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A life changing experience at the University of Bath; MSc in Responsibility and Business Practice
I made one of the best decisions in my life when I enrolled in the MSc in Responsibility and Business Practice at the University of Bath. It was an enlightening 2 year programme with eight workshops covering areas ranging from economics, world trade, sustainable development, ecology and the environment, to self and the future of the world, much reading, discussions and consultation in between. Action research and inquiry based on how we learn, work, reflect, change and live was the basis for the programme. It was a way of consciously learning through mindfulness.
We also had many interesting people coming by to tell us stories, introduce new theories, get us to dance, do tai chi, meditate, and to learn from us too. We had much time for personal reflection, reflective writing and inquiry. So, there was a wonderful balance between learning, reflecting, applying to my own life and growing.
There were revelations. The programme brought to focus many global issues that I thought normal or had no power to address. It helped me to explore new possibilities, through personal action and collaboration, and gave me a sense that I could influence a better future, but I had to change first – a difficult challenge to begin with.
This innovative programme, which was initiated in 1996 deals with the real world issues. It addresses the challenges of integrating successful business practice with a concern for environmental, social and ethical issues. It is pioneering in both content and educational approach, being question-posing, critical, and values-aware, integrating strong elements of experiential learning and action research.
Action research is about having an inquiring approach to life, to act mindfully, assess the effects of our action in the outside world and make choices in the way we act. In the inquiry process we went through a cycle of action and reflection to become more mindful and aware of the gap between what we say and what we do. This is essentially a way of knowing. This practice also widens our awareness about our intent, strategies, what we actually do and its impact on the world around us.
So, it put me on the spot to put a mirror on myself and ask some difficult questions like;
• Do I practice what I preach ?.
The MSc has helped me tremendously in my work as a trainer, organizational and a rural energy consultant and most importantly in my personal life as a parent, spouse and friend.
I recommend it highly for anyone looking for a life changing experience. If you are interested to learn more contact Christine Bone at
Website: www.bath.ac.uk/management/carpp
Lalith Gunaratne Sage Training (Pvt) Ltd / LGA Consultants (Pvt) Ltd lalithguna@dialogsl.net www.sagetraining.org
10th December 2007
Thank you for the question Crick. Many corporations sponsor their employees for the Bath University-MSc. This way, they would take the learning back to effect some change in the way they do business. At the same time, it is difficult for one or two people to change the way business has been done for many years. Some of these people do get frustrated as they find their new learning not aligned with the way the corporations continue to work. Some stay and fight and some leave to do more meaningful work.
In my work as a corporate trainer based in Sri Lanka (Sage Training), much of the work involves working with leadership of businesses to look at first changing the way they work with their own people first and then look at how they deal with the outside world. We focus on areas such as emotional intelligence and spirituality as a base to govern the business in a more ethical manner. We help busineses to come up with a set of values that enables them to create a set of boundaries, which in turn will shape their behaviors.
This is certainly a long-term process as change is so difficult to make. When we have longer term involvment with companies, especially with the support of the leaders of the business, it is easier to make the transition. It takes courage to put oneself on the hot-seat as a leader, as they have to live by example to inspire others to change.
We have business leaders like that, who are humble, yet tough - who see the power of this balance. Businesses like this are proven to last longer not only through the profits they make, but also contribute to society and the environment as well.
Many companies in the corporate world, globally now engage in this kind of soul searching, but it has to begin at the top. "Fish smells from the head" goes the Virenamese saying.
Lalith Gunaratne Colombo Sri Lanka
13th January 2008
posted by Lalith Gunaratne on 1/27/2008 12:07 pm