Cultivation, ‘becoming a real human being,’ really is the primary leadership issue of our time, but on a scale never required before. It’s a very old idea that may actually hold the key to a new age of global democracy.
Peter M. Senge
Becoming a Real Human Being
Topic: Justice, Vision, & Leadership
That’s why I think that cultivation, ‘becoming a real human being,’ really is the primary leadership issue of our time, but on a scale never required before. It’s a very old idea that may actually hold the key to a new age of global democracy.
Peter Michael Senge was born in 1947 in Stanford, California, amidst an environment steeped in academic and innovative pursuits. Attending Stanford University, he majored in aerospace engineering and engaged with philosophy, blending technical skill with philosophical depth. His academic path continued at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning a Master's in social systems modeling and a Ph.D. in Management. This educational blend set the stage for Senge's future influence on organizational learning and systems thinking.
In his seminal book, "The Fifth Discipline," Senge unfolds the concept of the learning organization, prioritizing systems thinking and continual organizational improvement. Recognized by the Harvard Business Review for its significant impact, the book challenges the reliance on singular leadership for change, advocating instead for a culture of collective learning and adaptability to overcome resistance to change.
Senge's dedication to personal growth is evident in his practice of Zen meditation and engagement with contemplative traditions since 1996, beginning with a retreat to Tassajara, a Zen Buddhist monastery. This commitment to mindfulness and awareness is central to his approach to understanding and leading within complex systems. Through integrating personal development with professional insight, Senge demonstrates the importance of inner clarity in fostering organizational excellence and adaptability.
Presence
Senge, Peter M., and Otto Scharmer. Presence: an Exploration of Profound Change in People, Organizations, and Society. Doubleday, 2005, p. 186.
Peter M. Senge
Theme: Leadership
About This Peter M. Senge Quotation [Commentary]
In the insightful words of Peter M. Senge, the journey toward true leadership begins not with acquiring skills or attaining positions of power, but with the foundational process of becoming a real human being. This ancient concept, as Senge points out, is crucial for the cultivation of leaders who are capable of navigating the complexities of our time. The essence of this idea is deeply rooted in self-awareness and the understanding of one’s intrinsic values and humanity. It suggests that leadership transcends mere technical competencies or authoritative roles; it is fundamentally about the quality of one’s character and the depth of one’s understanding of life. In a world increasingly interconnected and challenged by global issues, the call for such profound personal cultivation has never been more pertinent.
Senge’s emphasis on ‘cultivation’ as a prerequisite for leadership is a testament to the enduring wisdom of Confucian thought, as translated by Master Nan Huai Chin in “The Great Learning”. This connection between personal development and effective leadership highlights the necessity for leaders to embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal transformation. By aligning with Confucius’s assertion that leadership begins with becoming a human being, Senge underscores the importance of introspection, empathy, and moral integrity in the formation of a leader. It is through this process of becoming ‘a real human being’ that one can truly understand the needs of others and lead with compassion, wisdom, and effectiveness.
The vision Senge presents is one of a new age of global democracy, where leadership is rooted in the universal principles of humanity and service. This calls for a shift in our understanding of what it means to lead, urging us to redefine leadership as an act of serving the greater good rather than dominating or directing. It invites leaders to cultivate themselves in ways that allow them to connect deeply with others and to lead not from a place of authority, but from a shared sense of humanity and purpose. In this context, serving becomes the highest form of leadership, one that is capable of bringing about profound change in individuals, organizations, and society at large. Senge’s vision is not just a blueprint for effective leadership; it is a call to awaken to our shared human potential and to lead with heart, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility to our global community.
Restoring Human Wisdom
“The challenges we face can seem overwhelming. In fact, they are overwhelming us because we don’t appreciate the exquisite web of interconnectedness that enables life in the universe. Wherever we stand, we stand within a web. Human wisdom expressed in many deep-rooted and varied societal traditions around the world has long acknowledged that an understanding of systems in their totality is the only foundation for making sound choices that benefit the health of the whole.
I believe humans have innate capacities, beyond social conditioning, to develop a holistic awareness of their relationship with the world. Activating these capacities starts with seeing the connection between human consciousness and the physical world. This foundational concept is now reentering the mainstream of Western culture. Diverse new scientific theories are legitimating this ancient idea, ranging from the esoteric frontiers of quantum theory (where it is now widely accepted that measured quantum states do not exist independent of how we try to measure them) to systems theory, which continually reminds us that our perceptions of reality shape our actions and, consequently, that reality.
To impact society, this new understanding must penetrate business, education, government, and other core institutions. The professionals in these institutions must create more inclusive and integrated ways of living and working. Such change must encompass diverse global movements, whether holistic health, restorative justice, or learner-centered learning in schools. In business, it will mean recognizing, as interdependence grows, that there are more effective alternatives than managing with traditional hierarchical power. More and more businesses are striving for fewer layers of management and more “self-organization.” More and more are breaking free of mechanical notions of top-down control, starting to see organizations as living systems rather than, as Arie de Geus, author of The Living Company has said, machines for producing money. Again, older notions of self-organizing and self-governing exist throughout the world, in many native and indigenous cultures—wherever human beings have tried to understand nature deeply and to live in accord with its teachings.
When I have heard executives in global companies talk candidly about the future, their real concern usually is not the cost of capital or return on sales; it is the social and political stability of the world they will leave behind. They, too, see the future as an alien place. If it is to become more hospitable, we must rediscover and more effectively apply the human wisdom that is in our nature.”
―Peter Senge, Creating Positive Futures in an Interdependent World [Learning for Sustainability –Peter Senge, Joe Laur, Sara Schley, Bryan Smith].
Peter M. Senge, Presence: an Exploration of Profound Change in People, Organizations, and Society
Becoming a human being
Peter M. Senge, is a professor at M.I.T. and one of the world’s most respected leadership experts. His path includes daily Buddhist meditation. Quoting Confucius, he summarizes: ‘To become a leader, you first have to become a human being’. Peter Senge arranged for his colleague Otto Scharmer to meet with Master Nan Huai Chin, who at the time lived in Hong Kong. Master Nan Huai Chin is a Chan (Zen) Buddhist master, Taoist master, and eminent Confucian scholar. He recently completed a new translation of The Great Learning, the Confucian classic text on how to become a leader.
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