The Core Disciplines Kenneth M. York School of Business Administration Oakland University

ORG331: Introduction to HRM2 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 Senge Systems Thinking

ORG331: Introduction to HRM3 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 HRM4 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 HRM5 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 HRM6 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 HRM7 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 HRM8 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 HRM9 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 HRM10 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 HRM11 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 HRM12 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 HRM13 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