life if you just help enough people get what they want in life." – Zig Ziglar

The book questions the dominant business paradigm that prioritizes short-term profits for shareholders. This approach, when applied to social systems, often produces dehumanizing results and poor long-term outcomes. Instead, the book suggests looking at alternative business models, such as co-operatives and public benefit corporations, which consider not only shareholder value but also social impact and the interests of all stakeholders. It proposes that such human-centered business models can better serve social systems. It also presents the concept of a "human work initiative" as a possible solution to widespread job loss due to automation. This initiative would match workers with socially meaningful jobs that require human traits like compassion and empathy, thus providing meaningful work, improving communities, and strengthening the economy.

Page-to-practice ideas:

• Human-Centered Businesses: Businesses could create roles and services that cater to human needs that can't be automated. For example, a company could hire "care navigators" like in the Groups Recover Together model, who would provide human support to customers, going beyond mere transactional services.
• Human Work Initiative: Government and private organizations could work together to launch a 'human work initiative.' This would involve creating jobs in sectors that require a human touch like teaching, counseling, and caregiving, thereby providing employment opportunities while addressing critical societal needs.

Page-to-practice ideas specifically for you:

• Academics: Conduct research on the effectiveness of alternative business models.
• Activists: Promote people-centered business models.
• Educators: Teach students about alternative business models.
• Policy Makers: Advocate for legal changes supporting alternative business models.
• Social Entrepreneurs: Adopt alternative business models for their enterprises.

• AMAZON: Audiobook (6 hours, 55 minutes) and book available:

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BONUS: THE MOST INTERESTING CONCEPT IN "BROKEN" 

If I had to choose one thing, I'd say what I found most interesting is the "human work initiative," a novel approach to addressing the looming threat of automation. Rather than subscribing to the increasingly popular concept of Universal Basic Income, LeBlanc envisions a system that matches displaced workers with socially meaningful jobs that are immune to automation - a proposal that is both innovative and humane.

Which concept did you find most interesting?  

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