Creating Desired Futures in a Global Society

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Reflections
The SoL Journal

on Knowledge, Learning, and Change
FEATURE ARTICLE

Creating Desired Futures in a Global Society
Peter M. Senge

Published by The Society for Organizational Learning

ISSN 1524-1734

4reflections.solonline.org

FEATURE

Creating Desired Futures in a Global Economy
By Peter M. Senge

change, sustainability, the future of education, and

and societies face is the question: How can we cre-

leadership development. In June 2003, 335

ate desired results in an increasingly interdepen-

researchers, consultants and executives from busi-

dent world? That question has been the focus of

ness, government, and civil society gathered at

Peter Senge’s work for more than 20 years. It also

SoL’s first Global Forum, in Helsinki, Finland. This

is at the heart of the Society for Organizational

article was adapted from Peter’s remarks at that

Learning’s research in innovation, large-systems

forum. — Paul M. Cohen, Senior Editor

T

Peter M. Senge

Senior Lecturer,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Founding Chair, SoL

here’s nothing more elemental to the work of leaders than creating results. But it’s no longer possible to create positive results in isolation. With organizations, economies, and entire societies increasingly interconnected, our actions affect (and are affected by) others, often literally a world away. It’s impossible, in today’s world, to think about how to have an impact in our workplace without also asking ourselves a deeper question: What does it means to live in a global society?
This question was brought home to me by Mieko Nishimizu, one of the most gifted executives at the World Bank. Shortly after attending the SoL Executive Champions’
Workshop in August 2002, she addressed business and political leaders observing the 50th anniversary of Japan’s membership in the post-World War II Bretton Woods Agreements.
Speaking with candor