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KM in Fifth Discipline
About Fifth Discipline
Fifth discipline is a tool or concept that will transform an organization into a "learning organization". It is invented by Mr. Peter M. Senge. The details of these disciplines are discussed below.
 
KM in Fifth Discipline
Systems Thinking

System thinking is a conceptual framework, a body of knowledge and tools to make the full patterns clearer, and to help us see how to change them effectively.

System thinking is a discipline of seeing wholes. It is a framework for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeing patterns of change rather than static "snapshots." Today, system thinking is needed more than ever because we are becoming overwhelmed by complexity.

Personal Mastery

Mastery means a special level of proficiency. People with a high level of personal mastery are able to consistently realize the results that matter most deeply to them - in effect, they approach their life as an artist would approach a work of art. They do that by becoming committed to their own lifelong learning.

Personal mastery goes beyond competence and skills, though it is grounded in competence and skills. It goes beyond spiritual unfolding or opening, although it requires spiritual growth. It means approaching one's life as a creative work, living life from a creative as opposed to reactive viewpoint.

When personal mastery becomes discipline - an activity we integrate into our lives - it embodies two underlying movements. The first is continually clarifying what is important to us. The second is continually learning how to see current reality more clearly.

Mental Models

"Mental models" are deeply ingrained assumptions, generalizations, or even pictures or images that influence how we understand the world and how we take action.

Why are mental models so powerful in affecting what we do? In part, because they affect what we see. Two people with different mental models can observe the same event and describe it differently, because they have looked at different details.

Just as "linear thinking" dominates most mental models used for critical decisions today, the learning organizations of the future will make key decisions based on shared understandings of interrelationships and patterns of change.

Building Shared Vision

Shared vision is a vision that many people are truly committed to, because it reflects their own personal vision. If any one idea about leadership has inspired organizations for thousands of years, it's the capacity to hold a shared picture of the future we seek to create. Shared vision is vital for the learning organization because it provides focus and energy for learning.

Shared vision fosters risk taking and experimentation. Visions spread because of a reinforcing process of increasing clarity, enthusiasm, communication and commitment. As people talk, the vision grows clearer. As it gets clearer, enthusiasm for its benefits builds. Diversity of visions will grow until it exceeds the organization's capacity to "harmonize" diversity.

Team Learning

The discipline of team learning start with "dialogue," the capacity of members of a team to suspend assumptions and enter into a genuine "thinking together." The discipline of team learning involves mastering the principles of dialogue and discussion. Team learning has three critical dimensions. First, there is the need to think insightfully about complex issues. Second, there is the need for innovative, coordinated action. Third, there is the role of team members on other teams.

When a team becomes more aligned, a commonality of direction emerges, and individuals' energies harmonize. There is less wasted energy. In fact, a resonance or synergy develops, like the "coherent" light of a laser rather than the incoherent and scattered light of a light bulb.

 
Note: The above information is extracted from "The Fifth Discipline - The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization" - Authored by Peter M. Senge.
Systems Thinking Addressing the KM processes as part of the system that can be easily adopted by the people help improve the systems thinking. Refer to the KM success factors for more details.
Personal Mastery Talent development and developing abilities to naturally collaborate with others helps develop personal mastery. The talent and skills management supported through the Lpcube Talent Manager and understanding the techniques of using our mind helps increase our potential. The Talent Manager and Learning Manager are available as part of Lpcube sharpMind and Lpcube trueAware.
Mental Models Open discussions and brainstorming or parallel thinking processes introduced as part of Lpcube igniTeam and Lpcube Wise Innovations help the people understand the thoughts and mindsets of others and have common view.
Building Shared Vision Management of vision, team, and community, collaborative learning concepts, and collaborative culture addressed by Wise Collaborations help drive shared vision.
Team Learning Proactive planning, collaborative learning concepts, and collaborative cultures play a vital role in achieving team learning. Lpcube Wise Learning drives team or collaborative learning.
Peter M. Senge
For an innovation in human behavior, the components need to be seen as disciplines. By "discipline," I do not mean an "enforced order" or "means of punishment," but a body of theory and technique that must be studied and mastered to be put into practice.
 
 
About Learning
"The organizations that will truly excel in the future will be the organizations that discover how to tap people's commitment and capacity to learn at all levels in an organization."
- Peter M. Senge