Creating Desired Futures in a Global Society
ARTICLE REPRINT
Reflections
The SoL Journal
on Knowledge, Learning, and Change
FEATURE ARTICLE
Creating Desired Futures in a Global Society
Peter M. Senge
Published by The Society for Organizational Learning
ISSN 1524-1734
4reflections.solonline.org
FEATURE
Creating Desired Futures in a Global Economy
By Peter M. Senge
change, sustainability, the future of education, and
and societies face is the question: How can we cre-
leadership development. In June 2003, 335
ate desired results in an increasingly interdepen-
researchers, consultants and executives from busi-
dent world? That question has been the focus of
ness, government, and civil society gathered at
Peter Senge’s work for more than 20 years. It also
SoL’s first Global Forum, in Helsinki, Finland. This
is at the heart of the Society for Organizational
article was adapted from Peter’s remarks at that
Learning’s research in innovation, large-systems
forum. — Paul M. Cohen, Senior Editor
T
Peter M. Senge
Senior Lecturer,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Founding Chair, SoL
here’s nothing more elemental to the work of leaders than creating results. But it’s no longer possible to create positive results in isolation. With organizations, economies, and entire societies increasingly interconnected, our actions affect (and are affected by) others, often literally a world away. It’s impossible, in today’s world, to think about how to have an impact in our workplace without also asking ourselves a deeper question: What does it means to live in a global society?
This question was brought home to me by Mieko Nishimizu, one of the most gifted executives at the World Bank. Shortly after attending the SoL Executive Champions’
Workshop in August 2002, she addressed business and political leaders observing the 50th anniversary of Japan’s membership in the post-World War II Bretton Woods Agreements.
Speaking with candor
Reflections
The SoL Journal
on Knowledge, Learning, and Change
FEATURE ARTICLE
Creating Desired Futures in a Global Society
Peter M. Senge
Published by The Society for Organizational Learning
ISSN 1524-1734
4reflections.solonline.org
FEATURE
Creating Desired Futures in a Global Economy
By Peter M. Senge
change, sustainability, the future of education, and
and societies face is the question: How can we cre-
leadership development. In June 2003, 335
ate desired results in an increasingly interdepen-
researchers, consultants and executives from busi-
dent world? That question has been the focus of
ness, government, and civil society gathered at
Peter Senge’s work for more than 20 years. It also
SoL’s first Global Forum, in Helsinki, Finland. This
is at the heart of the Society for Organizational
article was adapted from Peter’s remarks at that
Learning’s research in innovation, large-systems
forum. — Paul M. Cohen, Senior Editor
T
Peter M. Senge
Senior Lecturer,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Founding Chair, SoL
here’s nothing more elemental to the work of leaders than creating results. But it’s no longer possible to create positive results in isolation. With organizations, economies, and entire societies increasingly interconnected, our actions affect (and are affected by) others, often literally a world away. It’s impossible, in today’s world, to think about how to have an impact in our workplace without also asking ourselves a deeper question: What does it means to live in a global society?
This question was brought home to me by Mieko Nishimizu, one of the most gifted executives at the World Bank. Shortly after attending the SoL Executive Champions’
Workshop in August 2002, she addressed business and political leaders observing the 50th anniversary of Japan’s membership in the post-World War II Bretton Woods Agreements.
Speaking with candor