Inspirational

To practice a discipline is to be a lifelong learner. You ‘never arrive.’
The more you learn, the more acutely aware you become of your ignorance.(Peter Senge)
Today, I’m kicking off a six-part series on the Five Learning Disciplines, based on Peter Senge’s phenomenally successful The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization (1990). Viewed as the seminal book on the learning organization concept, as well as one of the 20th Century’s most important management books, Senge lays the foundation from which organizations have the opportunity to grow and prosper. He states upfront that he assumes no credit for inventing the five disciplines; they’re the product of the work done by hundreds of people over many years. Senge has devoted, however, many years to studying these disciplines.
Senge is the Director of the Center for Organizational Learning at MIT’s Sloan School for Management and the founder of the Society for Organizational Learning. He has introduced his work to tens of thousands of managers in dozens of organizations throughout North America and Europe. He continues to be seen as one of the world’s leading thinkers on organizational learning. As a continuous learner, Senge continues to explore new areas. In fact, to demonstrate his curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning, his most recent new book delves into sustainability and has received very positive reviews: The Necessary Revolution: How Individuals and Organizations Are Working Together to Create a Sustainable World ( 2008). Also, check out thisBusinessWeek review of his book.
On a personal note I have to short anecdote to share. After studying Senge’s work for five years, I had the occasion to see him in action in September 2000 in Chicago at a conference. By way of fluke, he was connected to my hotel room the evening before his presentation. Peter had just flown in for day two of the conference and his overheads had been lost. He was curious to know how the first...