Learning vs lending culture

The World Bank has recently undergone a major restructure to reflect it's purpose of becoming a 'solutions bank'. This requires a significant shift in how knowledge is used and shared. Monika Weber-Fahr, head of knowledge at the World Bank's Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) recently chaired an excellent conference on the most important topics contributing to organisational learning culture at the Bank 'How the Bank Learns' (80 mins). The speakers are managers of front-line departments ('Global Practices'), so their ideas on knowledge sharing and collaboration are perspective and pragmatic.

This video is also very good to see an innovative panel format, quality of chairmanship and use of real-time event tools.

All of the ideas about learning culture and 'making time for learning' in large organisations are relevant to KIN members.

Give and take

It's something we probably knew deep-down; those who behave in a generous way to others, will in the long-term do better that only 'take'. This article from McKinsey is from an interview with Wharton School's Adam Grant. He posits that generosity in the workplace continues to be more effective than selfishness and why it is critical for personal fulfilment.

When it comes to knowledge work, identifying natural 'givers' and screening out 'takers' can be very powerful. But how to screen for takers and how do you convert them to givers? The article suggests practical ways of doing this, such as "Ask what would you do in a situation like this,” and give everybody the same situation. The problem is, no one wants to admit, “I would be a taker here.” But there’s an easy way around this, which is, instead of asking “What would you do?” you ask people to predict what other people would do.

(Photo credit: vaXzine)

Grant elaborates on his recent book, Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success, which explores the evolving world of workplace dynamics, why selfishness fails, and how working with, for, and through others continues to be the recipe for personal and organizational success. 

Related articles

• Nice Guys Finish First
• How to Build Generosity in the Workplace
• Are You A Giver, Taker Or Matcher? Adam Grant Shares How It Could Affect Your Success
• The Top Ten Signs You Might Be a Taker

MBI SIG Announcement: The Value Paradox for intangible assets

In researching our proposed 'Measuring Intangibles' event, I came across an interesting research paper prepared for the Work Foundation. To see the importance of investing in and measuring knowledge work, this graphic speaks for itself (although the definition of what is an intangible asset must be understood). The report is available here and in the KIN Management Buy-in SIG library.

How Reddit Are Taking The Management Out Of Managing An Online Community

Not sure if you have heard of (or are a member of) the Reddit community, but this interesting article talks about how it has achieved incredible success worldwide by taking the approach of distributed control. Some really good points in here for Community leaders everywhere, that largely echo the findings of the KIN CoP Benchmarking study carried out a few years ago... Key points: 1. Start by helping an existing community 2.Give people a place to feel they belong 3. It's best for communities to grow steadily 4. When a community hits critical mass, start offering subgroups 5. The success of a community is directly related to the leader or moderator 6. Give your community leaders the tools they need to succeed 7. When you give up control, your community surprises you in amazing ways

KRT SIG Announcement: New Roundtable Event: Knowedge Retention and Transfer, 20 Aug 2014

The need to effectively share and exchange know-how, whether to proactively identify/mitigate knowledge risk, as part of staff moves or react to retirement/redundancy, is as great as ever. Many KIN member organisations are tackling this issue in creative ways. Some having moved from responding to a 'reactive' knowledge loss situation, to a proactive identification of critical knowledge. Whatever your need or whatever your approach, everyone is encouraged to bring along knowledge transfer techniques and tools for a 'show-and-tell', so that we share new insights and innovative approaches. Full details can be found on this event page: Roundtable: Knowedge Retention and Transfer'