Learning in a System Context
As the workers transition from focusing on their part of their job and begin to see how their part connects to the overall system, not only have the leaders taught the workers systems thinking, the leaders also have transformed their company into a learning organization (Chan, 2015; Lee & Green, 2015). This essay is to highlight how systems thinking, learning organization, and personal mastery function together within an organization. The first part of the paper provides an in-depth comparison of systems thinking and learning organization. The last part of the paper explores the importance of personal mastery to a team and an organization.
Comparing Systems Thinking and Learning Organization
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According to Chan (2015), systems thinking means understanding how the parts work together to make up the whole. Lee and Green (2015) noted that systems thinking take a holistic view of recognizing the non-linear comportments of the internal and external to the system. Abbasi, Akbari, and Tajeddini (2015) marked that systems thinking is about focusing the entire organization on a shared identity. According to Fillion, Koffi, and Ekionea (2015) systems thinking is about a shift of the mind from focusing on sections of work to an emphasis on the whole job. Also, systems thinking changes the mindset of the workers from being reactive to proactive. When employees are proactive, they create the vision of the leader versus reactive where the workers are sustaining the current level of operating. Proactive workers indicate that workers continue to learn and prepare themselves for the unexpected. Not only are the employees asking the ‘what ifs’ questions, but they are also asking the ‘why’ questions. A learning organization invites the ‘why’s’ from the workers. According to Zoltan, Bordeianu, and Vancea (2013), one can tell if an organization is …show more content…
Lee and Green stressed that feedback and learning are essential to systems thinking organization. Neumann (2013) replaced the word feedback with the word reflecting, noting leaders must reflect on the interactions of the parts to gain a better understanding of the system. Learning is the other component to a systems thinking organization. Neumann offered the ‘know why thinking’ approach to learning. According to Neumann (2013), to guarantee learning is happening within a systems thinking organization, leaders need to confirm workers understand the ‘why’ they are doing the job they are doing. According to Simington (2015), people desire to know the ‘why’ behind what they are asked to do for the organization. Simington noted that leaders should embrace the questions from the employees because that provides an opportunity for the leader and workers to explore and innovate new ways to improve the organization. One method of improving a company is to change the environment into a team driven organization. Zoltan et al. (2013) noted a team consist of three factors. The first factor is each member has a skill. Next, the members of the team need problem-solving skills, evaluate situations and make competent decisions. The last factor a team need is people with good listening skills, desires feedback, and members trained in conflict resolution. Zoltan et al. stressed leaders must blend the skills in
For today’s managers, there is a need to learn and to understand the complex nature of complex problems, but not from the simple version, we know and learned from an early age. J. Atwater and Paul Pittman (2006) clarify that as children we learn in a simple linear view. For example, if someone cries, there will be someone there to comfort. A simple action and result, but in reality it is more dynamically complex, not simply a cause-and-effect, or cause and reaction. According to Jay Forrester (1995) , it is hard for a company and senior leadership to evaluate behavior in a complex environment without tools and technology. People do not naturally think systemically or strategically, therefore, managers must be trained in systemic thinking tools and concepts to learn strategic thinking (Forrester, 1995). From the perspective of the structure of an organization, it is important in how the organization structure influences behavior and decision making by placing constraints on what the company has historically known from its experiences, which influence decision-making process within the business. According to excerpt articles from Bob De Wit and Ron Meyer, strategic thinking is not simply framed in the manner in which we have learned in our prior class. In the prior class, we framed our understanding according to Hamel and Prahalad (1996), the rational reasoning approach. To expand on strategic thinking, creative approach must be added to gain additional understanding of De Wit and Meyer’s intent, in addition to a rational systems thinking approach.
(p. 9). The ability to recognize, manage, and direct one’s own process of learning and change is a major component of sustaining resonant leadership (p. 9) and thus, is critical to renewal.
“Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.” William Pollard’s, a 20th century physicist, words show us the power of being proactive, and igniting change to strengthen a company’s productive climate (Sellers, Boone, Harper, 2011). Acme Airlines flight attendants lacked incentive to improve the quality of their work, as a result of distrustful management and overall frustration within the company. Acme took successful steps to rebuild their FA program into a more relationship oriented work environment. Through an understanding of effective leadership, we will use the
Using this feedback constructively, will allow me the ability to better utilize my subordinates and continue to become a stronger leader. I always want to remember, “I don’t know what I don’t know!” This feedback will help me become more aware of those things that are unknown to me. Furthermore, by becoming more self-aware and knowing my peers, subordinates, and leaders will give me the insight to know when to empower my “Airmen” or when to step into a follower role with a
“The team is faced with creating cohesion and unity, differentiating roles, identifying expectations for members, and enhancing commitment. Providing supportive feedback and fostering commitment to a vision are needed from the team leaders (Developing Management Skills).” ... ... middle of paper ... ...
Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge is an organizational management book written by Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus for those who aim to become better leaders. The authors emphasize that having executive positions or being a manager does not automatically make one a leader. A leader is one who inspires his staff, help them find purpose in their work, and effectively implement their plans. They separate the book not quite into chapters on different topics, but rather by four strategies that they have determined are vital for any leader to take on. The strategies are effectively concluded as attention through vision, meaning through communication, trust through positioning, and the deployment of self. A prominent feature of Leaders is the various
Leadership at times can be a complex topic to delve into and may appear to be a simple and graspable concept for a certain few. Leadership skills are not simply acquired through position, seniority, pay scale, or the amount of titles an individual holds but is a characteristic acquired or is an innate trait for the fortunate few who possess it. Leadership can be misconstrued with management; a manager “manages” the daily operations of a company’s work while a leader envisions, influences, and empowers the individuals around them.
(2014) is “the way in which leaders interact, make decisions, and influence others in the organization” (p 237). The culture needs to foster cooperation from all areas of an organization, while providing the ability for adaptation and growth. Not all organizations culture will be the same, there is not a correct one that can blanket all organizations to cozy success. (3) Talent Systems. Human capital drives all organizations, the right people need to be in the right jobs with the correct opportunities for growth and advancement. There must be a constant search for strategic thinkers and leaders able to step up with called upon. The authors mention “Talent Sustainability” (p. 248), there must be enough qualified employees ready to move up so the organization will not stall while searching for others to replace others due to attrition, or other opportunists. (4) Organizational Design, must take a number of variables into account while providing structure to an organization. Hughes et al. (2014) state “the design of the organization is a trade-off between options, each with advantages and disadvantages” (p 253). The correct design can help clear the hierarchy of an organization and the proper channels for
The author has designed the personal learning plan around the diagnosis of his learning needs, statement of specific learning objectives, learning resources and strategies, evidence of accomplishment, how the evidence will be validated, and how the learning will be evaluated. I will concentrate on the five disciplines: Systems Thinking, Personal Mastery, Mental Models, Shared Visions, and Team Learning introduced by Peter M. Senge. This will allow me to expand my leadership abilities at my current job as well as jobs that I may hold in the future. What distinguishes leaders is the clarity and persuasiveness of their ideas, the depth of their commitment, and the extent of their openness to continually learning more. They do not "have the answer," but they seem to instill confidence in those around them that, together, "we can learn whatever we need to learn in order to achieve the results we truly desire" (Senge, 2006). Senge is explaining to us the importance of being open and to expand our knowledge. That is why every leader and employee should create a learning plan, so that they can understand as much about themselves. This allows them not only to believe in themselves, but others to believe in them as well.
By allowing for employees to be increasingly engaged in workplace activities, they are then given the opportunity to develop new skills. Most leaders also encourage for employees to participate in team building activities so that any employee would be more comfortable and have stronger chemistry when working with other members of their respective departments, and with other employees in the company as a whole. Leaders are capable of motivating their subordinates through a series of actions, such as words of encouragement, acts of appreciation, and allowing for employee involvement in key decision making processes in the company. For instance, leaders who appreciate, constantly encourage and assist in the improvement of the tasks performed by their subordinates will be able to build a strong and healthy employer-employee relationship. This good relationship instils the traits of confidence in employees and motivates them to enhance their performance. Excellent leaders commonly try to develop a dialogue or establish open communication with their subordinates. Employees who are well
Mastering yourself is true power.” This quote sets forth the idea that mastering oneself can be obtained by two different ways, that is, by using either natural or learned skills. However, copying qualities that others learn to perfect, is not preferred. When one realizes his natural qualities within himself and molds them into perfection, then he becomes much more powerful. Utilizing natural talents result in better leadership because one is innovating and has a clear vison of what he is best successful in doing. Embracing one’s inter qualities promotes mental and emotional well-being by creating a positive perception on life in daily activities. Mastering ourselves by using one’s natural abilities creates personalized opportunities that are bounding to their life. In conclusion, mastery that develops through natural born skills is preferred because it results in better leadership, greater mental and emotional health, and a refined sense of vocation in
The goal of nearly every company or organization is to motivate those involved towards a unified vision and or goal. When an organization is able to identify the major individual variables that influence work behavior, they can offer an atmosphere that is healthy. Typically, all organizations experience the direct relationship between job satisfaction, and performance. In an effort to maximize the performance of staff within a system it is important to develop an optimal interpersonal chemistry. In order to be most effective, leaders in an organization must have a clear understanding of their employees,
Usually Managers have the role to manage the company’s performance; therefore they must be trained professionally in the field of administration management, Project Evaluation and Maintenance management. The must also be well versed with the adhering to the objectives of performance management in a given company or a business organization. On the other hand, employees of the same organization must be sure and certain of their duties and roles. Certainly, they will work with an aim and focus to achieve specified goals of the company. An organization with suitable management acquires many professionals with appropriate skills and knowledge. On acquisition, the firm will have expectations towards achieving high standards performance across systems management. Such professionals will always work at the best interest of the company, with skill and care and they will go ...
The increasing complexity of problems has necessitated new approaches to problem solving. As such, industries that have been using traditional problem-solving structures such as those in the engineering, building, and construction have had no choice but to review their working practices. Elliman and Orange (2000, p.345-360) suggested that systems methodology is the viable approach to facilitation of effective changes and improvement of work practices given that soft systems methodology can be used to stimulate debate and factor in the input of future participants. However, Green (1999, p.329-340) argued that the potential of soft systems to succeed depends on how early it is introduced in to the project. Problem solving can be done at individual or as a team. But how can we make teams work best? Such questions have attracted the interest of many scholars in various fields and so much has been invested in studying creativity, innovation, motivation, intelligence, and accelerated learning.
It took 12 years to perfect his system. His system was based on tasks and that each worker’s assignments should be pre-planned by management. Each job shoul...