Organizations cannot exist without individuals and individuals seem to
need organizations to work cooperatively; so trying to show how one can
learn without the other seems contradictory to me.
Interdependence is one of Stephen R. Covey's pet peeves; we are trained
in independence but require interdependence to function well as an
organization. Yet, we talk about the organization learning independent of
people learning. Organizational rules and policies form due to a need for
some structure and consistency to guide individuals, but only individuals
can influence this structure. In a changing world (is there such a thing
as a non-changing one ?) written policies and procedures cannot be changed
and distributed and learned by filtering up through a hierarchy and back
down again fast enough.
Computerized collaboration tools can be a big help, but the basic rules
(mission?) must still be there to guide us in the direction we wish to go;
individual actions must be guided by this guidance system. Rules and
policies are a form of micro-management deemed necessary by a system that
does not involve individuals in it's formation and ongoing evolution.
Such a system can guide individuals, but each person still must make a
decision on actions based on the situation at hand. Covey is correct in
his statement that unless trust is developed and made part of an
organization's fabric, not much progress will ever be made in the area of
quality initiatives. Rules and policies imply distrust; the incentives
to do the right thing for the organization and involved stakeholders must
be there - unless some higher calling like religion can get us to do the
right thing.
In any case, some knowledge database or system of codifying organizational
knowledge and interaction could help with behavior, but without the rudder
of belief in what is right, people will be too tempted to merely do the
right thing (for them or their part of the organization, ignoring the
effect on other parts).
Tom Clifford
--"Tom J. Clifford" <CLIFFOTJ@state.mi.us>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>