Learn or Die: Using Science to Build a Leading-Edge Learning Organization
To compete with today's increasing globalization and rapidly evolving technologies, individuals and organizations must take their ability to learn―the foundation for continuous improvement, operational excellence, and innovation―to a much higher level. In Learn or Die, Edward D. Hess combines recent advances in neuroscience, psychology, behavioral economics, and education with key research on high-performance businesses to create an actionable blueprint for becoming a leading-edge learning organization.
Table of Contents
Part 1: The Science of Learning
Chapter 1: Learn or Die: Building a High-Performance Learning Organization
Chapter 2: Learning: How Our Mind Works
Chapter 3: Emotions: The Myth of Rationality
Chapter 4: Learning: The Right People
Chapter 5: Creating a Learning Environment
Chapter 6: Learning Conversations
Chapter 7: Critical Thinking Tools
Chapter 8: A Conversation with Dr. Gary Klein
Part 2: Building a Learning Organization
Chapter 9: Bridgewater Associates, LP: Building a Learning “Machine”
Chapter 10: Intuit, Inc.: “It’s Time to Bury Caesar”
Chapter 11: United Parcel Services, Inc.: Being “Constructively Dissatisfied”
Learn or Die examines the process of learning from an individual and an organizational standpoint. From an individual perspective, the book discusses the cognitive, emotional, motivational, attitudinal, and behavioral factors that promote better learning. Organizationally, Learn or Die focuses on the kinds of structures, culture, leadership, employee learning behaviors, and human resource policies that are necessary to create an environment that enables critical and innovative thinking, learning conversations, and collaboration. The volume also provides strategies to mitigate the reality that humans can be reflexive, lazy thinkers who seek confirmation of what they believe to be true and affirmation of their self-image.
Learn or Die book features two very relevant Hyper-Learning related in-depth case studies:
Intuit, Inc.’s transformation giving every employee the power to do Innovation Rapid Experiments including the cultural changes it made to create that new way of working
A detailed 50 page chapter illuminating the unique way of working and that Ray Dalio created at the biggest hedge fund in the world which he founded: Bridgewater Associates, L.P..
Additionally, Learn or Die has a chapter verbatim interview with Dr. Gary Klein who is a leading cognitive research scientist who is one of the founders of the field of “naturalistic decision making” and creator of wonderful thinking tools including the Pre-Mortem; the Recognition-Primed Decision Model; and the Insight Process all of which are discussed in this book. Other featured companies are W.L. Gore & Associates and United Parcel Services, Inc.
What People Are Saying
“As digital technologies race ahead there is a growing need for creativity and innovation. But how can we build organizations that foster the highest levels of creativity and innovation? Learn or Die is a blueprint for creating such organizations.”
— Erik Brynjolffson, Co-author, The Second Machine Age
“Learn or Die makes a compelling case for the need to create high-performance, human-oriented learning organizations—and for the remarkable degree to which we are all capable of succeeding as leaders by following a path of ongoing, integrative learning. Combining fascinating behavioral research, actionable advice, and superb analysis of real-world business examples, Ed Hess has crafted essential reading for those seeking to prepare their organizations—and themselves—to thrive in a global marketplace characterized by rapid change, fierce competition, and a desperate need for leadership based on principles that are smart, sustainable, and, above all, humane.”
— Ming-Jer Chen, former president, Academy of Management
“This is by far the best book I've read on the subject of learning.”