The Necessary Revolution

I have always been a follower of Peter Senge’s books since I learned about the concepts and possibilities of “learning organization” and “systems thinking”. These philosophies, from my own perspectives - are important disciplines and building blocks of corporate sustainability and innovations. It creates an environment of creativity and relentless human development in the business community. It is the primary principle of a revolutionary management philosophy. In his book The Fifth Discipline he proposes that a systems thinking method would help a corporation to become a learning organization. He suggested an integrated corporate framework, which is structured around "personal mastery," "mental models," "shared vision," and "team learning. He describes requisite disciplines, of which systems-thinking is the fifth.

In his new book “The Necessary Revolution: How Individuals and organizations are working together to create a Sustainable World”, he and his colleagues again proposes a timely hypothesis that introduces ways and shows experiences of organizations in contributing to the contemporary issues of global warming, climate change, and unbalance consumption of world resources. It complements his early opinions on sustainability and proposes some thesis on how we can contribute in our own ways to help a better world. These are concepts that are inter-related with the the triple-bottom line theories of economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability. It is an indispensable reference and guide to corporations and concern individuals that wants to make a difference while towards the community and at the same time achieving its business goals and profit objectives.

Product Description of the book, “The Necessary Revolution” From Amazon.com

Imagine a world in which the excess energy from one business would be used to heat another. Where buildings need less and less energy around the world, and where “regenerative” commercial buildings – ones that create more energy than they use – are being designed. A world in which environmentally sound products and processes would be more cost-effective than wasteful ones. A world in which corporations such as Costco, Nike, BP, and countless others are forming partnerships with environmental and social justice organizations to ensure better stewardship of the earth and better livelihoods in the developing world. Now, stop imagining – that world is already emerging.

A revolution is underway in today’s organizations. As Peter Senge and his co-authors reveal in The Necessary Revolution, companies around the world are boldly leading the change from dead-end “business as usual” tactics to transformative strategies that are essential for creating a flourishing, sustainable world. There is a long way to go, but the era of denial has ended. Today’s most innovative leaders are recognizing that for the sake of our companies and our world, we must implement revolutionary—not just incremental—changes in the way we live and work.

Brimming with inspiring stories from individuals and organizations tackling social and environmental problems around the globe, The Necessary Revolution reveals how ordinary people at every level are transforming their businesses and communities. By working collaboratively across boundaries, they are exploring and putting into place unprecedented solutions that move beyond just being “less bad” to creating pathways that will enable us to flourish in an increasingly interdependent world. Among the stories in these pages are the evolution of Sweden’s “Green Zone,” Alcoa’s water use reduction goals, GE’s eco-imagination initiative, and Seventh Generation’s decision to shift some of their advertising to youth-led social change programs.

At its heart, The Necessary Revolution contains a wealth of strategies that individuals and organizations can use — specific tools and ways of thinking — to help us build the confidence and competence to respond effectively to the greatest challenge of our time. It is an essential guidebook for all of us who recognize the need to act and work together —now — to create a sustainable world, both for ourselves and for the generations to follow.