56 ◾ Accelerating Health Care Transformation
continually learning how to learn together.” Pedler, Burgoyne, and Boydell sharpen
the point when they describe the learning organization as one that “facilitates the
learning of all its members and continuously transforms itself” (italics added for
emphasis). Numerous studies demonstrate the link between indicators of a learning
organization and high performance. In further fleshing out the practices of a learn-
ing organization, Senge and others describe, among other things, the importance
of striving to better oneself (personal mastery), challenging mental models, sharing
a vision or goal, and learning together as a team. Virginia Mason’s lean and innova-
tion capabilities development efforts leave ...