Let’s start with the second part, because that’s what’s really important…
Why do You Care?
Learning organization methodology looks at interactions and connections that surround issues, not just individual issues. This allows your business to expand it’s scope & produce results faster. That means less time & less money spent to produce better results. Great.
Learning organizations inherently have awareness of the dynamics of change & the ability of people & organizations to transform. This gives a competitive advantage. The company that learns as it goes can handle change because it sees it coming & is prepared for it. That’s good for investors; its easier on management & great for the bottom line.
So, What is a Learning Organization?
A learning organization is not a college or university, as its name suggests. It is not a group of people studying the best techniques or the proper way to educate. Instead it is, well, jargon. It is a business management term given to a company that continually transforms through facilitating knowledge & awareness in its personnel.
The company does this to maintain fluidity, to address the fact that the frameworks of industry, markets & methods change. Companies are involved in continually expanding global & cultural parameters & increasing competition. Encouraging evolution of this framework allows for more efficient adaptation.
Doesn’t that sound good? A group of people growing, increasing their value which is increasing the company’s value, which is in turn growing. It’s a beautiful thing, in theory and in practice. And, theoretically, it contains 5 features.
5 Key Components:
1. Systems Thinking: Seeing how things interrelate and interconnect and are part of a common process.
2. Personal Mastery: Education for each individual to help them to develop.
3. Mental Models: Assumptions that must be challenged because they shape and limit our thinking.
4. Shared Vision: Common goals and desired end-state that motivate teams and groups to learn and act in concert.
5. Team Learning: Learning how to learn and develop potential collectively.
Peter Senge developed it. [See The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook by Senge, Kleiner, et al] The business management world adored it. And you should know about it!
Why do You Care?
Learning organization methodology looks at interactions and connections that surround issues, not just individual issues. This allows your business to expand it’s scope & produce results faster. That means less time & less money spent to produce better results. Great.
Learning organizations inherently have awareness of the dynamics of change & the ability of people & organizations to transform. This gives a competitive advantage. The company that learns as it goes can handle change because it sees it coming & is prepared for it. That’s good for investors; its easier on management & great for the bottom line.
So, What is a Learning Organization?
A learning organization is not a college or university, as its name suggests. It is not a group of people studying the best techniques or the proper way to educate. Instead it is, well, jargon. It is a business management term given to a company that continually transforms through facilitating knowledge & awareness in its personnel.
The company does this to maintain fluidity, to address the fact that the frameworks of industry, markets & methods change. Companies are involved in continually expanding global & cultural parameters & increasing competition. Encouraging evolution of this framework allows for more efficient adaptation.
5 Key Components:
1. Systems Thinking: Seeing how things interrelate and interconnect and are part of a common process.
2. Personal Mastery: Education for each individual to help them to develop.
3. Mental Models: Assumptions that must be challenged because they shape and limit our thinking.
4. Shared Vision: Common goals and desired end-state that motivate teams and groups to learn and act in concert.
5. Team Learning: Learning how to learn and develop potential collectively.
Peter Senge developed it. [See The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook by Senge, Kleiner, et al] The business management world adored it. And you should know about it!
