A major challenge today in the global environment is learning and knowledge. Let’s discuss the need for individual learning, followed by group and organizational learning, and the learning organization. Probably the most important skill that college provides is the ability to continuously learn.

Do not view your education as being over when you get your degree. Graduation commencement actually means the beginning, not the end. Much of what you will do on the job in the future will be learned at work. Never stop learning. Admitting you don’t know something and asking questions is not a sign of weakness. Successful people are lifelong students. Everyone you meet in your personal and professional lives knows more about something than you do, so get them to pass that knowledge on to you.

As we work with individuals and in groups on the job, we are both teaching and learning as we share knowledge. Combined we get organizational learning, and companies that intentionally focus on sharing knowledge are called learning organizations. Learning organizations cultivate the capacity to learn, adapt, and change with the environment to be innovative with speed. The learning organization focuses on improving learning and determining how knowledge is circulated throughout the organization.

Learning from mistakes and failure to continuously improve performance is critical. The learning organization questions old beliefs and ways of doing things, yet it makes the learning and change process as painless as possible.