However, there is often a gap between the conceptual understanding, and their own behaviours as leaders - and that can be a problem? How do you engage leaders both intellectually and emotionally, in a way which will make a difference to their day-to-day behaviours? It requires more than a set of competency frameworks!

The examples below are taken from the bestselling fieldbook "Learning to Fly ? Practical knowledge management from leading and learning organisations", written by Chris Collison and Geoff Parcell.

Example 1) In BP, well known for its knowledge-sharing culture, the senior leadership developed a habit of reinforcing "learning from others" when they visited operational sites. Imagine the scene: the Director or Senior VP arrives, and is given the usual tour of the site. They sit down with the management team and review the performance of the business against a set of stated KPIs. One of these KPIs is currently not being met. What happens when they identify this issue?

"Have you thought about approach X? Addressed performance issue Y? Changed widget Z?"

..will generate one set of behaviours.

"Who else have you spoken with at other sites who might have a similar issue?" ..will drive a very different set of behaviours.

This is the route that BP has chosen to take; senior management visits are opportunities to reinforce the value of learning from others, rather than opportunities to underline their seniority by providing "the answer".

Example 2) When the senior directors from energy and essential services company, Centrica, met to discuss how to improve knowledge sharing in the company, they agreed a set of practical "leadership challenges" for senior managers across the organisation:

• How can I personally demonstrate that "asking for help" is a sign of strength rather than weakness?
• When encountering a business problem, how can I reinforce the importance of learning from others - rather than simply providing an answer?
• When reviewing a project or investment proposal, have I challenged to ensure that it brings to bear knowledge from other projects?
• How do I react when someone fails - is it purely a loss to the business, or is it an investment in their education?
• D
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  set of competency frameworks!

  The examples below are taken from the bestselling fieldbook "Learning to Fly ? Practical knowledge management from leading and learning organisations", written by Chris Collison and Geoff Parcell.

  Example 1) In BP, well known for its knowledge-sharing culture, the senior leadership developed a habit of reinforcing "learning from others" when they visited operational sites. Imagine the scene: the Director or Senior VP arrives, and is given the usual tour of the site. They sit down with the management team and review the performance of the business against a set of stated KPIs. One of these KPIs is currently not being met. What happens when they identify this issue?

  "Have you thought about approach X? Addressed performance issue Y? Changed widget Z?"

  ..will generate one set of behaviours.

  "Who else have you spoken with at other sites who might have a similar issue?" ..will drive a very different set of behaviours.

  This is the route that BP has chosen to take; senior management visits are opportunities to reinforce the value of learning from others, rather than opportunities to underline their seniority by providing "the answer".

  Example 2) When the senior directors from energy and essential services company, Centrica, met to discuss how to improve knowledge sharing in the company, they agreed a set of practical "leadership challenges" for senior managers across the organisation:

  • How can I personally demonstrate that "asking for help" is a sign of strength rather than weakness?
  • When encountering a business problem, how can I reinforce the importance of learning from others - rather than simply providing an answer?
  • When reviewing a project or investment proposal, have I challenged to ensure that it brings to bear knowledge from other projects?
  • How do I react when someone fails - is it purely a loss to the business, or is it an investment in their education?
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    Invention of MicrofiberAfter years of trialing, Dr. Miyoshi Okamoto scientist of Japan at Toray Industries, invented the world's first microfiber in 1970 and later his coworker Dr. Toyohiko Hikota improve a new practice and modify Dr. Okamoto's invention into an remarkable new fabric - Ultrasuede - a non-woven material and the first commercial production of microfiber c
    VP arrives, and is given the usual tour of the site. They sit down with the management team and review the performance of the business against a set of stated KPIs. One of these KPIs is currently not being met. What happens when they identify this issue?

    "Have you thought about approach X? Addressed performance issue Y? Changed widget Z?"

    ..will generate one set of behaviours.

    "Who else have you spoken with at other sites who might have a similar issue?" ..will drive a very different set of behaviours.

    This is the route that BP has chosen to take; senior management visits are opportunities to reinforce the value of learning from others, rather than opportunities to underline their seniority by providing "the answer".

    Example 2) When the senior directors from energy and essential services company, Centrica, met to discuss how to improve knowledge sharing in the company, they agreed a set of practical "leadership challenges" for senior managers across the organisation:

    • How can I personally demonstrate that "asking for help" is a sign of strength rather than weakness?
    • When encountering a business problem, how can I reinforce the importance of learning from others - rather than simply providing an answer?
    • When reviewing a project or investment proposal, have I challenged to ensure that it brings to bear knowledge from other projects?
    • How do I react when someone fails - is it purely a loss to the business, or is it an investment in their education?
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      Market testing is the key to increasing the effectiveness of your advertising campaign. If you’re like me, just the word testing makes your shoulders slump and a groan escape your lips. Hey, it’s really not that bad... especially when you notice the substantial increase in your bank account!Think about it... how much profit is your advertising campaign producing? Which
      ifferent set of behaviours.

      This is the route that BP has chosen to take; senior management visits are opportunities to reinforce the value of learning from others, rather than opportunities to underline their seniority by providing "the answer".

      Example 2) When the senior directors from energy and essential services company, Centrica, met to discuss how to improve knowledge sharing in the company, they agreed a set of practical "leadership challenges" for senior managers across the organisation:

      • How can I personally demonstrate that "asking for help" is a sign of strength rather than weakness?
      • When encountering a business problem, how can I reinforce the importance of learning from others - rather than simply providing an answer?
      • When reviewing a project or investment proposal, have I challenged to ensure that it brings to bear knowledge from other projects?
      • How do I react when someone fails - is it purely a loss to the business, or is it an investment in their education?
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        li>How can I personally demonstrate that "asking for help" is a sign of strength rather than weakness?
      • When encountering a business problem, how can I reinforce the importance of learning from others - rather than simply providing an answer?
      • When reviewing a project or investment proposal, have I challenged to ensure that it brings to bear knowledge from other projects?
      • How do I react when someone fails - is it purely a loss to the business, or is it an investment in their education?
      • Do my team see failure as something to learn from, or something to cover up?

      These kind of questions and challenges bring to life the notion of knowledge management in a tangible, practical manner.

      What would work in your organisation? If you could issue five challenges to your senior team, what would you choose?

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