We present 14 learning principles supporting a lean approach to knowledge management. These principles are discussed in relation to research on competence development strategies. Further, we also relate them to advice and lessons learned from the agile and lean software development communities. The principles focus on learning as a team activity, and learning focused on needs. They also suggest a perspective where inventories of knowledge can be seen as waste, and where learning is potentially a wasteful activity. We argue that the learning principles are significant steps towards lean knowledge management.