Conrad Hake is another baby boomer dad, who made his career in the “let’s eat them first” Silicon Valley. He adds commentary, advice to WWDS periodically.
When a person just begins in the business world, one of the strategies they will often see is another person keeping knowledge to themselves in the name of job security. If someone else knows what I know, what is my advantage? This strategy can be rampant in the high tech industry.
·      First, real knowledge, the type that makes you valuable in a company, isn’t something that can just be packaged and “given†to another person. It is gained by study, experience, and reflection. It takes time, patience, and perseverance.
·      Second, communication of knowledge does not make you less valuable to a company, it makes you a leader. If the person you teach exceeds you, either in knowledge or company status, they probably got there by their own talents and work ethic. If that is so, what is that to you? There will always be more capable people in the universe. If they didn’t arrive by that path, maybe you should consider whether there are problems with the company…and whether you want to work there.
·      Third, if you freely share knowledge and help others, they will be willing allies if someone attacks you. Your job security is actually enhanced.
·      Fourth, you actually learn more, because people are more willing to share knowledge in return.
I think the list could go on and on. Bottom line? Most people serve themselves much better when they openly share their knowledge, help others to understand, and learn all that they can.
8 users commented in " A Kansan in Silicon Valley: Reflections on Covering Your Butt "
It’s hard to not see my knowledge as a bank account against irrelevance—message well taken.
I know, Mike. It’s counterintuitive – and more than a bit scary. Still, it’s the lesson experience has taught me.
It doesn’t mean you become a victim, though. It also doesn’t mean that you “cast your pearls before swine.” It means you foster positive intent and share freely within that framework.
. Question then:
Does knowledge acquired @ work belong to the company? It might help foster more of a positive team.–just a thought.
I don’t know how you could enforce that, Mike? Isn’t fencing off knowledge a bit lit trying to define a peeing section of the pool?
Companies have proprietary information, but I don’t know how they could enforce proprietary knowledge. But, I think I’m missing your point.
Hey Conrad…you may have missed the point but win for the best metaphor of the day, so far. “Defining the peeing section of the pool”…priceless.
Yeah, I actually stopped to think and had one of those d’oh! moments when I realized what Mike was saying.
Mike, I agree with you! Knowledge at work should be viewed as company property and you should be encouraged to share it just like you do the coffee (don’t think too long on the coffee metaphor, it breaks down because you aren’t pouring back into the pot)! My point (beside the point) was that you will carry some of that knowledge home with you – just like you do the coffee… which brings us back to the pool…
LOL–Thanks for the visual—My only point is that most knowledge shared within a company is not unlike a marketing concept or a software tip. If we think about it as “ours” it’s a misconception.
I think its time for a pool check—
Nicely said, Mike.
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