The Learning Organization

LIS 880Knowledge Management

What is a Learning Organization?

• Definitions vary from organization to organization

• Think of the qualities of learning environments such as schools– Measurement– Trial & Error– Mentorship (teacher)

Have You Ever Worked in an Organization Where:

• You could experiment• It was ok to make (and admit) a mistake• Furthering your education / development was

not just encouraged, but expected• Leadership had open door policies• Leadership openly sought critiques of the

organization• Had a job you enjoyed going to

Daniel Pink - Drive

• Three Principles– Autonomy: Power to choose your

direction– Mastery: Support for Professional

Development – Purpose: Having a sense of

meaning to your job and feeling valued

Google as an Example

• Employees’ ideas are considered as important as executives’ ideas

• 20% Project• New Parent Benefits– $500 Take out benefit first 6 weeks at home– 18 weeks paid leave for mothers– 7 weeks paid leave for fathers

• Free gourmet, healthy meals on site• TGIF sessions with leaders where any question can be

asked

Other Qualities

• Active efforts to identify and solve organizational problems

• Failure is Rewarded / Encouraged– Encourages new approaches– Encourages experimentation

• Lessons Learned– Sharing failures / successes

• Looking beyond your organization• Pathways to transfer knowledge

Other Qualities Cont.

• Time– Experiment– Education / Professional Development

• Create a Desire for Change & Improvement• Collaborative Efforts– Does not necessarily equate to more meetings!

• Make “Work” a place employees want to come to

Are There Other Qualities

• Systems Thinking• Process Improvement• Networks, relationships, team-centric

approaches• Self-Organizing (trust in mid-level

management and employees)• What Else?

Questions / Comments