From Husserl’s phenomenological tradition to the hermeneutic, ontological phenomenology of Heidegger, language and the sharing of knowledge in a communicative way, emphasizes in my opinion the importance of linguistics (Crystal, 1987). Linguistic phenomenology is the name sometimes used for the detailed and careful analysis of ordinary language undertaken by linguistic philosophy. It would be strange if the constant drive toward greater formalization had remained untouched by developments in mathematics and in logic. Statistical methods were tentatively applied to problems of linguistic change, but the demand for content analysis or translation by machine has had very little direct effect on the theory of natural languages, although it has led indirectly to the asking of novel questions on the subject (Spargo, 1931).

In my opinion, linguistics is a self-conscious field. Throughout its existence, it has not only developed working theories about its subject, language; it has also theorized about itself. Self-description, of which there is a good deal in the way of forewords, popularizations, and polemics, need to be taken with a grain of salt.

I am a strong believer in assuming responsibility for one’s own learning process, and am convinced that the potential for learning and acquiring knowledge can increase throughout one’s life if stimulated accordingly. Working in roles of leadership, I have also come to appreciate Rost’s (1991) statement that the current understanding of leadership is rooted in an industrial paradigm, and that change is needed if we want to move toward a concept of leadership that will be useful for the future. He stripped away the muddying perceptions of leader traits, group dynamics, and value-laden dialogue to define leadership simply as “Leadership is an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes that reflect their mutual purposes.”

As I review the literature and current trends in published works, it appears to me that society has moved toward a postindustrial paradigm, where collaboration, interaction, and mutual purpose, rather than dictated goals given to groups based on hierarchical authority, are emphasized. I continue to wrestle with an understanding of the old masters’ teachings, and the new discoveries being made in the field of science.