The Interplay of Thinking and Doing
Thinking is
valuable, but it’s often the act of doing that opens new perspectives and
drives real competence and effectiveness. Imagine a marathon runner who spends
their time reflecting and planning meticulously for future races. What kind of
performance goals would they dare to set for the summer’s competition?
Conversely, a runner who trains endlessly without reflection or planning might
also struggle to achieve success.
In various
fields, we encounter the tension between thinking and doing—sometimes in
harmonious interaction, sometimes in imbalance. Both are essential: thinking
about doing and turning thoughts into action. Could one overarching goal,
at both societal and organizational levels, be to create structures where the
connection between thought and action is as close as possible, both temporally
and mentally?
For
example, consider educational systems where years of theoretical study precede
practical application. Could there also be scenarios where people operate in
action-oriented roles for years without engaging deeply with reflective
thinking, potentially limiting innovation? In an ever-changing world, living
exclusively in the realms of either thinking or doing cannot lead to success.
Growth requires a continuous interaction between thought and action.
Each of us has our own definitions of what constitutes thinking and doing, as well as what is essential in each realm. From on person's perspective, another might seem lost in abstract thought, while the latter believes they're actively engaging in the real world. The nuances of these interpretations are left to each individual to explore and develop within their environment.
Actors at the Intersection of Thinking and doing
A bold new Initiative
“We don’t see the world as it is, but as we are.”
This raises the issue of limitations. Do we accept certain constraints as given, failing to notice that the scope of possibilities is broader than we imagine? For instance, advancements in technology can enable entirely new ways of thinking and acting. What once seemed impossible may now be feasible. This question lies at the core of strategic thinking—particularly when dealing with AI and other emerging technologies.
Webinar on March, 2025
In 2025,
our goal is to take a new step in sharing and networking EMBA alumni wisdom. We
aim to embrace the possibilities enabled by modern technology and engage
active, open-minded professionals.
On March 27, 2025, we will host the world’s
first “Wisdom of EMBA Alumni” webinar. The theme will be New Strategic
Arenas. This event would not be possible without our EMBA alumni, who have
graciously agreed to share their insights. A
heartfelt thank you to: Marjaana Kivioja, Jouni Flyktman, and Markku Hirvijärvi.
Webinar Concept in a Nutshell
The idea for the webinar originated within the JYU EMBA program. We have reached out to, and continue to contact, business schools and other institutions worldwide to attract participants from across the globe.
The webinar
will feature three keynote presentations by our EMBA alumni, showcasing
remarkable perspectives on the interplay of thinking and doing within various
organizations.
Welcome to the Webinar
Ari Manninen, Director
University of Jyväskylä,
Executive Education
ari.manninen(at)jyu.fi
(Original
text of this blog was written in Finnish by Ari Manninen and published 24th
January titled “EMBA-alumni viisaus - uusi globaali webinaari. That blog was translated
in English by ChatGPT and checked by Ari Manninen 20.3.2025).