Richard,
I've reread your posting LO 18908 and the one below. What occurs to me,
and particularly after your comment on Senge's lack of real world
examples, is that LO principles are a product of the desire of individuals
to find meaning, purpose, integrity and enjoyment in their work within
organizations. The assumption is that it will improve the organization as
a functioning body. But the core of the LO is really about how to live a
fulfilling human life in the midst of a modern, complex, hierarchical
organization. Maybe...
Is Senge lacking in real world examples because at the time of the writing
of his book, his message was the call of a prophet in the desert? I note
that since then he has published an article about "communities of
commitment." Community is a descriptive term for how human beings
congregate. It isn't specifically about how products are developed, made,
distributed and sold. I use it in my leadership development work as both
a diagnostic metaphor for getting at the relationship within a team or
organization, and a different way to describe the collaborative nature of
organizational leadership.
Even without real world examples, I think his book resonates with people
because it captures their longings and aspirations. Maybe it is time, as
a LO list, to return to some of the basic principles contained in Senge's
book. We just might discover some new aspect that our prior experience
had not prepared us to see, that now we can.
Finally, while the Fifth Discipline may be thin on real world examples,
the Field Book is filled with them. Question for the list: How have you
used the Field Book to implement LO principles?
Pardon all the questions. And thanks, Richard, for provoking this thread.
Ed Brenegar
Leadership Resources
edb3@msn.com
828/693-0720
--"Ed Brenegar" <edb3@msn.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>