Course Name: Seminar on Organizational Learning
Date: May 6 & 7, 2023
Classroom: Nantou City
Department: Department of Adult and Continuing Education, National Chung Cheng University
Instructor: Ming-Lieh Wu
Student ID: 810710004
Name: BEI-YUN WANG
During this workshop, participants learned about the fifth discipline, which focuses on systems thinking and how to identify the underlying structures that shape team behavior. The Fifth Discipline is a book by Peter Senge that describes a set of five disciplines or practices essential for creating a learning organization. The five disciplines are:
Systems thinking - the ability to see the organization as a system and understand the interrelationships and interactions between its parts.
Personal mastery - continually clarifying and deepening one's unique vision, focusing energies, developing patience, and seeing reality objectively.
Mental models - the ability to uncover and examine the deeply ingrained assumptions, generalizations, and beliefs that shape our perceptions of the world and our actions.
Shared vision - the process of developing a shared understanding of the future we seek to create and the principles and practices by which we hope to get there.
Team learning - the practice of aligning and developing the capacity of a team to create the results its members truly desire.
The concept of the sixth discipline is not explicitly discussed in Peter Senge's book "The Fifth Discipline." However, some have referred to "The Sixth Discipline" as the ability to integrate and apply the first five disciplines coherently and effectively. In other words, the sixth discipline is about using systems thinking, personal mastery, mental models, shared vision, and team learning and continuously improving the organization's ability to learn and adapt.
The sixth discipline involves creating a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the organization. It requires a commitment to ongoing education, experimentation, and reflection and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and respond to feedback. Overall, the idea of the sixth discipline emphasizes the importance of integrating and applying the first five disciplines to create a learning organization capable of thriving in an ever-changing environment.
The most memorable experience was visiting Grandpa Lai's bee factory, where we were introduced to the "Honey Flavor Wheel." This innovative tool elevates the appreciation of honey beyond just its taste to include other senses such as smell, visual taste, and psychological feelings. The teachers we met during our visits were also inspiring, sharing their life journeys and breakthroughs selflessly. It reminded us of the concept of equalizing things and unity, as the ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi discussed in "The Theory of the Equality of All Things."
Regardless of the time, people's desire to pursue the common good remains unchanged. Through serving others, we also achieve personal fulfillment. By completing the five exercises, we can better understand ourselves and the world we live in, leading to spiritual growth and realizing our grand visions.
Thank you to all the teachers who taught the class, the students who participated, and all the incredible partners who joined the study. These two days have been full of achievements.