Learning Organisation

Learning Organisations
 The concept of the learning
organization is that the successful
organization must — and does —
continually adapt and learn in order to
respond to changes in environment and to
grow. The idea of a learning organization
suggests that there is some learning in
organizations that takes place over and
above the learning undertaken by
different individuals as part of their work
and experience in organizations.
Learning Organisations
 Learning organizations are
characterized by total employee
involvement in a process of
collaboratively conducted,
collectively accountable change
directed towards shared values or
principles.
Learning Organisations
 "The essence of organisational learning is
the organization's ability to use the
amazing mental capacity of all its
members to create the kind of processes
that will improve its own"
 A Learning Company is an organisation
that facilitates the learning of all its
members and continually transforms
itself"
Learning Organisations
 "Organizations where people
continually expand their capacity to
create the results they truly desire,
where new and expansive patterns
of thinking are nurtured, where
collective aspiration is set free, and
where people are continually
learning to learn together"
Learning Organisations
 Learning organizations are those that
have in place systems, mechanisms
and processes, that are used to
continually enhance their capabilities
and those who work with it or for it,
to achieve sustainable objectives - for
themselves and the communities in
which they participate.
Learning Organisations
 Are adaptive to their external
environment
 Continually enhance their capability
to change/adapt
 Develop collective as well as
individual learning
 Use the results of learning to
achieve better results
Learning Organisations
 Cope with rapid and unexpected changes
where existing 'programmed' responses
are inadequate
 Provide flexibility to cope with dynamically
changing situations
 Allow front-line staff to respond with
initiative based on customer needs vs.
being constrained by business processes
established for different circumstances
Learning Organisation
 Top companies seem to organise
around people ..honouring these
needs - feeling of control,
something to believe in, challenge,
lifelong learning, recognition"
Learning Organisation
 a learning organisation involves the development of
higher levels of knowledge and skill.
 Level 1.- Learning facts, knowledge, processes
and procedures. Applies to known situations where
changes are minor.
 Level 2.- Learning new job skills that are
transferable to other situations. Applies to new
situations where existing responses need to be
changed. Bringing in outside expertise is a useful tool
here.
 Level 3 - Learning to adapt. Applies to more
dynamic situations where the solutions need
developing. Experimentation, and deriving lessons from
success and failure is the mode of learning here.
 Level 4 - Learning to learn. Is about innovation and
creativity; designing the future rather than merely
adapting to it. This is where assumptions are
challenged and knowledge is reframed.
 Characteristics of Learning
Organisation
 Learning Culture - an organizational climate
that nurtures learning. There is a strong similarity
with those characteristics associated with
innovation.
 Processes - processes that encourage interaction
across boundaries. These are infrastructure,
development and management processes, as
opposed to business operational processes (the
typical focus of many BPR initiatives).
 Tools and Techniques - methods that aid
individual and group learning, such as creativity
and problem solving techniques.
 Skills and Motivation - to learn and adapt.
Learning Culture
 Future, external orientation
 Free exchange and flow of
information
 Commitment to learning,
personal development
 Valuing people
 Climate of openness and trust
 Learning from experience
Processes
 Strategic and Scenario Planning
 Competitor Analysis
 Information and
Knowledge Management
 Capability Planning
 Team and Organisation development
 Performance Measurement
 Reward and Recognition Systems
Tools,Techniques & Skills
 Inquiry - interviewing, seeking
information
 Creativity - brainstorming, associating
ideas
 Making sense of situations - organising
information and thoughts
 Making choices - deciding courses of
action
 Observing outcomes - recording,
observation
 Reframing knowledge - embedding new
knowledge into mental models,
memorizing
Tools,Techniques & Skills
 Communication, especially across
organisational boundaries
 Listening and observing
 Mentoring and supporting colleagues
 Taking a holistic perspective - seeing
the team and organisation as a whole
 Coping with challenge and uncertainty
Learning Organisations
 Provide continuous learning opportunities.
 Use learning to reach their goals.
 Link individual performance with
organizational performance.
 Foster inquiry and dialogue, making it
safe for people to share openly and take
risks.
 Embrace creative tension as a source of
energy and renewal.
 Are continuously aware of and interact
with their environment.
Learning Organisations
 The Learning Company is a vision of
what might be possible. It is not
brought about simply by training
individuals; it can only happen as a
result of learning at the whole
organization level. A Learning
Company is an organization that
facilitates the learning of all its
members and continuously
transforms itself.
Creating Learning Organisations

 Start at the top

 Start with a chronic problem
 Initiate a Task Force
 Start with an Organizational
Diagnosis
 Link to an existing process or
initiative
 Review existing systems and
processes
 New Product Development
Characteristics of Learning
Organisation

 Presence of Tension
Gap between vision & Reality
Questioning /Inquiry

Challenging status quo

Critical reflection

Systems Thinking
 Shared Vision
 Holistic Thinking

 Openness
Characteristics of Learning
Organisation

 Culture Facilitating Learning

 Suggestions

 Teamwork

 Empowerment

 Empathy