Leading Organizational Learning

Chapter Sixteen

Unleash the Learning Epidemic

James Belasco

The following “help wanted” advertisement recently appeared in
one of the world’s leading business magazines.

We provide leading-edge solutions to many of the world’s largest

institutions.... Our continued growth is based on an unmatched

knowledge of customers’ business needs—and the ability to create

solutions to meet them. It’s an environment that encourages the

desire to grow knowledge and give of our best. And that’s where

you’ll be chartered to realize that aim.... You will help us maximize

the business advantage we gain from the finest minds we employ.^1

I’ve seen similar ads in other leading newspapers. Many organiza-
tions are looking at learner-leaders (L^2 s) to fill both management
and staff leadership positions. More important, there are discussions
about learning in boardrooms and offices across the world.
Developing the learning “epidemic” in your organization all
begins with you, regardless of your position. Leaders cast long shad-
ows, and everyone is a leader of some type of organization, whether
it is Intergalactic Motors, an accounts payable team, a family, or
even the one-person organization known as ME, Inc. Cast a long
learning shadow! Set the gold standard that expects learning to be
a major part of everyone’s life by making it a major part of yours.
Demonstrate your commitment to learning in every way possible
so that others will be encouraged to follow your example. Then
build the systems framework that will turn your L^2 focus into an
organizationwide epidemic!

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