Thursday, May 09, 2002
Leading grassroots KM efforts

Tuesday Night Takeaways – My Random Thoughts from Class (4/23/02)

  • I like the description of the course as being part technology, part philosophy. I would add that it should also be one part theology because you need faith and religion that this will all come together by the end of class.
  • I think I am finally understanding the concept of a weblog. The key for me was the comment in class to think of it as a journal, rather than only a place to post and discuss articles. I had it in my head that this was similar to a discussion group. I think that somebody suggested that this is similar to a discussion group, but you are writing for yourself.
  • One question raised in class was if Knowledge Management involves moving culture. I think if it is done well, there has to be a shift in culture. The organization needs to embrace knowledge management both top-down and bottom-up. Bottom-up is the better way to start a knowledge management process, but to be embraced by the entire organziation, it also needs a top-down approach, with upper management approval and funding.

[Mark Kaczkowski's Radio Weblog] (emphasis added)

Several points to respond to here.

The issue of "faith" and of culture change are tied together here. Back to those in a minute, but first I want to react to Mark's observation about weblogging.

Weblogging is one of those mirror-like ideas that seem to reflect the experiences and expectations of the viewer. Journalists looking at weblogs compare them to newpapers or magazines. Political pundits compare them to op-ed columns. Not too surprising for any new technology (can you say horseless carriage?). I think the key point that Mark gets here is that you have to write for yourself in a weblog. It's a tool for helping work out what it is you are thinking. Putting it out there for others to react to is an important element of helping you think more clearly, but the blogs I find most interesting are the ones that let me peek over someone's shoulder as they work something out.

As to the organizational change that KM might elicit, I believe it will take much more time than the next quarter or so to figure out. All organizational change takes time to play out. The curious challenge for me about KM is how to get the right kind of senior executive support. I believe that the issue is much more than a statement of support and adequate funding. It takes some degree of leadership by example rather than exhortation. This could be a huge barrier for KM of any meaningful kind.

One question this raises for me is whether knowledge-based organizations will demand a different kind of leadership than organization's produce today.

6:26:19 PM •  • comment  


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