The Fifth Discipline Paper

Words: 1028
Pages: 5

Literature Review
Peter Senge’s book The Fifth Discipline has made a significant impact in the field of organizational development. His theories have been applied to a number of organizations across the globe. Originally published in 1990, the book has remained relevant and is discussed, taught, and applied to organizations repeatedly. The goal of the ‘disciplines’ taught in Senge’s (2006) book is to create a learning organization, an “organization where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to see the whole together” (p. XXX). Significant literature relates
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Algi and Rahman (2014) found a significant positive correlation between personal mastery and teachers’ competencies. In addition to just continued learning, Senge (2006) stated the central practice of personal mastery is not just the pursuit of knowledge, but involves creating a personal vision. Personal vision is what one truly wants intrinsically. When one looks at personal vision, one must also examine current reality. DeGrosky (2012) wrote “to achieve personal mastery and effective learning, one must critically and honestly examine past experiences” (p. 4) as past experiences contribute to one’s current reality. The gap between personal vision and current reality is called “creative tension” (Senge, 2006, p. 140). This creative tension is an effective power or force to achieve one’s personal vision (Algi & Rahman, 2014; Senge, 2006). Senge (2006) asserts “it’s not what the vision is, it’s what the vision does” (p. 143). The tension between vision and current reality either pulls reality toward the vision or pulls the vision toward reality (Senge, 2006). There is action or movement. Personal mastery gives us the decision to choose whether we hold steady to the vision or not. When we make that choice to pursue our personal vision, and we hone the discipline, our behavior, attitudes, and even our subconscious thoughts change. (Senge,