Completely Updated and Revised
This revised edition of Peter Senge’s bestselling classic, The Fifth Discipline, is based... read full description
This revised edition of Peter Senge’s bestselling classic, The Fifth Discipline, is based... read full description
reviews
Aug 09, 2011
This book is of biblical importance to any 'systems thinker' and/ or a life long learner, specifically in a organizational context as opposed to a lone ranger situation.
The book traces the endemic learning disabilities that plague most organizations, expounds on the fundamental laws of the fifth discipline, and describes typical ‘system archetypes’ that constitute dysfunctional patterns which impede performance.
Upon that foundation, it goes to describe each of the five disciplines: personal mast More...
The book traces the endemic learning disabilities that plague most organizations, expounds on the fundamental laws of the fifth discipline, and describes typical ‘system archetypes’ that constitute dysfunctional patterns which impede performance.
Upon that foundation, it goes to describe each of the five disciplines: personal mast More...
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Sep 21, 2010
Jack
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This book isn't so much a knowledge management book as a tome on management philosophy. Senge has a lot of great ideas and thoughts throughout the book. There is the concept of leaders advocating vs. inquiring. The “what I say vs. what I do” idea of Espoused vs. In-use theories. The heart of the book is centered on five characteristics (disciplines) that organizations need in order to move into the next level of quality and competition.
I. Systems Thinking. This is the ability to see the p More...
I. Systems Thinking. This is the ability to see the p More...
Jul 04, 2010
Adam
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Stumbled upon a copy this week and decided to re-read. I found it more enjoyable now than I did when I read it the first time, perhaps because systems thinking has become such a core part of what we discuss in our company and with our clients.
Most of the texts that I read on systems thinking when I was in school and even today are written in a very 'smarter than you' tone; I think that one of the greatest features of this book is that its choice of language is very accessible.
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Most of the texts that I read on systems thinking when I was in school and even today are written in a very 'smarter than you' tone; I think that one of the greatest features of this book is that its choice of language is very accessible.
More...
Dec 26, 2008
Bertpass
rated it: 
This might very well be a seminal book in organizational performance theory, but holy moly what a convoluted mess. I am certainly not arguing that the 5 disciplines are each a cornerstone of high performance in organizations. The way Senge presented this and wrote the book really makes it fairly difficult for useful information to pop out at you. There is a lot going on here and I've always found it interesting that a proponent of team learning and personal mastery did not write his theories con
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Apr 21, 2011
Paul
rated it: 
Peter Senge's much admired book on building learning organizations and communities of learning is essential reading for trainers and anyone else interested in how successful learning is fostered. He introduces his key themes--systems thinking, personal mastery, mental models, building a shared vision, and team learning--in the first several pages of the book, then takes us on an engaging exploration of those themes as he shows us how successful learning organizations develop through what he term
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Jan 07, 2012
Helene
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Though this is NOT an easy read, it IS a must-read for everyone in a leadership position, and that really does include teacher-leaders. I think I started it four or five times before I was able to finish it. I would pick it up read a few chapters and then drop out. I'd pick it up again, start over, and then drop out again. It was Wyllis Terry who finally said, don't start it over, just keep reading from where you left off which allowed me to finally finish it. I'm glad I did. It is such a basic
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Mar 20, 2011
Ben
rated it:
It is hard to gauge the impact this book had when it was first published, the ideas presented are firmly entrenched into business literature now. Senge spends a lot of pages promoting his ideas, more than the pages spent explaining it. And most of the pages of explanation are more philosophical than practical. I had the added disadvantage of reading the updated version, with a 100 more pages devoted to how great the book is. There are other books that do a better job of explaining, as well a
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Jun 16, 2009
Chris
rated it:
This book has been around for a long time but it seems that the main messages it contains (My major take-aways):
- cause and effect are about large numbers of interactions at many levels that are not necessarily proximate in time.
- people really listening to each other and being motivated by each other is how things really get done
are only now starting to really be internalized and popularized.
It's not the Human Genome Project, it's proteomics and the epi-genome (ho More...
- cause and effect are about large numbers of interactions at many levels that are not necessarily proximate in time.
- people really listening to each other and being motivated by each other is how things really get done
are only now starting to really be internalized and popularized.
It's not the Human Genome Project, it's proteomics and the epi-genome (ho More...
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Oct 22, 2008
Andre
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Diante das modernas tecnologias que marcaram a virada do milênio, não há como se escapar da pergunta: como será a administração dos negócios no século XXI? O livro “A Quinta Disciplina”, escrito por Peter Senge, considerado um clássico da literatura de Administração de Empresas, continua apresentando algumas das melhores respostas a essa questão.
Dois aspectos fundamentais do mundo atual, que contribuem para dificultar quaisquer previsões acerca do futuro, são o ritmo acelerado de mu More...
Dois aspectos fundamentais do mundo atual, que contribuem para dificultar quaisquer previsões acerca do futuro, são o ritmo acelerado de mu More...
May 11, 2009
Ime'...
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Fifth Discipline is one of those books recommended for those who wants to learn about system dynamics; but then again, if i have to review this book from system dynamics's side, i don't think this book is a good one. You need to know quite a bit about system dynamics to understand it more through this book. Yet, from management side, i think this book is a great one.
I should say that this is a must-read book for those people reign in the management cycle. Because this book consists t More...
I should say that this is a must-read book for those people reign in the management cycle. Because this book consists t More...
Feb 01, 2009
Abraham
rated it:
Rarely would I use this term to describe anything but the good book itself but here goes..."this book is the bible for any leader/manager".
Or maybe a better description would be "the canon", since it is a definitive work but one, as by the theme of the book suggests, that can and should be improved upon.
The book is both frustrating and refreshing for the same reason - it doesn't try and present it's ideas in an "easily" replicable framework. More...
Or maybe a better description would be "the canon", since it is a definitive work but one, as by the theme of the book suggests, that can and should be improved upon.
The book is both frustrating and refreshing for the same reason - it doesn't try and present it's ideas in an "easily" replicable framework. More...
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Aug 10, 2008
Jennifer
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This book is 20 years old and is seminal in the fields of organizational development and coaching. I finally read it this year because of my work as a trainer of coaches for Fielding Graduate University's Evidence Based Coaching Program.
I've found it profoundly moving and Peter Senge is a new hero of mine. The fifth discipline is Systems Thinking. The other four are Personal Mastery (a favorite of mine as you friends know), and the others are Mental Models, Shared Vision and Team Le More...
I've found it profoundly moving and Peter Senge is a new hero of mine. The fifth discipline is Systems Thinking. The other four are Personal Mastery (a favorite of mine as you friends know), and the others are Mental Models, Shared Vision and Team Le More...
Jun 26, 2008
Kevin
rated it: 
A poorly written and contradictory case for systems-thinking.
I was extremely disappointed and most of all, frustrated, reading this book. First of all, systems thinking is critical to business, as Mr. Senge asserts. His archetypes and principles will assist one [if you can discern through his explanations] in seeing these interrelationships and patterns among people and process, thus being able to use them to one's advantage. Sadly, and most unfortunately, he is unlcear - and even c More...
I was extremely disappointed and most of all, frustrated, reading this book. First of all, systems thinking is critical to business, as Mr. Senge asserts. His archetypes and principles will assist one [if you can discern through his explanations] in seeing these interrelationships and patterns among people and process, thus being able to use them to one's advantage. Sadly, and most unfortunately, he is unlcear - and even c More...
May 29, 2008
Brian
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The Disciplines. Peter M. Senge presents five component technologies, or disciplines, in the book The Fifth Discipline
o Systems Thinking – a conceptual framework, a body of knowledge and tools that make the full patterns of invisible fabrics of interrelated actions (systems) clearer and which helps to change them effectively
o Personal Mastery – as with a master craftsman, this is a continual clarifying and deepening of our personal vision, focusing of our energies, developing pat More...
o Systems Thinking – a conceptual framework, a body of knowledge and tools that make the full patterns of invisible fabrics of interrelated actions (systems) clearer and which helps to change them effectively
o Personal Mastery – as with a master craftsman, this is a continual clarifying and deepening of our personal vision, focusing of our energies, developing pat More...
Dec 28, 2009
Colleen
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I am only half way through this book and I have already come away with a changed mindset. Although this is a book on process organizational systems in terms of industry, it clearly has applications in many other areas, including education. My one warning is that once you start viewing the organization in Senge's terms you will become even more frustrated with the lack of communication and understanding of management as a whole in whatever job you currently work--especially if excellence is you
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Jun 08, 2009
Christina
rated it:
This book breaks down the organization by targeting on group problem solving utilizing the systems thinking method to change companies into learning organizations. The book examines the use of the five disciplines for growing three core learning capabilities: fostering aspiration, growing reflective conversation, and understanding intricacy.
Basically it breaks down the role of the organization and how each individual fits within the organization.
Basically it breaks down the role of the organization and how each individual fits within the organization.
May 31, 2009
James
rated it:
Another eye-opening book that belongs in the toolkit of anyone working to improve processes in an organization, be it a business or a charitable foundation or a government agency. One of the most educational times in my career was a few years when I worked in the state health department supporting county and tribal health councils around the state, and this book along with the Fifth Discipline Fieldbook was one of our key references.
Apr 09, 2009
Darwin
rated it:
I actually never finished reading the book but here is the reason why.
When I was reading the book, it was pointing out some serious mistakes that the company I was working for was making. I was trying to share what I was learning with the powers that be but to no avail. The more I read the more frustrated I would become until I had to stop reading. I plan to return to the book and finish reading. The information was very good.
When I was reading the book, it was pointing out some serious mistakes that the company I was working for was making. I was trying to share what I was learning with the powers that be but to no avail. The more I read the more frustrated I would become until I had to stop reading. I plan to return to the book and finish reading. The information was very good.
Mar 26, 2009
Samir
rated it:
This is my bible in Human Resource field. I am highly influenced by Peter Senge. I studies this book 15 years ago as a part of my MBA curriculum and found it impressive. Over a period of time, I have only become more aware and the disciplines have made so much more sense. I recently read it one more time and found many things that I can use even now.
Oct 13, 2011
Steve
rated it:
One of the most influential books I have ever read. It explores concepts which I have until this point considered disparate ideas, and combines them into five interdependent, complementary and concise disciplines. It describes them to a deep level of detail, and pushes your thinking. I will continue to think about these, deepen my understanding of them, and practice them for years to come. It is obvious that most organizations do not have a deep and genuine commitment to developing their peo
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Jun 09, 2011
Jim
rated it:
If you are interested in systems thinking, this is where you start.
But don't start if you are prone to depression when you understand why organizations fail or worse, are designed to get what they are getting!
But if you have a calling to attempt something bigger, better, and redesigned from the start, courage! and read on!
But don't start if you are prone to depression when you understand why organizations fail or worse, are designed to get what they are getting!
But if you have a calling to attempt something bigger, better, and redesigned from the start, courage! and read on!
Feb 27, 2011
Chandra
rated it:
It would be five stars, if it offered more than a glimpse of what to do with our knowledge once we understand what learning organizations are. The sections on the disciplines, though, are fabulous, and the text gives plenty to think about, to adopt and adapt into our lives as managers...or just as citizens of this world.
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Jan 23, 2011
Maureen
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Great concept book, I read it for my masters program in OD at least ten years ago but I wouldn't say its user friendly. Systems theory is tough to understand and Senge moved the ball down the field with this book. I talk about him as a corporate trainer often --mostly in encouraging "learning" organizations.
Apr 20, 2011
Robin
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Having used many of these ideas over the past 13 years this has been an important book in my career. With that said, it is laid out in a bit of a convoluted way. I strongly recommend it for anyone that is involved in organizational development. But I don't have to. You have already read it.
Jan 07, 2009
Rach
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This book has some great insights on how to go about systemic change in a Learning Organization. I learned a lot about how people change and what needs to be in place for this to happen. It has been helpful when critiquing new curriculum implementation, and new technology implementation.
Oct 26, 2011
Jerry
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I read this one in the 90's for work. It gave me a lot of insight in how to make teams work and contribute myself in a more effective way. It is a lot more detailed and dry than some of the more current popular business books which are quick cases studies or more cursory.
Mar 29, 2009
Selma
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I think learning organization is one of the best concept of management and leadership. It was not directing us to a special model or management formula, it just inspire us with the step of organization metamorphosis, and we can feel it in the healthy organization.
Sep 28, 2009
Michal
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Senge provides a powerful insight into how systems work (or not) and what defines a system. It is a lens through which it is easy to gain new and fresh understanding on leadership and organisations, and particularly - on interrelatedness and on processes.
Dec 11, 2008
Rebecca
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After having to read a different Senge book for a class, I read this one as a resource for a paper. This is the best of the work I have read by Senge. He believes an organization can be transformed and can transform it's customer service by becoming "a learning organization"
Aug 09, 2011
Pedro
rated it:
A classic (or The classic) on systems thinking.
Initially not sure if it still deserved reading. You know, it was first published in 1993 and lots of things have happened since then.
But, it still deserves a careful reading.
Initially not sure if it still deserved reading. You know, it was first published in 1993 and lots of things have happened since then.
But, it still deserves a careful reading.
