The Core Disciplines

Kenneth M. YorkSchool of Business Administration

Oakland University

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

2

The Core Disciplines Systems Thinking

Methods, tools, and principles, all oriented to looking at the interrelatedness of forces, and seeing them as part of a common process (a system)

A system is a perceived whole whose elements "hang together" because they continually affect each other over time and operate toward a common purpose

The Fifth Discipline, Peter M SengeSystems Thinking

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

3

The Core Disciplines Examples of systems include

biological organisms (including human bodies), the atmosphere, diseases, ecological niches, factories, chemical reactions, political entities, communities, industries, families, teams--and all organizations. You and your work are probably elements of dozens of different systems.

Systems Thinking

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

4

The Core Disciplines What is the effect of downsizing by 10%

of your workforce? Save on labor costs Employees fear another cut, look for work

elsewhere Better employees can find other

opportunities, others stay Applicants are less likely to apply in the

future, cost per hire recruiting costs increases

Systems Thinking

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

5

The Core Disciplines Team Learning

Team learning is vital because teams, not individuals, are the fundamental learning unit in modern organizations

Unless teams can learn, the organization cannot learn

Team Learning

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

6

The Core Disciplines Building a Shared Vision

Building pictures of the future that foster genuine commitment in people rather than compliance

The fundamental reason for the organization's existence

An image of the desired future The values that describe how we intend

to operate, on a day-to-day basis, as we pursue our vision

Building a Shared Vision

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

7

The Core Disciplines What is your vision for your college

education? To get a degree?

Confuses the degree with the education that the degree represents

To get job training? Prepares you for your career

Why are you here?

Building a Shared Vision

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

8

The Core Disciplines Mental Models

Semi-permanent tacit "maps" of the world which people hold in their long-term memory, and the short-term perceptions which people build up as part of their everyday reasoning process

Deeply ingrained assumptions, generalizations, or mental images that influence how we understand the world

Mental Models

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

9

The Core Disciplines When you apply for jobs, who are you

competing against? When you are a Manager…

What tasks will you be doing? What knowledge will you need? What skills will you be using? What is the standard of job performance

your employer will expect of you? What is the standard of job performance

you will expect of yourself?

Mental Models

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

10

The Core Disciplines As a Human Resources Manager,

what will you bring to the table? How should the job performance of

someone in this job be evaluated? How much should this job pay? Is this training program working? Does this test discriminate? Does this test predict job performance?

Mental Models

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

11

The Core Disciplines Personal Mastery

Continually clarifying and deepening our personal vision, of focusing our energies, of developing patience, and of seeing reality objectively

Mastery means a special level of proficiency; people with a high level of personal mastery consistently realize the results that matter most to them

Personal Mastery

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

12

The Core Disciplines A commitment to excellence, holding

yourself to a high standard of performance

Self-insight into what really matters to you

What do you think deserves your best effort?

Personal Mastery

ORG331: Introduction to HRM

13

A take home exercise What is your Personal Vision?

Work: What is your ideal professional or vocational situation? What impact would you like your efforts to have?

Personal pursuits: What would you like to create in the arena of individual learning, travel, reading, or other activities?

Community: What is your vision for the community or society you live in?

Other: What else, in any other arena of your life, would you like to create?

Life purpose: Imaging that your life has a unique purpose, fulfilled through what you do—describe that purpose

The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook, Senge, Kleiner, Roberts, Ross, and Smith