The
Necessary Revolution
The
Necessary Revolution
Peter Senge et al
HC AUD39.95
Each day there are more stories
and examples highlighting the significant crises
effecting all earth systems and the seemingly
slow responses and solutions offered by governments
and organizations. How refreshing then to learn
via numerous case studies the way in which organizations
and individuals are creating a sustainable future.
Early in the first chapter Senge
talks about the new revolution unfolding, the
collective shift to new possibilities that changes
everything over time, how people see the world,
what they value, how society defines progress
and organizes itself.
With our current way of thinking
and acting is it likely that our responses to
the crises will be inadequate. And so then comes
the revolution as more and more people begin
to sense that the individual crisis's, be they
environment or social are interconnected, and
the whole global system is out of balance.
Using the "statement systems"
thinker Buckminster Fuller often used "What
would the economy look like is we operated on
energy income rather than energy capital?"
Senge builds his thesis around the challenges
we face in the three interconnected areas: energy
and transportation; food and water and material
waste and toxicity.
Senge uses case studies to demonstrate
what is possible when passionate people are
inspired to change and replace previous ways
with a new vision. Companies referenced include
global giants; Coca-Cola, BMW, the Swedish Ford
dealership to name but a few. A refreshingly
surprising fact offered by Senge is that the
leaders of these significant changes are not
always obvious or able to be identified. Most
often they are open-minded pragmatists who care
deeply about the future and are suspicious of
quick fixes.
Part III is titled 'Getting Started'
and is a practical "how to" for you
to use within your company or with your clients.
There are nine, team exercises, contained within
the practical section with added case study
example of how others have tackled each phase.
Senge concludes with a glimpse
into his view of the future of the corporation.
As an introduction to this he states,"
The emerging changes now taking shape around
the world are very small compared to what is
coming. The 80-20 challenge ensured this: The
infant global society we have birthed has entered
its first life or death crisis. No one knows
how an 80 percent reduction in global carbon
emissions can be achieved in two decades, but
it won't happen through minor adjustments in
business as usual."
Peter Senge is the author
or co-author of several best selling books,
including The Fifth Discipline, Schools that
Learn and presence. He is a senior lecturer
at MIT and the founding chair of the Society
for Organisational Learning (SoL).
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more reviews - February 2009
