Page 206 - (DK) The Business Book

204 THE LEARNING ORGANIZATION

hen a company is Discipline (1990). In this book he
IN CONTEXT devoted to the set out the five disciplines to which
W development and an organization should aspire in
FOCUS
education of its employees it will order to succeed in the long term:
The personal approach
be able to reinvent itself constantly, personal mastery; mental models;
KEY DATES adapting to the market due to the shared vision; team learning; and
1920s Charles Allen develops intellectual skills and commitment of systems thinking—the fifth
a training program for its employees. If the key to success discipline, which incorporates
shipbuilders in the US, which in a rapidly changing marketplace the preceding four.
involves personal teaching is adaptability and foresight, then
intended to develop loyalty. it makes sense to train and foster The five disciplines
talented individuals as a means of The first two disciplines are
1950s Job training becomes marshaling an entire organization. individual. By personal mastery,
individualized, replacing the This is the essence of what Senge means that individuals
teacher with programed management authority Peter Senge should use their own interest
materials that employees work called “the learning organization,” and curiosity to improve their
through at their own pace. a place “where people continually capabilities. Mental models refers
expand their capacity to create the to ingrained ways of thinking,
1984 Professor Richard
results they truly desire, where new which should be challenged so
Freeman proposes that
and expansive patterns of thinking that individuals become aware
workers are “stakeholders”
are nurtured, where collective of why they think in a particular
and are vital to the survival
aspiration is set free, and where way, and of the effect this has on
of the organization.
people are continually learning behavior. Senge encouraged
1990 Peter Senge publishes how to learn together.” To reach employees to analyze their own
The Fifth Discipline, this ideal a company should adopt a subtle mental filters and to be
advocating “the learning collective, community-minded prepared to question and change
organization.” approach so that employees feel them in order to adapt to the future.
part of a worthwhile enterprise The remaining three disciplines
that will nurture them, and in are collective. The goal of shared
return those employees will show vision involves the members of an
commitment to the business. organization deciding together
Senge proposed his vision for what they want to create and
a corporate utopia in The Fifth agreeing on targets and processes

The work force
...a smart and needs to
adaptable challenge itself
work force. and the
business.
To compete in To excel, tap
a constantly into people’s
changing
marketplace capacity to
a company needs... learn.
The business
...a responsive must learn from
and insightful its employees and
approach.
constantly adapt.