members share common values (1993). While they are performing, they are covering for
each others weaknesses and making the best use of each others strengths.
Seeing the team learning concept in an organizational context, we find that when
a team is learning, two types of learning processes are observed.
- First, when the team is trained for a specific task and the actions of its individuals are
coordinated, the team members learn how to adapt themselves so as to facilitate each
other’s task and make the team performance efficient and effective. In the process they
try to improve the level of their existing skills and make efforts to coordinate their
activities well with other team members’ activities. This creates patience and flexibility
among the team members. In this case most of the learning is related to their output and
the environment where they work. - There is a second type of learning process going on among the team members, and it is
their awareness about each others strength which not only facilitates their job but also
their personal development. The knowledge of the presence and the power of the use of
these different types of strengths among the team members motivate the individual to
make efforts to develop those strengths in them. And if such strengths already exist, then
to further expand them.
Senge’s discussion highlights that “Team learning has three critical dimensions...
The need to think insightfully about complex issues, the need for innovative and coordinated
action, the role of other team members in other teams.” (1990)
According to Gautham and Bathra team building involves rapid learning and free
flow of ideas (1993). Success of the team encourages other teams to follow the same
pattern and be another successful team in that organization. This is not just it; infact, team
learning is more than just one successful story. The learning that has occurred in the team
is taken by the team members back to their work places, thus improving their
performance there, and there is a greater possibility that they share it with their other co-
workers.