The Learning Organization

The learning organization is one in which all employees are continuously improving their personal work habits in order to delight their customers. A key goal of learning is to develop positive behaviors that benefit both individuals and organizations alike.
Our belief is that proper habits are developed from obtaining knowledge, skills and attitude. Knowledge is the understanding of what, how and why we need to do something. Skill is how we apply the knowledge in a practical situation. Attitude is the desire or motivation to transform knowledge into skills and ultimately into a habit.
Your organization may provide customer-driven training and reinforce its application, but employees may lack the attitude to develop certain skills into habits. Unfortunately, attitude cannot be taught. In fact, Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl defines attitude as “our response to what we have experienced.”
Your organization must act as the catalyst that motivates employees. But it is an individual’s prerogative whether or not to choose a proactive attitude and behaviors that will ultimately produce a successful learning organization.

You Can Become a Learning Organization!
Create the vision, mission, and values of the organization that are clearly understood by all employees and that promote continuous learning.
Determine what training is needed for solving customer problems and discovering their wishes. Create an individual developmental plan for each employee with specific learning objectives.
Reinforce the learning organization through:
Regular one-on-one coaching sessions
Monthly skills-refresher sessions
Quarterly learning retreats
Individual self-study programs
Aristotle said, "We are what we reportedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Creating a learning organization may be the key to gaining a competitive advantage in the years to come!

Note: We will be out of the country for the next three weeks. Blog posting will resume December 1. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!