Background

Culture refers to the set of elements {beliefs, values, practices, symbols, history, rituals, stories, and so on} that are shared by the members of a group. Cultures are the driving force for the results and effectiveness of groups.

A healthy culture is one that maximizes the wellbeing of the group and the wellbeing of its members. A healthy culture is not an end state. Instead, we seek improvement. Our (healthy culture today) is better than our (healthy culture one week ago). Our (healthy culture one month from today) will be better than our (healthy culture today).

Cultures can and should be improved on an ongoing basis. The method for making a culture better is called reflective thinking.

A healthy culture for learning emphasizes cultural elements that lead to effective learning by members of the group.

Examples of Healthy Cultures

1. Company A was having problems with sales. So people who worked at A learned and applied topics from product design marketing, sales, and so on. The problem with sales no longer exist.

2. University A was having trouble with student recruitment. So people working at A learning and applied topics that helped them create far better learning, better collaboration among professor especially across departments and colleges, better marketing, better student support, and so forth. University A now has to turn away many students; their previous problem with recruitment is a thing of the past.

How to Grow a Healthy Culture for Learning

Apply RT as follows.

1. Accurately write down the elements as they exist today. Then, write down what you want them to be.

Elements of a Healthy Culture for Learning

Here are some of the elements.

1. Problems are solved by learning and applying the right topics.

2. Problems can be solved.