They do not fear failure, but rather view mistakes as an opportunity for learning. Embedded in a vision are norms or shared beliefs that guide the behavior of those to whom they are communicated. Schools with commitments to become true learning communities may compare their current norms to those that match their new vision. For example, a hallmark of a learning community is the curiosity that pervades its members who intentionally and routinely employ inquiry as a way of searching for new knowledge. They also support experimentation and risk taking and establish a zone of comfort and trust that encourage these.
Individuals shed their fear regarding mistakes and failures.
Norms supporting curiosity and risk taking will not long be accepted without certain core beliefs about all individuals within the school. Learning communities begin with an assumption that all their members are competent and capable of learning. Thus, high performance expectations are held for each individual member. Improvement is also an expectation. These practices support the proactivity of individuals who are consciously moving away from reactive behaviors.