The learning organization is a different sort of place. But it is an exciting one. The assumption of competence means that each individual can be expected to perform to the limit of his or her competence, with the minimum of supervision. For too long, organizations have operated on an assumption of incompetence. By contrast, the assumption of competence promotes flat organizations, with fewer checkers checking checkers.
Flat organizations are far more responsive, efficient and cost-effective.
They put a high premium on early training, on acculturation in their ways and values and on some form of vetting or qualification before an individual is allowed to operate. In these organizations the learning habit starts early. Competence alone, despite all the prior learning it implies, is not enough to foster the learning habit. It must be accompanied by curiosity. Watch a small child learning.