(By Dr. Peter Senge)

Not a recipe-book, but a Thinking book. Why most people find it difficult to read?

Unlike a step by step, do-it-yourself book, it is important to understand the concept and theories behind The Fifth Discipline for Learning Organization. Such understanding is very personal. It is not something (program) you could delegate to staff like most managers do. Great benefits can be derived from the book to oneself. A possible self-transformation with totally different perspectives to view the world may be achieved. It would be more useful  to start reading from Mental Model and Personal Mastery disciplines. When you are prepared for a personal journey to understand yourself and the world better, re-read the book will be most fulfilling.

(By Dr. Peter Senge)

After struggling years with TQM, quality practitioners face more frustration than joy in their endeavor. Why?

Most quality practitioners get attracted to the ideals as proclaimed in TQM. But realities show big contrasts. The conclusion is "Top Management is NOT committed", with despair, cynicism and much bitterness. "The Fifth discipline" illustrates a different dimension and does not treat "Top Management commitment" as the issue as it leads to nowhere! What are the pre-requisites to commitment : whether top management or any person in the organization, a deep understanding is necessary? Read and explore "The Fifth discipline". After serious reflection from some of the messages in the book, you may become a more humble person, thereby in harmony with yourself, your organization and your environment.

(By Dr. Peter Senge)

What is the relationship between Learning Organization and ISO 9000 Quality System?

Learning Organisation  involves 5 disciplines : 1) [Systems thinking], 2) [Shared Vision], 3) [Mental Model], 4) [Team Building] 5) [Personal Mastery].

ISO 9000 Quality System contains a set of Management Principles.

On conceptual level, the 5 disciplines can be applied directly / indirectly on to the ISO 9000 Quality System. For example: [Shared Vision] discipline can be applied on {Quality Policy}; [Systems Thinking] discipline can be applied on {Quality System} {Management Review}; {Quality Audit} can be a feedback loop in [Systems Thinking]; {Corrective and Preventive Action} {Statistical Techniques} can enhance "Cause and Effect" relationship understanding, an important loop for [Systems Thinking]; A good analysis of {Management Review} can give much clues to [Mental Model] operating among management members; {Process Design} {Process Control} are critical aspects of [Systems Thinking]; Any serious breakdown in the {Quality System} could be attributed by lack of disciplines in [Personal Mastery] and [Team Learning]

Organizations currently practicing ISO 9000 Quality System can gain deeper insights of their operating system when the 5 disciplines of "The Fifth discipline" are applied.

(By Peter M. Senge, Art Kleiner (Editor), Charlotte Roberts, Rick Ross, George Roth, Bryan Smith )

Are we living in an era of chaos, constant change, uncertainty, not knowing the direction of our world? We certainly feel it in our organizational life!

"Learning" to live in this dynamically complex world, organizations worldwide are experiencing the similar degree of chaos, constant change, not knowing the direction of the entity. Is it the collective experience that gives rise to the world we see it, or the unstable world causes the same symptoms that we experience?

Whatever may be the explanation, "The Dance of Change" tries to show the light in the dark tunnel : where "learning" is still possible, in spite of our daily symptomic problems of 

  * "Not enough time : the lack of a pilot group’s flexibility and control over its own time and priorities:." 
  * "No help : the need for coherent, consistent knowledgeable coaching and guidance and support" 
  * "Not relevant : absence of a clear, compelling business case for learning" 
  * "Walking the talk - the vulnerability and lack of reflection engendered by a gap between espoused values and actions, especially for those championing change." 

But the challenges remain : How do we explore the learning experience? How do we feel the peace and tranquility in this world of complexity? Is it the chaos of our world, or the turbulence of our minds?.

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