As an OD consultant, I often experience organizations whose leadership
(and associated organizational norms) have difficulty breaking free from
their "people as expendable machines" mentality, let alone consider the
possibility of fostering a Learning Organization (which is about as close
to the other end of the "people as machines" mentality as anything can
get). It is often quite a stretch for some organizations to embrace the
longer-term goals of most OD activities, yet the concept of an LO seems an
even larger task.
How, then does the LO wheel begin turning, if not of its own volition
within the organization? It seems to me as if OD interventions related to
communication, fostering individual creativity and success, teamwork,
continuous improvement, etc. would be the first steps (albeit baby), but
how does one relate and encourage the concept of the LO without further
overwhelming the client? I'm speaking of a specific action or actions
that can break through...or is it more realistic to think that if you have
to "break through" that the organization is simply not ready for such a
shift?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Nancy Polend
nanjr@erols.com
--Nancy Polend <nanjr@erols.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>