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Beloved Economies: Transforming How We Work
Finalist for the Porchlight Business Book of the Year
*****
Let’s create an economy for everyone.
Based on extensive research with organizations and companies that are boldly breaking out of business as usual, Beloved Economies offer readers an imagination-expanding vision of what work could be.
Authors Rimington and Cea explore possibilities for how we work, learning with more than sixty people from a wide array of enterprises. What these groups have in common is that they are generating forms of success that audaciously prioritize well-being, meaning, connection and resilience―alongside conventional metrics like quality and financial success.
Beloved Economies offers readers seven specific practices as a springboard for changing how we work. As the book reveals, it’s not only what we do, but how we do it that can be a powerful lever to move us into economies that all of us can love.
*****
Let’s create an economy for everyone.
Based on extensive research with organizations and companies that are boldly breaking out of business as usual, Beloved Economies offer readers an imagination-expanding vision of what work could be.
Authors Rimington and Cea explore possibilities for how we work, learning with more than sixty people from a wide array of enterprises. What these groups have in common is that they are generating forms of success that audaciously prioritize well-being, meaning, connection and resilience―alongside conventional metrics like quality and financial success.
Beloved Economies offers readers seven specific practices as a springboard for changing how we work. As the book reveals, it’s not only what we do, but how we do it that can be a powerful lever to move us into economies that all of us can love.
400 pages, Paperback
Published August 30, 2022
52 people are currently reading
688 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 22, 2024
Sigh. I wanted to love this book. And I did love this book in the opening chapter. I mean - "Our business-as-usual economy has obscured the reality that money only matters insofar as it can be used to procure...well-being. The economy hides this fact so absolutely that it incentivizes destroying most other forms of real wealth [occupational, social, community, physical, spiritual] and well-being in order to convert them into money...Worker well-being tends to get attention only as a key to productivity - which, in the way our current economy functions, translates as a way to more efficiently accumulate financial wealth." - come on! Let's gooo!
Alas, this book was a bit of a let down after this. Although the principles for achieving a beloved economy, as they call it, have catchy slogans, they are quite ill-defined and even the examples presented are not that compelling. Basically, at the end of each chapter I was like, wait, it's already over? There is not enough fleshing-out of each concept to really understand it. As the book wrapped up, I was left feeling like it had been grasping at concepts just beyond the fore, ones that we can get to if we all go on a genuine and extensive healing journey but until then, would struggle to implement. And, at the end, the book sounded like a chapter out of Braiding Sweetgrass (and, incidentally, they did quote Robin Wall Kimmerer several time) talking about how if we open up to the interconnected nature of life and the innate biological forces that have been thousands of years in the making, we'll all be saved. Sure, yes, true. But also like... I guess the book can't seem to decide if it's catering to hardcore capitalists or people going on a trip and experiencing a spiritual awakening. Overall, not as hard-hitting, practical, or fleshed-out as I was hoping for.
Alas, this book was a bit of a let down after this. Although the principles for achieving a beloved economy, as they call it, have catchy slogans, they are quite ill-defined and even the examples presented are not that compelling. Basically, at the end of each chapter I was like, wait, it's already over? There is not enough fleshing-out of each concept to really understand it. As the book wrapped up, I was left feeling like it had been grasping at concepts just beyond the fore, ones that we can get to if we all go on a genuine and extensive healing journey but until then, would struggle to implement. And, at the end, the book sounded like a chapter out of Braiding Sweetgrass (and, incidentally, they did quote Robin Wall Kimmerer several time) talking about how if we open up to the interconnected nature of life and the innate biological forces that have been thousands of years in the making, we'll all be saved. Sure, yes, true. But also like... I guess the book can't seem to decide if it's catering to hardcore capitalists or people going on a trip and experiencing a spiritual awakening. Overall, not as hard-hitting, practical, or fleshed-out as I was hoping for.
October 6, 2024
I’m going to keep this book around in hopes that I’ll be able to gain more insight in the future, but I think at this point it was a little too disjointed and vague for me to have many takeaways. Not to mention that many of the projects highlighted were unfinished and had stagnated at the time of publication, which I think hindered the messaging.
September 8, 2022
“Economies are not abstract things separate from us. Economies are us.”
Beloved Economies is a breath of hope for everyone who feels in their soul that “work isn’t working.” The promise of the book is a way to work together that “centers on what makes life good,” and the authors are able to show how this can be done in small, achievable practices.
The thing I love best about this book is that it makes it feel easy to take the first step towards a way of working that feels more freeing, that many of us have stopped daring to look for.
“This enchanted world is the one that has always been there - right under your feet, whispering to you as you sleep, tugging at your shirt sleeve, coaxing you to turn around and see, once again, your larger home and your birthright to belong among all of this.”
“All we have to do is get started. We can create pieces of the beloved economy today.”
Beloved Economies is a breath of hope for everyone who feels in their soul that “work isn’t working.” The promise of the book is a way to work together that “centers on what makes life good,” and the authors are able to show how this can be done in small, achievable practices.
The thing I love best about this book is that it makes it feel easy to take the first step towards a way of working that feels more freeing, that many of us have stopped daring to look for.
“This enchanted world is the one that has always been there - right under your feet, whispering to you as you sleep, tugging at your shirt sleeve, coaxing you to turn around and see, once again, your larger home and your birthright to belong among all of this.”
“All we have to do is get started. We can create pieces of the beloved economy today.”
March 17, 2025
Really interesting book based in research project with organisations looking to practice work differently. Lots of useful findings in how to organise work beyond business as usual, in ways that work towards equality, wellbeing and transformation.
December 29, 2022
I wanted to like this book more than I did. When I read the Anne Helen Petersen interview with the authors, I felt this was a perspective that the world sorely needs, of optimizing for something other than profit and control.
Their central thesis is that capitalism optimizes for centralizing control (and then extracting profits) which is how we get myopic decisions and massive wealth i equalities. But there's nothing in economics that says we have to start from that premise and they posit a different approach starting with sharing control and looking for different perspectives. They draw on indigenous wisdom, and share stories of community and non-profit organizations that embody this "beloved" approach.
I love the message but the book itself left me feeling wanting. The writing was just too dry to engage my attention. They intentionally took a co-operative approach, including many collaborators and sharing many quotes and perspectives, but it felt like the book lacked a clear voice as a result. I ended up skimming through and even skipping several chapters.
Their central thesis is that capitalism optimizes for centralizing control (and then extracting profits) which is how we get myopic decisions and massive wealth i equalities. But there's nothing in economics that says we have to start from that premise and they posit a different approach starting with sharing control and looking for different perspectives. They draw on indigenous wisdom, and share stories of community and non-profit organizations that embody this "beloved" approach.
I love the message but the book itself left me feeling wanting. The writing was just too dry to engage my attention. They intentionally took a co-operative approach, including many collaborators and sharing many quotes and perspectives, but it felt like the book lacked a clear voice as a result. I ended up skimming through and even skipping several chapters.
August 22, 2024
Beloved Economies by Jess Remington and Joanna Levitt Cea explores innovative and human-centered approaches to reshaping the economy and work environments. The book presents seven transformative practices that challenge traditional business models, advocating for more meaningful, connected, and resilient ways of working. Through examples of organizations and communities that have successfully implemented these practices, the authors demonstrate how alternative approaches can lead to sustainable and equitable outcomes.
Central Argument:
Remington and Cea argue that the current economic system largely benefits a privileged few while leaving the majority of workers dissatisfied and marginalized. They propose that by adopting new practices that prioritize inclusivity, collaboration, and care, we can create work environments that are not only more equitable but also more fulfilling for everyone involved. The authors emphasize the importance of workers having a voice in designing their workplaces and the need to rethink traditional economic measures to value human and environmental well-being over profit.
Key Ideas:
• Malleable Protocols: To avoid chaos and ensure inclusivity, the authors suggest agreeing on flexible protocols that allow for collaboration while maintaining order. This approach helps teams make decisions that benefit everyone and fosters trust and engagement.
• Authentic Connections: Building genuine relationships based on mutual care is crucial for creating a supportive work environment. By prioritizing trust and safety, organizations can reduce friction, encourage creativity, and facilitate courageous conversations.
• Learning from Past Injustices: The authors highlight the importance of acknowledging and addressing historical injustices in order to make better decisions in the present and future. This involves creating spaces to reflect on past mistakes and learn from them.
• Respecting Divergent Viewpoints: Embracing diversity of thought and including a wide range of voices in decision-making processes can lead to better outcomes. The authors advocate for creating environments where all perspectives are valued and constructive disagreement is encouraged.
• Sourcing Wisdom from Multiple Knowledge Systems: The book encourages integrating different types of knowledge, including intuition, bodily awareness, and connection to nature, into decision-making processes. This holistic approach can lead to new insights and more innovative solutions.
• Slowing Down for Greater Presence: Contrary to the always-on mindset of traditional business, the authors suggest that slowing down to be fully present in conversations and tasks can lead to better results and prevent burnout.
• Prototyping for Early Feedback: Developing inexpensive, user-friendly prototypes allows for early feedback and iterative improvement. This inclusive process helps create solutions that better meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Writing Style and Approach:
Remington and Cea write in an accessible and thoughtful manner, blending conceptual frameworks with real-world examples. Their approach is both visionary and practical, offering readers clear guidance on how to implement the seven practices in their own work environments. The book is structured to gradually build an understanding of these practices, making it both informative and inspiring.
Strengths and Potential Weaknesses:
The book’s strength lies in its practical examples of how the seven practices have been successfully implemented in various contexts. These examples make the concepts more tangible and demonstrate their potential impact. However, the book may be challenging for readers who are deeply entrenched in traditional business practices, as it requires a significant shift in mindset. Additionally, while the book provides a strong case for these alternative approaches, it may leave some readers wanting more concrete steps on how to start making these changes in their own organizations.
Target Audience:
Beloved Economies is ideal for professionals, leaders, and activists interested in reimagining how work can be more equitable, sustainable, and fulfilling. It is particularly valuable for those who are looking for practical ways to implement change in their organizations or communities. The book will resonate with readers who are dissatisfied with the current economic system and are seeking inspiration and guidance to create a more just and compassionate economy.
Conclusion:
Beloved Economies offers a compelling vision for transforming how we work by challenging the status quo and advocating for practices that prioritize human and environmental well-being. Remington and Cea provide a balanced and thoughtful exploration of alternative approaches, making a strong case for their adoption. The book is both an inspiring call to action and a practical guide for those looking to participate in shaping a new economic reality.
Central Argument:
Remington and Cea argue that the current economic system largely benefits a privileged few while leaving the majority of workers dissatisfied and marginalized. They propose that by adopting new practices that prioritize inclusivity, collaboration, and care, we can create work environments that are not only more equitable but also more fulfilling for everyone involved. The authors emphasize the importance of workers having a voice in designing their workplaces and the need to rethink traditional economic measures to value human and environmental well-being over profit.
Key Ideas:
• Malleable Protocols: To avoid chaos and ensure inclusivity, the authors suggest agreeing on flexible protocols that allow for collaboration while maintaining order. This approach helps teams make decisions that benefit everyone and fosters trust and engagement.
• Authentic Connections: Building genuine relationships based on mutual care is crucial for creating a supportive work environment. By prioritizing trust and safety, organizations can reduce friction, encourage creativity, and facilitate courageous conversations.
• Learning from Past Injustices: The authors highlight the importance of acknowledging and addressing historical injustices in order to make better decisions in the present and future. This involves creating spaces to reflect on past mistakes and learn from them.
• Respecting Divergent Viewpoints: Embracing diversity of thought and including a wide range of voices in decision-making processes can lead to better outcomes. The authors advocate for creating environments where all perspectives are valued and constructive disagreement is encouraged.
• Sourcing Wisdom from Multiple Knowledge Systems: The book encourages integrating different types of knowledge, including intuition, bodily awareness, and connection to nature, into decision-making processes. This holistic approach can lead to new insights and more innovative solutions.
• Slowing Down for Greater Presence: Contrary to the always-on mindset of traditional business, the authors suggest that slowing down to be fully present in conversations and tasks can lead to better results and prevent burnout.
• Prototyping for Early Feedback: Developing inexpensive, user-friendly prototypes allows for early feedback and iterative improvement. This inclusive process helps create solutions that better meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Writing Style and Approach:
Remington and Cea write in an accessible and thoughtful manner, blending conceptual frameworks with real-world examples. Their approach is both visionary and practical, offering readers clear guidance on how to implement the seven practices in their own work environments. The book is structured to gradually build an understanding of these practices, making it both informative and inspiring.
Strengths and Potential Weaknesses:
The book’s strength lies in its practical examples of how the seven practices have been successfully implemented in various contexts. These examples make the concepts more tangible and demonstrate their potential impact. However, the book may be challenging for readers who are deeply entrenched in traditional business practices, as it requires a significant shift in mindset. Additionally, while the book provides a strong case for these alternative approaches, it may leave some readers wanting more concrete steps on how to start making these changes in their own organizations.
Target Audience:
Beloved Economies is ideal for professionals, leaders, and activists interested in reimagining how work can be more equitable, sustainable, and fulfilling. It is particularly valuable for those who are looking for practical ways to implement change in their organizations or communities. The book will resonate with readers who are dissatisfied with the current economic system and are seeking inspiration and guidance to create a more just and compassionate economy.
Conclusion:
Beloved Economies offers a compelling vision for transforming how we work by challenging the status quo and advocating for practices that prioritize human and environmental well-being. Remington and Cea provide a balanced and thoughtful exploration of alternative approaches, making a strong case for their adoption. The book is both an inspiring call to action and a practical guide for those looking to participate in shaping a new economic reality.
October 27, 2022
Beloved Economies frames the loveless economy in a game-changing way. Like most of us, I've been operating in the loveless economy my entire life. Its rules, mores, limitations, and structures are baked into how I've always thought about work, money, and business. Because the loveless economy is the water in which I've been swimming, I often can't see it. It's always been hard for me to understand and articulate, but when I interact with it I feel general dissatisfaction, a longing for things to be different, and a vague sense of being cheated.
Using plain language and laying things out very simply, Beloved Economies makes the water of the loveless economy visible. This book literally helped me flip the paradigm in my own mind by validating my intuition - the loveless economy depletes real wealth and all the things that make life enjoyable.
This book illustrates the apparatus that was generated by the enclosures in European history, settler colonialism, and the plantation economy. The authors explain how these phenomena worked together to enable the accumulation of vast capital for the few while brutally oppressing the many. Seeing this history in relation to our current issues resonates. It gives me the inspiration to move forward in better ways, using the seven steps the authors have detailed through their extensive research. I highly recommend this book!
Using plain language and laying things out very simply, Beloved Economies makes the water of the loveless economy visible. This book literally helped me flip the paradigm in my own mind by validating my intuition - the loveless economy depletes real wealth and all the things that make life enjoyable.
This book illustrates the apparatus that was generated by the enclosures in European history, settler colonialism, and the plantation economy. The authors explain how these phenomena worked together to enable the accumulation of vast capital for the few while brutally oppressing the many. Seeing this history in relation to our current issues resonates. It gives me the inspiration to move forward in better ways, using the seven steps the authors have detailed through their extensive research. I highly recommend this book!
September 7, 2022
The world has changed and with that change comes the need for businesses and business leaders to find a new way of approaching everything we have ever known about business, innovation, and what's possible in the brave new world we're entering.
One of the go-to sections in the book is the Seven Practices which gives a framework on how to take your business, non-profit, or community organization into this new economic future that values human flourishing. It covers aspects such as shared decision-making powers, prioritizing relationships, and pulling from multiple ways of knowing all of which speak to my heart and give me hope.
As a Conscious Consultant working in Conscious Leadership Development, this book is one of the most important books I've read in creating the society I wish to see, live in, and leave to my ancestors.
We need to do things differently and the transformative co-learning collaboration that Beloved Economies offers gives us the opportunity to do that through real-life examples and inspiring reimagination.
This is a must-buy book for anybody looking to create a better world for us all.
One of the go-to sections in the book is the Seven Practices which gives a framework on how to take your business, non-profit, or community organization into this new economic future that values human flourishing. It covers aspects such as shared decision-making powers, prioritizing relationships, and pulling from multiple ways of knowing all of which speak to my heart and give me hope.
As a Conscious Consultant working in Conscious Leadership Development, this book is one of the most important books I've read in creating the society I wish to see, live in, and leave to my ancestors.
We need to do things differently and the transformative co-learning collaboration that Beloved Economies offers gives us the opportunity to do that through real-life examples and inspiring reimagination.
This is a must-buy book for anybody looking to create a better world for us all.
December 27, 2022
You won’t find a better read in this breathtaking new book “Beloved Economies: Transforming How We Work” by Joanna Levitt Cea and Jess Rimington. It provides a framework for the future of work that prioritizes meaning, connection, and resilience over-exploitation, extraction, and scarcity. The seven practices in this book give a clear outline of what’s possible, it includes inspiring real-life examples of how to create a more transformational future for us at work. The book is an audacious balm for the soul. I highly recommend it!
December 31, 2022
I want to shove this book in everyone’s face and say “See! It’s possible! Read this!” But I will refrain and try to gently work it into conversation as much as possible. Beautifully developed and executed.
May 3, 2023
"Work isn't working for anyone." This foundational premise is the launching point for an exploration of what could be as seven practices discovered through research provide evidence based hope for a transformational tomorrow.
December 31, 2023
Work that works is possible
1. Share decision making power
2. Prioritize relationships
3. Reckon with history
4. Seek difference
5. Source multiple ways of knowing
6. Trust there is time
7. Prototype early and often
1. Share decision making power
2. Prioritize relationships
3. Reckon with history
4. Seek difference
5. Source multiple ways of knowing
6. Trust there is time
7. Prototype early and often
March 13, 2023
A lot to mull over. The seven practices make sense intuitively for those in organizing / movement work, it's great to see how they have been applied at an organizational / institutional level.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews