The Fifth Discipline

The Fifth Discipline was a required reading for my Quality Control class. I was assigned to present the concepts to the class and apply them to the engineering field. I think this book is very difficult to read because there is a lot of information and the concepts are mixed of business and engineering concepts.
Basically, this book is about how to run an organization. Senge addresses five disciplines that organizations and leaders should strive to master in creating learning organizations. The five disciplines are:
. Personal mastery: similar to continuous improvement. It means continually clarifying our personal vision while striving to see reality objectively.
. Mental models: becoming conscious of our individual and collective mindset or worldview. Good leaders learn to consider other perspectives through inquiry and reflection.
. Building a shared vision: the practice of continually engaging people in articulating personal visions for the future and building a common sense of purpose and vision.
. Team learning: learning skills of dialogue and discussion in order to generate collective learning and produce results that are greater than the contributions of individuals.
. Systems thinking: changing the way we think in order to see the underlying structures of things, the relationships among players and forces, and the dynamic complexity of many problems we face. The essence of this discipline lies in a shift of mind: seeing interrelationships rather than linear cause-effect chains, and seeing processes of change rather than snapshots.

Personally, I recommend everyone who is either in engineering or business major to read this book. It's a great book. Since this book is difficult to read because of the deep meaning of the concepts, it would be better if you put enough time to read.

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A Student Review

Peter Senge's book details in great length the problems that continue to plague many organizations. His outlines clear steps for solving these problems in a logical and systematic manner. In this book Senge outlines what he considers to be learning disabilities that contribute to the problems of many individuals and organizations. To overcome these disabilities he outlines five disciplines that when followed will provide continuous learning and improvement. He extensively covers the revolutionary ideas of his fifth discipline; systems thinking. Today more than ever there is a need to understand this form of thinking for both the individual and any organization that wishes to succeed in the modern global economy.

I recommend this book for any student or employee who would like to make a positive contribution in their current or future workplace.

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An inspiration...,

The Learning Organization remains one of the most talked-of management concepts in today's business world, and nobody is as capable of explaining exactly what is a Learning Organization or what are the requirements for such an elusive concept than Peter Senge.
Senge's main thesis is that for an organization to become a Learning organization, it must embrace five disciplines:
1) Building Shared Vision so that the organization may build a common commitment to long term results and achievement.
2) Mental models are a technique that can be used to foster creativity as well as readiness and openness to change and the unexpected.
3) Team Learning is needed so that the learning is passed on from the individuals to teams (i.e. the organization as a whole).
4) Personal Mastery is the individual's motivation to learn and become better (hence the term Mastery).
and Finally
5) The fifth discipline is that of Systems Thinking which allows to see a holistic systemic view of the organization as a function of its environment.

However, this is not simply a book about management practice.. though it was written primarily for the use managers. This is a book about growth, improvement and continuous development. If you wish to achieve these results for yourself, your home, or your organization, then you MUST read this book.

Senge introduces his ideas and concepts smoothly and in an absorbing style. He is able to explain difficult concepts simply and by the end, you find that you have whole-heartedly embraced his belief in the Learning Organization, in fact, you find yourself yearning for it!

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useful reading

It is pretty heavy book to read since the author tries to give a lot of information in the book, I think if you put time to read and understand the book, it will help you to think more clearly in the future, makes you more organized and be more capable. the author also include several examples in his book making it easier to understand his points.

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A Talented Guru

Peter Senge has a wonderful talent as a founder and teacher of 'learning organization'. I know he has helped many through his deep understanding of the theories and practices on how to make an organization more effective. I know this book will open the minds of all who will read it.

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Good work

This is a great look into ways that businesses can thrive.

Must Read

It's complicated, but its depth is wide-reaching and comprehensive. Highly recommended.

A good step towards personal mastery

The Fifth discipline written by Peter Senge overall is a very interesting book, it has great theories supported with examples which are critical to many different organizations and personal life. The methodologies proposed in the book can definitely help reinforce already existing belief or help highlight mistakes that are currently in existence. Whether someone agrees or disagrees with Senge's views, it is without a doubt a good read.
The only negative aspect of this writing is that although he provides actual stories of businesses succeeding or failing as evidence for his points. Many times he fails to show that his theories are the actual reasons why the companies were able to succeed. One example of this would be the success of the Shell Corporation during the oil crisis. Although he was able to show that with proper mental models the company used was critical to their success, the Shell Corporation could have just as easily have had an improper forecast and failed. Then the example would have been detrimental to his theory instead. Perhaps if Senge were to include fewer examples and explain the examples further so that he can reinforce his points it may be more convincing.
None the less the five disciplines mentioned in the book are useful. Some of the disciplines are focused on changing oneself instead of merely focusing on changing the organization. This way, although trying to change the organization may be long and strenuous to some being able to improve one's personal mastery can be a great accomplishment in the personal aspect. In addition to that being a part of a learning organization with a shared vision is better than one without these qualities. Although it is unsure the importance and effectiveness of the disciplines as heavy as Senge claims, it is certain that results will vary from organization to organization. Despite a few blemishes, the book is a useful read and can help add value to the reader being a part of any organization.

This is a useful book that I strongly recommend

Peter Senge's Fifth Discipline contains the information and practices necessary for an organization to become a learning organization. That being said, the lessons in this book are of great help to anyone looking to improve the way they work within a group, how a group works, and even improve a large multinational corporation. The "five disciplines" are all strongly tied together and spelled out in plain language for many to read, understand, and benefit from. They are, however, quite complex to master. The book teaches people to alter or avoid actions that come naturally with being human. From defensive mechanisms that hinder cooperation, to small scale thinking that keeps people from focusing on an entire system, Senge has written a book that is a must read for anyone that cares and wants to improve upon the way that they or their company works, learns and strives for goals.

Good book for Leaders Out there

The book does explain very well about the five disciplines and he does use good examples such as the Cold War, Water Faucet, and the Beer game. However, I had some hard time understanding the flow of the book contents. It seems like Senge keeps going back and forth between different subject and it seemed quite hard for me to keep up with it. He first starts off the book explaining about Systems Thinking which is the fifth discipline that kind of sums up the other four disciplines and I think it would have been better if he talked more about systems thinking after he has fully wrote about the four disciplines. The most favorite chapter that I enjoyed was his chapters Impetus and Strategies. Those two chapter explain thoroughly about how some organizations have benefited from applying the principles and also explain about the possible strategies that other organizations can use to succeed in their part of the business. I strongly recommend that all of the leaders of an organization should read this book because it has a lot that can be learned on how to become a successful organization.

A Mind-shifting Book

Peter Senge's The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization is a mind-shifting read that flies in the face of traditional business habits and tendencies. Senge contends that Systems Thinking, the "fifth discipline", has to be the backbone of an organization that truly excels. In the first few chapters, Senge presents the Beer Game which illustrates the critical importance of viewing a business as merely one component of a much larger process. The flaw in the beer game is behaving as if your organization is the only piece of the process that you can control. Senge brilliantly demonstrates that all parts of a system are tightly integrated and that they can, and do, affect each other thoroughly.

Many of the ideas in Senge's book are counterintuitive and somewhat complex, but are presented in a straightforward and palpable manner that can be absorbed by most readers with any level of business experience. Throughout his book are pictures and diagrams that prove to be very helpful in grasping some of the more elaborate concepts. Systems thinking can be daunting to grasp at first. However, Senge uses simple, thought-provoking statements such as "faster is slower", "the cure can be worse than the desease", and "the easy way out usually leads back in" to paint the picture of Systems Thinking. While the book is primarily intended for managers, leaders and business owners, it certainly has much to offer for anyone who wants a more well rounded perspective on how to view cycles and systems that we all encounter in daily life.

A well written road map to the use and implementation of a Learning Organization

I was assigned to read this book, "The Fifth Discipline; The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization" for a college Statistical Quality Control course. The book's author, Peter M. Senge is unarguably brilliant and the ideas brought forth in his book emphasize this. The fifth discipline is essentially an encyclopedia of the five learning disciplines; personal mastery, mental models, building shared vision, team learning, and the discipline that ties all others together, systems thinking. Senge's purpose for the book was obvious; to convince top management in a company to use the "Learning Organization" style that he created promoting continuous improvement in all levels of employment from the shop workers to the CEO. This enables a company to be flexible and adaptive in an ever changing social business dynamic such as what is seen in our modern society. This promotion at all levels at a company and its facilitation is the premise of the five disciplines. Each individual must be aware of his or her own visions and purpose as well as remember that their actions, inactions, or decisions have overall effects on others and may perhaps even affect the company as a whole. This idea of systems thinking and self-awareness ties in the four other important book concepts; self promotion and continuous improvement of mind and attitude, perceiving potential limiting beliefs (mental models) that, while long accepted, may hinder the continuous learning attitude and growth promoted in the organization, creating a mutual desire or goal among a group of people more readily allowing learning growth at all levels in an organization, and using the peer network to encourage personal growth as well as giving employees a voice in decision making and discussion hence enhancing the company as a whole.
Senge uses many ready examples to back up his personal dialogue. He uses examples from all sectors of business from insurance to aerospace to the beer market. He also makes extensive use of flow diagrams to visually emphasize his system dynamics theories. However, there are times when Senge takes things into unnecessary detail with continuous repetition of points. There are times in the book where Senge could have put down the pen, yet his points would still be crystal clear. This can turn many away (especially in the first few chapters in the book) from wanting to continue through the book. Some of the book is dry on humor and hard to follow due to the sheer complexity of the topics discussed. Also, many chapters drag on despite the conclusion of the discussion. Though, one other thing to note; you can skip through the book a bit and not miss any key details. It is not a novel, more of an encyclopedia/roadmap with four parts plus one (systems thinking again ties it all together). So, while a bit of the book is tedious and cumbersome to get through, Senge's main points are extremely well written out and are enlightening from any perspective. Overall, I would recommend anyone in a position of leadership (management, supervisor, etc.) to at the least read and understand Senge's main points and a few of his examples illustrating them. They may just broaden the horizons of someone looking for a way to improve overall company system dynamics and interactions between those in a leadership positions and those being directed.

A great book for all

The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization by Peter Senge is a great book which focusing on group problem solving using the systems thinking method in order to convert companies into learning organizations. Senge discussed five disciplines of the learning organization by providing a lot of examples from some famous former and current companies.
The five disciplines are personal mastery, mental models, shared vision, team learning, and systems thinking. Senge also explained and provided excellent examples how to put the theory into practice. Most of these points were written in the views as of an engineer. Managers should really read this book; however, I think everyone should also read it, and you could benefit from the reading.
The book was easy to understand, and it taught us how to improve ourselves in the way of seeing and thinking things differently. Senge suggested us to share our ideas and to learn from each other. By applying the five disciplines, Senge showed us how individual behavior impacts the whole system and how systems create their own crises as well as how to handle certain situations and avoid failures.
The Fifth Discipline was a great book for everyone who is working in an organization. It especially helps managers to become more profession in the ways of seeing, thinking, and practicing. After I read this book, I really love it because it is helpful.

The Big Picture

This book is a definite must read for any person in a higher management position, but the principals that are dealt with can be applied by anyone. The main concept of the book is how we as people grow up dealing with situations piece by piece instead of looking at the big picture. It shows how if you look at an entire system you are more likely to truly solve a problem because you will see interactions between different parts of the system and how one affects another. It also shows how the solution to a problem can sometimes end up being worse than the problem itself. With out using systems thinking, a company will never be able to reach their full potential. The book can be hard to read at times but the information that is taken from it is priceless. If someone was to only pick up the book, and read a chapter or two, vital information can be learned.

Taking the Next Step

After reading the Fifth Discipline, I was inspired to learn more about how to put the practice of Systems Thinking into action within my organization. I found a software product called, Taking the Next Step, which does just that. It picks up where The Fifth Discipline left off. Instead of just reading about systems thinking, Taking the Next Step helped me to actually experience the paradigm, language, method, and technology of Systems Thinking as applied in real-world, case-study examples. You can order the software from the high performance systems website.

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Groundbreaking Work - Must Read for Every Business Thinker

For the 'learning organization,' success depends most on how well the organization thinks. Senge's breakthrough came when he first comprehended and then articulated thinking as an organizational priority for modern business. His work, The Fifth Discipline, left many in the academic and business worlds wondering 'Why didn't I think of that?' The answer: they had considered thinking as essentially an individual task and communicating thought as a group activity. Senge proved the matchless worth of systems thinking, that is: treating business thinking fundamentally as a group learning experience. After reading The Fifth Discipline you will want to read challenging new works such as 'Why Didn't I Think of That? - Think the Unthinkable and Achieve Creative Greatness' where the author takes you to the highest levels of current creative managerial thought so that you, unlike your predecessors in the pre-Senge days, will not end up having to ask yourself 'Why didn't I think of that?'

A guideline for life

This book stresses the fact that people must be constantly learning, and emphasizes that learning is 'doing.' It also teaches how to avoid the destructive non-learning activities which detract from productivity - both in the work-place and at home. This book emphasizes how the individual changes empasized by authors such as Steven R. Covey (Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) can be applied at an organizational level.

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