Knowledge Management and Execution
What is it in humans that causes the massive disconnect between knowledge acquired and knowledge executed? There are obviously a bunch of blockers at work. Here’s some of them but feel free to add to the list via comments and I’ll republish the full list down the track:
- Knowledge overwhelm. Leads to decision confusion.
- Not enough resources to execute. Namely time, money and people.
- Procrastination.
- Knowledge gaps.
- Fear and greed blocks. Human survival strategy.
What is it in one individual that has them execute on knowledge better than another? Arguably two humans equal in knowledge and physical capability wouldn’t differ. Still you get different outcomes.
The difference is tools.
Do you hunt with and axe or a spear? How primitive are the tools you use? Do you regard emotions as tools? Do you adopt technology or hang out with Luddites? Do you create a complex life for yourself and ignore one of the best performance tools of all, simplicity.
Start thinking about character traits as tools. It’s not just about physical tools. The solution is simple but like all things you need to do something about it. I can’t say I have practiced all that I preach, but I definitely feel like I’m along the road a little.
Regularly assess your tools, learn new skills (tools), try new SaaS products (blatant plug for our web finance engine - an automation and connectivity tool), hire new or better people (time and resource tools), reallocate tasks to better skill sets. People are just as much a tool applied to a problem. Don’t use the wrong tool (person) for the job.
Revolutionary Action is Required
Revolution is a word I like to use instead of change. Change is small, it’s a maybe, it’s weak. Revolution brings on immediate, sudden change. It’s a shock and awe tactic to break old habits.
You need revolutionary attitude to take advantage of new tools. Don’t engage in change. Change means slow evolution that may not happen. You may not get around to it or you may leave it till later (i.e. never do it in many cases).
Static is the worst position of all. Static means zero evolution, zero improvement and zero execution on knowledge.
Revolution is sudden and brutal. It gives immediate results for analysis. Revolution can’t be maintained though. You need to create a method to sustain it. Have others keep you accountable, create reminders, take away the old tools and use you imagination to think up anything that will hold the revolution in place until the everyone is following you.
Real Life Example - A Motivation Tool
Attitude. Yes it’s a tool for motivation. If you have a positive attitude we all know it will rub of on people. Everyone knows it. Everyone has the knowledge of what a positive attitude does. Wake up in the morning and be a positive person. Live it and you watch the difference it makes.
I think it is revolutionary to witness a negative person switch to positive. I love to see it happen. Something in your human spirit has you start liking that person.
I once worked with a guy who was very successful at selling Term Deposits to government authorities for a Bank (Mick you’re an inspiration) and I put it down to his daily attitude which was abundant in the all powerful tool called ‘optimism’. Every sales call was a step closer to a ‘yes’, every ‘no’ from a customer created an opportunity for an upswing, a ‘yes’. Every person I met who new this guy loved this guy. He oozed optimism and this tool he wielded like a sword caused revolutions in money making.
A tool I was thinking about today that prompted this post is the ‘filter’. I decided I needed a tool to cut down on my notes and email writing. My filter was weak, I needed a better one. When I looked at my pipeline of email, RSS, meeting notes and brainwave scribbles it was scary. So I got rid of my notepad (a method to hold this revolutionary action in place). I’ve decided to test my memory out as my new filter. If it’s really important, really necessary then I’ll remember it and put it into Trac (support/bug system), my calender, or send of an email immediately to the relevant person for fear of forgetting. So this cuts out my note taking, which otherwise would need re-keying and accordingly would clog up my to do list. It would mean more and more B-list to do’s that in many cases shouldn’t make it. A-list only, just like Paris 
Anyway I’ll let you know how it goes. I will drop this new filter if it doesn’t work. At least I will have explored the option for long term advantage. A ‘free 30 day trial on an efficiency tool’ if you like 
