Expanding the knowledge paradigm

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the changing patterns of learning, thinking and acting to help identify and describe the need for new frames of reference in a complex world.

Looking at our changing environment, the question is asked: are these changes superficial or transformative? This questions leads to exploring the frame of reference from which we view reality, and then the sequence from our frame of reference to learning to thinking to action.

The author offers that as our world speeds up and becomes more complex, with less time for learning and thinking and more information than anyone can process, we need to move from the mechanical perspective to a new organic frame of reference and reconsider how we learn, think and act. Each of these areas is then expanded upon, with the end result of asking even more questions.

This paper will help leaders and researchers recognize the need to – and importance of – reframing their perspective to better match the complexities of the problems and opportunities they face.