Training & Development For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 14

Building a Learning Culture

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding why a learning culture is important

Creating a learning culture

Uncovering reasons for resisting a learning culture

Sustaining a learning culture

Peter Senge hit a nerve deep within the business and education community by introducing the theory of learning organizations when he published The Fifth Discipline in 1990. Now, almost 35 years and one pandemic later, people understand why. Organizations that have a healthy learning culture weathered the pandemic with more agility, resilience, and success than those that didn’t.

During the pandemic, employees continued to learn. Innovation kicked into high gear. Most organizations that boasted a learning culture rocketed ahead of their competition.

There are many ways to build a learning organization, and they all require management to lead. If you build a culture that gives people time to reflect, create new ideas, develop and share expertise, stay close to customers, and learn from their mistakes, you will outdistance your competition and thrive.

Seven of the most dangerous ...