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Organizational Learning Communities
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Organizational Learning Communities

Empowering Social Learning and Collaboration to Improve Performance

Andy Lancaster
Kogan Page, 2024
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In this practical guide, Chief Learning Officer Andy Lancaster outlines the essential elements of organizational learning communities that support effective, collaborative learning. Drawing on real-world examples and research, Lancaster offers strategies to help organizations harness the power of shared knowledge and peer-driven development. Lancaster’s focus on practical application and aligning learning with business goals will help L&D professionals drive lasting results across their organizations.

Summary

Fostering organizational learning communities fuels better business practices, innovation, and progress.

Communities are powerful engines of progress because they pool knowledge, perspectives, and abilities. When diverse people collaborate, their differing cultural backgrounds, life experiences, and ways of thinking help the group make better decisions, solve more complex problems, and generate more innovative ideas. Groups help motivate people to pursue shared goals and generate greater productivity by fostering accountability. They provide emotional support and a sense of belonging that boosts individual resilience.

Learning communities benefit businesses in several ways:

  1. “Sharing knowledge” — Gathering, organizing, and distributing knowledge across the organization via shared online spaces like wikis and forums improves efficiency, reduces redundant effort, and boosts accessibility to valuable expertise.
  2. “Spearheading practice” — Support professionals at different stages of experience within collaborative environments to drive continuous improvement, raise standards, and foster leadership and innovation across...

About the Author

Andy Lancaster is chief learning officer at Reimagine People Development consultancy.

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