A learning organization can be viewed as a group of people working together to enhance their capacities to create the results they value. Organizational leadership, however, must usually take the initiative to create the conditions whereby such enhancement of capacities, or learning, takes place. A wide variety of leadership initiatives can create and enhance a learning organization. Understanding them will help you grasp the concept of what a leader might do to enhance organizational learning.

A major building block of a learning organization is a supportive learning environment. Employees should not fear being belittled or marginalized when they disagree with their manager or coworkers or ask naive questions. Instead, they should feel comfortable about expressing disagreement or puzzlement. Supportive learning also includes being open to new ideas and having the time to think and reflect.

The learning organization is also enhanced by concrete learning processes and practices, and by leadership that reinforces learning. A top-level leader should create a strategic intent to learn. Organizational learning then becomes a vehicle for gaining competitive advantage. Creating a shared vision enhances learning, as organization members develop a common purpose and commitment to having the organization keep learning.