thoughts on "Common Knowledge" by Dixon

major themes of Common Knowledge by Dixon
there are many different ways to transfer knowledge
knowledge is transferred most effectively when the transfer process fits the knowledge transferred

It was an easy read and thoroughly enjoyable. I really liked the case studies. I could relate to several of them with experiences and situations I have lived through.

KNOWLEDGE AS A GROUP PHENOMENON (page $156) took me away!
Especially because all through academics we are measured individually and on-the-job performance reviews are most always individual measurements. In our class discussion we talked about performance reviews being a grade of the supervisor/worker relationship rather than performance, didn't we?

This book has planted some seeds in my thinking!

Part of what I really like about grad school is the different things I am learning from the other students in group activities. My life is too short to learn everything by my own experience. I value the learned lessons others share with me and also the varied perspectives they bring to the tasks.

But when in a class my grade depends on the group's effort, getting the grade I want requires a whole different set of skills. Suddenly today, I realize professors giving this kind of assignmnet are trying to foster an appreciation for sharing knowledge and the value of the same. I thought they were just trying to foster getting along in groups skills and working together skills
and diversity skills. But it really is also about learning to share knowledge and to learn from others!

The same would be true on the job. How can I foster an environment where workers will be willing to share rather than horde their work expertise? "Thinking together" may not work in competitive environments but sounds so exciting with unlimited possibilities in team and group efforts!

I aslso liked page #156 the synopsis about communities of practice.