the past, present & future of executive education...i spent 6 years as zen monk northumberland,...

The Past, Present & Future of

Executive Education

Toby Thompson

Directors’ Conference April 2013 @t3_unicon

Track 3 – ‘Education and Learning Approaches to the Future’ Session 2 The Past, Present and Future of Executive Education Philosophical Reflections in a Networked Learning World Toby Thompson Have you ever stopped to wonder what you’re doing educating executives? Can we think beyond a purely technology-based future for executive education? Where do you think executive education has come from, and where is it going? This session will do the following: • Encourage you to stop, and to think philosophically about what you do • Provide you with an opposing view of what the future of executive education could be, thereby enabling you to

reorient where you currently are • Jeopardise cherished notions of technology-based progress in executive education, to challenge you to think

and debate alternatives with your peers in the session • Celebrate, for however fleeting a moment, the fact that you are the source of inspiration for all those around

you looking for change in your organisation • Assess the extent to which you’re cut-out for philosophy, as an educator within the executive class, and to link

you with a philosophy buddy to continue the conversation

Track 3: EDUCATION & LEARNING APPROACHES TO THE FUTURE

SEARCH what on earth is the relevance to exec-ed?

Area of interest : philosophy of executive education

1 Toby 7 time 6 FUTURE 5 PRESENT 4 PAST 3 Philosophy 2 Networked

Learning The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education

Learning Resources

How do I know if this is the room I should be in?

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - How do I know if this is the room I should be in?

Picture of conference from the previous

day


day


day

My Argument Teaching is more difficult that learning, since it requires the teacher ‘to let learn’

Martin Heidegger, What is Called Thinking, 1951

Assumptions






Learning Resources


Picture of technology at conference from

the previous day


the previous day

My Argument

1. Whenever we think of the future, we often invoke technology, in some form.

2. This is a misguided, though powerful, thought and doesn’t get us out of the problem we’re facing: I will argue that it compounds the problem.

3. Our bigger problem is that we’re not THINKING and that current approaches to tech-based exec-ed aren’t helping

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - My Argument

THINKING

Assumptions








the previous day


the previous day


the previous day

My Argument

• Some fancy PowerPoint™ slides • An extended ‘web’ metaphor • Philosophy • All of you and your time

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - Learning Resources

Learning Resources

Assumptions






Assumptions



the previous day


the previous day


the previous day

My Argument

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - Learning Resources

• customised executive education • associated with a b-school • technology accompanying such programs

Learning Resources




2 7 6 5 4 3

PhD Candidate

time FUTURE PRESENT PAST Philosophy Networked

Learning

T O B Y

1

I spent 6 years as Zen monk

Northumberland, UK

Influences my thinking

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - Toby - Zen Buddhist Monk

Toby as a Zen Buddhist Monk

Cranfield School of Management

Zen

2013 UNICON Directors’ Conference - Track 3 Session 2 Programme




2 7 6 5 4 3

PhD Candidate

time FUTURE PRESENT PAST Philosophy Networked

Learning

T O B Y

1

I spent 6 years as Zen monk

Northumberland, UK

Influences my thinking

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - Toby - Zen Buddhist Monk



Zen




2 7 6 5 4 3 time FUTURE PRESENT PAST Philosophy Networked

Learning

T O B Y

1 The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - Toby - Cranfield School of Management

PhD Candidate



• 10 years at Cranfield’s Centre for Customised Executive Development • Networked Learning Director • Client-facing, involved in design & online delivery

of customised exec-ed programmes

Centre for Customised Executive Development




2 7 6 5 4 3 time FUTURE PRESENT PAST Philosophy Networked

Learning

T O B Y

1

The Management of Time: New Orders for Executive Education

University of London’s Institute of Education

Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - Toby - PhD Candidate

PhD Candidate



THESIS TITLE




1 7 6 5 4 3 time FUTURE PRESENT PAST Philosophy Toby N E T W O R K E D

learning 2 The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - Networked Learning

Networked Learning uses a range of contemporary technologies to link an organisation's learners to:

• Relevant academic expertise • Other learners and experts within their organisation • Customised learning resources

See Wikipedia entry and Cranfield’s CCED website for more information on networked learning

What is Networked Learning, and how does it relate to all the other sorts of learning we hear about, e.g. elearning, mobile learning, online learning, distance learning, etc.

Wikipedia entry




7 6 5 4 1 2 P H I L O S O P H Y

3 time FUTURE PRESENT PAST Toby

Networked

Learning

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - PHILOSOPHY - Areas of Philosophy Relevant to Executive Education

Conclusion

Ontology

Ethics

Epistemology

Areas of Philosophy Relevant to Exec-Ed

EXERCISE discussion in pairs

Is there a contrary form of thinking to Joe Nellis’s compelling macro-economic story?

From what position (e.g. fact-based, personal judgement) could we possibly question Joe’s macro-economic progress?

…And what has this got to do with us?




7 6 5 4 1 2 P H I L O S O P H Y


Networked

Learning


Conclusion

Ontology

Ethics

Epistemology



Is there a contrary form of thinking to Joe Nellis’s compelling macro-economic story?

From what position (e.g. fact-based, personal judgement) could we possibly question Joe’s macro-economic progress?

…And what has this got to do with us?

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Accept Decline

Do you accept this agreement to use philosophy in this session?

Disclaimer




7 6 5 4 1 2 P H I L O S O P H Y


Networked

Learning

It’s All In Our Heads Isn’t It?

Mind is not everything...

Real Politics & Justice

Not just office politics

The Logic we all Assume

Philosophy the heart of logic...

What is Ontology?

Ontology for Executives

Is knowledge everything?

Epistemology for Executives

Who cares about Metaphysics?

Metaphysics for Executives Conclusion

Ontology

Ethics

Epistemology




Ethics for Busy Execs

Be Good. End of.

Exec Religion: MONEY

All Hail Capitalism

Det

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Of course I’m ethical

I completely buy this

This is a bit obscure and doesn’t fit into the normal scheme of Exec-Ed DIFFICULT TO SELL TO A CLIENT No gift wrap available

Just not academically

Need convincing that this is appropriate for executive education?

How to cover the topic of Ethics in a Customised Executive Education programme Hardcover (tough but not impossible)

Seldom on the timetable

Product Description

Overview

• Less about what to do – more about WHY to do it

• Sometimes left to the CSR crew to cover

• Discussions of right and wrong doesn’t always fit well with our broader agenda in exec-ed

• Preaching doesn’t sell

RRP: £0.00

Price: £0.00 You save: never having to worry about it

How can this be a wish?

Share this – yeah, right

Det

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Worthy stuff I’m sure

I kind of buy this

This is a bit obscure and doesn’t fit into the normal scheme of Exec-Ed DIFFICULT TO SELL TO A CLIENT No gift wrap available

I’m not so sure


How to cover the topic of Ethics in a Customised Executive Education programme Hardcover (tough but not impossible)

We don’t seem too fussed about ethics

1 star: 2 star: 3 star: 4 star: 5 star:

(2) (1) (1) (1)

• Why is it we don’t have too many clients wanting to tackle corporate or managerial ethics?

• Is it because we don’t think it relevant or necessary or profitable?

Review

Seldom on the timetable

RRP: £0.00




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I’ve seen that first one

Seldom in stock This is a bit obscure and doesn’t fit into the normal scheme of Exec-Ed DIFFICULT TO SELL TO A CLIENT No gift wrap available


Exec-Ed professionals who bought into ‘ETHICS’ also bought into the following:

Rethinking Leadership

Prof. Donna Ladkin

Cranfield School of

Management

Corporate Social Responsibility

Prof. David Grayson


I understand these

Probably wouldn’t

RRP: £0.00

Price: £0.00 RRP: £0.00




Humanism in Business

Prof. Heiko Spitzeck

FDC Fundacao Dom Cabral,

Brazil




7 6 5 4 1 2 P H I L O S O P H Y


Networked

Learning







What is Ontology?






Ontology

Ethics

Epistemology





Be Good. End of.


All Hail Capitalism

Det

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How can you study this?

What the heck?

Never in stock This is a bit obscure and doesn’t fit into the normal scheme of Exec-Ed DIFFICULT TO SELL TO CLIENT No gift wrap available

People buy this!?


Hardcover

How to cover the topic of ONTOLOGY in a Customised (CCED) Executive Education programme

Review


• No reviews received

Review

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Why would I bother?

I think I buy this...

Seldom in stock This is a bit obscure and doesn’t fit into the normal scheme of Exec-Ed DIFFICULT TO SELL TO CLIENT No gift wrap available

You mean buying K itself?


Hardcover

Product Description

Review

• We talk a lot about KNOWLEDGE

• Often about ‘knowledge transfer’ where knowledge is a commodity that can be moved around

• Knowledge is usually the content of our programmes

• ‘What knowledge is’ is hardly ever tackled

• knowledge and thinking are not the same

How do you cover the topic of KNOWLEDGE in an Executive Education programme?



RRP: £0.00


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What the heck?


People buy this!?


Hardcover


Review



Review Det

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How can you buy this?

This is a bit obscure and doesn’t fit into the normal scheme of Exec-Ed DIFFICULT TO SELL TO CLIENT No gift wrap available

I’m not so sure


Hardcover (tough)

Review


(1) (1)

• Knowledge is part of every programme we run

• When we evaluate a programme, KNOWLEDGE is often one of the indices we use

• Concentrating on what knowledge IS, as an abstract concept, seems indulgent

• Yet we shouldn’t confuse knowledge with thinking

Review

How do you cover the topic of KNOWLEDGE in an Executive Education programme? Seldom in stock

Umm...



RRP: £0.00


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What the heck?


People buy this!?


Hardcover


Review



Review

Det

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Not sure what I’m buying

I understand these

Seldom in Stock This is a bit obscure and doesn’t fit into the normal scheme of Exec-Ed DIFFICULT TO SELL TO CLIENT No gift wrap available

I might buy them


Knowledge Leadership

Dr. C. Lakshman

Independent consultant, Pune,

India

Rethinking Leadership

Prof. Donna Ladkin

Cranfield School of

Management

Knowledge Management

Selection of KM articles in HBR

Professors from Harvard

Business School

Exec-Ed professionals who bought into ‘KNOWLEDGE’ also bought into the following:






7 6 5 4 1 2 P H I L O S O P H Y


Networked

Learning







What is Ontology?






Ontology

Ethics

Epistemology





Be Good. End of.


All Hail Capitalism

Det

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Make it stop

What the heck?

Never in stock This is a highly obscure and never fits into the normal scheme of Exec-Ed IMPOSSIBLE TO SELL TO CLIENT No gift wrap available

People buy this!?




Hardcover

Product Description

Review

• ‘The branch of METAPHYSICS dealing with the nature of BEING’ Oxford English Dictionary

• This is about what something is

• What is a business school?

• What is executive education?

How do you cover the topic of ONTOLOGY in an Executive Education programme?

RRP: £0.00

Price: £0.00 You save: never EVER having to worry about it

Det

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What the heck?

People buy this!?




Very Hardcover (phew!)

How do you cover the topic of ONTOLOGY in an Executive Education programme?

Review



Review

RRP: £0.00



Det

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What the heck?


People buy this!?


Hardcover


Det

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That iTunes U looks good


Exec-Ed professionals who bought into ‘ONTOLOGY’ also bought into the following:

Clinical Oncology

Dr Antony J Neal, Peter Hoskins

St Luke’s Cancer Centre &

University College London

I understand these

Probably wouldn’t



The Gruffalo

Julia Donaldson,

Axel Scheffler

Macmillan


Det

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Click the image to the left to register for this iTunes U course

Done 0.00 Eternity

?

Done 0.00 Eternity

?

2013 UNICON Directors’ Conference - Track 3 Session 2 Programme (Not Responding)

Done 0.00 Eternity

?

2013 UNICON Directors’ Conference - Track 3 Session 2 Programme (Not Responding)

A moment of philosophical reflection!

ERROR – Brain Not Responding

What has just happened?

• Consumerist tendency to acquire something

• Dealing in fiction and performance

• Isn’t this symptomatic of our not thinking?




7 6 5 4 1 2 P H I L O S O P H Y


Networked

Learning

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - PHILOSOPHY

EXERCISE – discuss in pairs either an: • Ontological issue • Epistemological issue • Ethical issue that you think is relevant to executive education

Conclusion

Ontology

Ethics

Epistemology






Hyperlink goes here

Some more text about that hyperlink goes here

Some text about that hyperlink goes here

Hyperlink goes here

Some text about that hyperlink goes here

7 6 5 4 1 2 P H I L O S O P H Y


Networked

Learning

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - PHILOSOPHY

The question of is (ONTOLOGY) as in: • What is executive education? • What is a business school

The question of knowledge (EPISTEMOLOGY) as in: • How

CLOSE




Phoenician Traders

7 6 5 1 3 2 P A S T

4 time FUTURE PRESENT Toby

Networked

Learning Philosophy

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - PAST - Phoenician Traders

Ancient Greek Slaves

Mediaeval Guilds

Renaissance Commerce

Industrial Revolution

Historia Magistra Vitae (Cicero 55 BCE)

“history is life’s teacher” But not, it seems, for executives and exec-ed. Exemplary practice only extends as far back as an out-of-date case study.




7 6 5 1 3 2 P A S T


Networked

Learning Philosophy

Phoenician Traders


Mediaeval Guilds



The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - PAST - Ancient Greek Slaves






7 6 5 1 3 2 P A S T


Networked

Learning Philosophy

Phoenician Traders


Mediaeval Guilds



The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - PAST - Mediaeval Guilds






7 6 5 1 3 2 P A S T


Networked

Learning Philosophy

Phoenician Traders


Mediaeval Guilds



The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - PAST - Renaissance Commerce






7 6 5 1 3 2 P A S T


Networked

Learning Philosophy

Phoenician Traders


Mediaeval Guilds



The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - PAST - Industrial Revolution






P R E S E N T

5 7 6 1 4 3 2 time FUTURE Toby Networked

Learning Philosophy PAST

Picture of audience stat in LR16

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - The Present

Are we facing our own ‘lost decade’ (Joe Nellis)? Are we in our own doldrums

Are we arrogant (Dave Coplin) about the present?

Or do we only have the present?

The Present as waiting room for the future




7 1 5 4 3 2 time Toby Networked

Learning Philosophy PRESENT PAST

6

F U T U R E

The future of thinking in executive education

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - The Future




1 6 5 4 3 2 Toby Networked

Learning Philosophy FUTURE PAST PRESENT

T I M E

7 The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - Time - Clock Time

Types of Time According to Heidegger

Clock Time – World Time – Primordial Time

clock time: how we measure the time we have

Primordial Time

Clock Time

World Time






T I M E

7


world time: how time flies when we’re engrossed in something


Primordial Time

Clock Time

World Time

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - Time - World Time






T I M E

7


primordial time: the basis of clock time and world time


Primordial Time

Clock Time

World Time

The Past, Present, and Future of Executive Education - Time - Primordial Time

the past, present & future of executive education...i spent 6 years as zen monk northumberland,...

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