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Creating a Team Culture of Continuous Learning

Alan Barstow, Ph.D., Dana Kaminstein, Ph.D., Amrita V. Subramanian, and Ramya Kumar, MSOD, SHRM-SCP, Prosci Certified

There is mounting concern that organizational groups and teams often fail to learn from their past experiences. It’s pertinent to address this issue as groups and teams are often the main ways that work gets done in organizations.

In this course, we examine the main reasons that groups and teams are often ineffective, which include:

• The lack of organizational structures and support for teams and groups

• The lack of understanding and emphasis on learning

• Misaligned reward structures

So, what can be done to create an enabling learning culture in teams?

This course emphasizes practical and impactful ways to begin to address this state of affairs. Through the use of stories, scenarios with actors simulating different team issues, examples and dialogue, you learn how to:

• Understand teams in their larger organizational context

• Diagnose the learning strengths and barriers to learning on teams

• Identify ways to develop a team and group that continually learns and impacts the larger organization positively

• Create an organizational environment that encourages learning and innovation

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What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to Framing & Systems Thinking

Thank you for joining us. In this module you will learn to step back and re-frame your point of view, and apply systems thinking in everyday situations in order to help your team to be creative and innovative. Our goal is to enable you to learn through real-life stories, practical scenarios illustrated by actors, on-going conversations, suggested readings and links rather than lectures and instructions. So, come join us at the table, bring your own experiences with you, and be part of the conversation! Check out this NY Times story before you begin: (https://www.nytimes.com/video/business/100000004807604/the-power-of-outsiders.html?smid=fb-share) This story illustrates many of the important points of this course: the importance of thinking about the whole system, the value of including different, outside perspectives (not just experts), and - even when you and your team come up with a breakthrough idea - accepting that it is a difficult challenge to spread the idea and make change happen.

Week 2 : Diagnosing Strengths & Barriers to Learning on Teams

Thank you for joining us in this module! You will learn to recognize the strengths and barriers - visible and invisible - that exist in teams. Quite like the George Washington Bridge story in Week 1, where you learned about Framing and Systems Thinking, here you will learn to define, frame and diagnose the problems and conflicts that can arise in teams; and you will learn to think about data gathering and creating solutions that work! Join us at the table.

Week 3 : Developing Groups & Teams for Positive Organizational Impact

Thank you for joining us In Modules 1 & 2. In the previous modules you have learned about Framing, Reframing, Systems Thinking, and Taking a Diagnostic Focus on Groups and Teams. In this module you will learn about disabling and enabling group and team structures. You will also learn about diffusing innovations, and how to have productive conversations using the Ladder of Inference as a guide.

Week 4 : Fostering Innovation in Groups & Teams

Thank you for staying with and being a part of our emergent conversations. If you have accompanied us through weeks 1,2 and 3, we are now at the closing end of our on-going discussion around learning in teams - in this section, we'll focus on Complex Adaptive Systems and structures that foster and accelerate engagement, learning and team conversations. Come join us.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the barriers to learning in groups and teams, which is standard in industry

Investigates ways to enhance organizational culture for learning and innovation

Provides a comprehensive study of group and team learning for positive organizational impact

Diagnose learning challenges faced by groups and teams in the workplace

Taught by experts in their field: Alan Barstow, Ph.D., Dana Kaminstein, Ph.D., Amrita V. Subramanian, and Ramya Kumar, MSOD, SHRM-SCP, Prosci Certified

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Reviews summary

Team-focused learning

According to students, this course is excellent. Learners say the course is well-designed and the instructor is accessible.

The instructor is friendly and gives clear explanations.

"The instructor is very friendly and helpful."

The course is very well-designed.

"This is a really great course and the curriculum is very well-designed."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Creating a Team Culture of Continuous Learning with these activities:

Review foundational concepts in organizational behavior

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Strengthen your understanding of fundamental principles underlying team behavior and dynamics.

Browse courses on Organizational Behavior

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Access textbooks, online resources, or attend workshops to review key concepts.
Focus on topics such as motivation, communication, conflict resolution, and leadership styles.

Identify a mentor with expertise in team learning

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Seek guidance and support from an experienced professional to enhance your team learning journey.

Browse courses on Mentorship

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Identify potential mentors through professional networks, industry events, or online platforms.
Reach out to individuals who align with your learning goals.
Establish a mentorship agreement outlining expectations and goals.
Schedule regular meetings for guidance, feedback, and support.

Read "The Fifth Discipline" by Peter Senge

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Build a foundation in systems thinking and learning organizations to enhance your understanding of team learning dynamics.

View The Dance of Change on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of the book.
Dedicate time for daily reading, aiming for 20-30 pages per session.
Take notes and highlight key concepts while reading.
Reflect on the book's ideas and consider their applicability to your team learning.

Five other activities

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Join a peer learning group for team development

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Connect with peers to share experiences, insights, and best practices in team learning.

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Search for existing peer learning groups or create your own.
Establish group rules and guidelines for effective collaboration.
Facilitate regular meetings for discussions, knowledge sharing, and mutual support.
Encourage active participation and feedback from all members.

Conduct team simulations with different scenarios

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Engage in practical simulations to develop your team's ability to navigate challenges and make informed decisions.

Browse courses on Conflict Resolution

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Identify specific team challenges or scenarios to address.
Create a simulation plan outlining roles, objectives, and timeframes.
Facilitate the simulation, providing guidance and observation.
Conduct post-simulation debriefing to analyze team performance and identify areas for improvement.

Develop a team learning plan

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Create a roadmap for your team's learning journey, outlining goals, strategies, and evaluation plans.

Browse courses on Team Development

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Establish team learning objectives and goals.
Identify team strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth.
Develop a learning plan outlining specific strategies and activities.
Assign roles and responsibilities for implementing the plan.
Establish a system for monitoring and evaluating progress.

Contribute to open-source projects focused on team collaboration

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Gain practical experience in team-based software development and contribute to open-source communities.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify open-source projects that align with your skill set and learning goals.
Review project documentation and contribute to discussions.
Submit pull requests with code contributions or documentation improvements.
Collaborate with project maintainers and other contributors.

Develop a team learning case study

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Document and analyze a real-world case of effective team learning to enhance your understanding.

Browse courses on Case study

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Identify a team that has demonstrated successful learning outcomes.
Conduct interviews and gather data to understand their learning strategies and processes.
Write a case study report outlining the team's challenges, interventions, and results.
Share the case study with peers or within your organization to promote learning.

Career center

Learners who complete Creating a Team Culture of Continuous Learning will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst designs and develops computer systems to meet the needs of an organization. This course may be useful to a Systems Analyst as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist analyzes data to identify patterns and trends. This course may be useful to a Data Scientist as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst analyzes business processes and systems to identify opportunities for improvement. This course may be useful to a Business Analyst as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Team Leader

A Team Leader leads and manages a team of employees to achieve organizational goals. This course may be useful to a Team Leader as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Team Leader

Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, organizes, and executes projects to achieve organizational goals. This course may be useful to a Project Manager as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Curriculum Developer

A Curriculum Developer designs and develops educational programs. This course may be useful to a Curriculum Developer as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer creates and develops training materials and programs. This course may be useful to an Instructional Designer as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Education Consultant

An Education Consultant provides guidance and support to educational institutions and organizations. This course may be useful to an Education Consultant as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Consultant

Learning and Development Specialist

A Learning and Development Specialist designs and delivers training programs to help employees improve their skills and knowledge. This course may be useful to a Learning and Development Specialist as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Learning and Development Specialist

Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager oversees all aspects of human resources for an organization, including recruitment, training, development, and employee relations. This course may be useful to a Human Resources Manager as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

An Industrial-Organizational Psychologist applies psychology to the workplace to improve employee productivity and satisfaction. This course may be useful to an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Management Consultant

A Management Consultant helps organizations to improve their performance by providing advice and support on a range of issues. This course may be useful to a Management Consultant as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Organizational Psychologist

An Organizational Psychologist studies the behavior of individuals and groups in the workplace. This course may be useful to an Organizational Psychologist as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Psychologist

Organizational Development Manager

An Organizational Development Manager helps to improve the effectiveness of an organization by developing and implementing strategies for improving employee performance. This course may be useful to an Organizational Development Manager as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Manager

Training and Development Manager

A Training and Development Manager plans and implements training programs to improve employee skills and knowledge. This course may be useful to a Training and Development Manager as it provides insights into how teams can learn from their past experiences and improve their performance. The course also provides practical tips on how to create a learning culture within a team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Manager

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Creating a Team Culture of Continuous Learning.

The Bully-Proof Workplace: Essential Strategies,...

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Classic in the field of organizational learning. It provides a comprehensive overview of the key principles and practices of learning organizations. It must-read for anyone who wants to create a team culture of continuous learning.

The Bully-Proof Workplace: Essential Strategies,...

Kindle Edition

The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)

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Provides a framework for understanding why large organizations often fail to innovate. It valuable read for anyone who wants to create a team culture that is open to new ideas and willing to take risks.

Creating a Team Culture of Continuous Learning

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What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Team-focused learning

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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