Knowledge Hiding
How sharing information proactively in a workplace can benefit all
Information is power. There’s no doubt that in the fast-paced business environment, timely and accurate information is crucial for making informed decisions. However, it can easily be trapped or hidden intentionally or unintentionally within individuals, teams, or departments, leading to miscommunications and missed opportunities.
The reason behind hiding information is often worrying about losing power. Knowledge hiding can have many forms, from “playing dumb” to passive-aggressive communication, the motive is similar. Let's say you are working on a project and you discover a potential roadblock. You will have a choice of keeping this information to yourself and using it as your secret knowledge whenever you find the chance or sharing it with the team. In a healthy organization, a proactive approach to sharing information is encouraged and expected.
Sharing information proactively means sharing data, updates, progress reports, and other relevant information before it's requested to people who can benefit from them.
Why is sharing information proactively important?
Sharing information proactively has several benefits and encourages healthier behavior in your team culture, some of the benefits are:
Better decision-making: When everyone has access to the same information, it becomes easier to make informed decisions. Proactive communication ensures that decision-makers have all the relevant information they need to make the best choices.
Improved collaboration: Avoiding knowledge hiding fosters collaboration and helps teams work more effectively together. When everyone is up-to-date on the latest developments, it becomes easier to coordinate efforts and work towards a common goal.
Increased accountability: It helps to establish clear expectations and accountability. When everyone is aware of what's expected of them, it becomes easier to hold individuals and teams accountable for their work.
Better relationships: Proactive communication helps to build trust and improve relationships between team members and stakeholders. When people feel informed and included, they are more likely to feel valued and engaged.
How can you share information proactively?
Here are some tips for sharing information proactively:
Use a shared platform: A shared platform, such as a project management tool or collaboration software to share live and processed data, ensures that everyone has access to the same information and can easily collaborate when they needed.
Set up regular check-ins: Set regular short meetings with your team and stakeholders to share updates and discuss progress. These check-ins can act as a regular health check of knowledge sharing within the company.
Be clear and concise: Focus on the most important details and avoid overwhelming people with unnecessary information.
Provide context: When sharing information, provide context to help people understand the bigger picture. This can particularly be helpful for new joiners and save them time.
No team can ultimately benefit from knowledge hiding. It is essential for organizations to encourage a culture of proactive information sharing and create a safe environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their knowledge and expertise with their colleagues.