One
of the most satisfying aspects of this thing we call "knowledge management" is
building something of value for our clients and colleagues. This was the case
as we recently completed our second Advanced Working Group (or AWG, as we like
to refer to it) on the subject of the future of knowledge. A group of
enthusiastic and experienced knowledge management professionals from a variety
of industries, functions, and countries started with a "blank sheet" and
derived several ideal future results, or IFRs. Through a combination of
innovative methodology and skilled facilitation, this hardy band of cohorts
identified five essential needs for the successful organization of the future:
a digital hub, learning from lessons, a collaborative culture, exploiting the teachable
moment, and heuristics and critical thinking.That last ideal future result--heuristics and critical thinking--actually brings me to another satisfying aspect of KM: When others independently corroborate our work through their thinking. That's the case with CAPT Ralph Soule, currently the Commanding Officer, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair for the U.S. Navy at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. CAPT Soule is one of the smartest people I've ever had the pleasure to know personally, and I'll bet that it would be the case with you too. Just a few minutes of chatting with the captain would prove my assertion. In the captain's personal blog, he posted a few comments regarding the importance of critical thinking:
A Case Study in Critical Thinking: The Medical Care Reform Debate
Skill: Critical Thinking Update
Critical Thinking Exercise: Homeporting a CVN in Mayport, Florida
For
me, that's like, "Yes! We came to the right conclusion!"
By
the way, in the interest of transparency, it's not an accident that CAPT Soule
is a featured contributor to our blog. But then again, if you can't recommend
the work of your friends, who can you recommend?
Great blog, Jim. Critical thinking is definitely a needed job skill is this day and age.