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It might feel uncomfortable to work out loud initially, but WOL works best when it is approached with a learning and sharing mindset.
KIM Matters
Working louder T
RUSTING networks are a keystone for sharing complex and valuable knowledge, but they can be challenging for KMers
to create and support. Revisiting John Stepper’s Working Out Loud recently, has reminded me what a great method it is for knowledge sharing, as well as accomplishing specifi c goals and giving your work more purpose.
In fact, as I re-read Stepper’s book, I wonder if all of us, whether we have access to a Working Out Loud circle or not, could benefi t from working a little bit “louder”?
What is Working Out Loud
and what is it for? Working Out Loud (WOL) is an approach in which employees form a virtual network. They talk about their work and publish what they do. The goal is for everyone to communicate with each other, respond to each other’s work, learn and collaborate together, and apply new knowledge to their practice. It’s a bit like networking to give rather than get (although, in time, the practice builds and supports the trusting relationships that underlie collaboration and knowledge exchange, so everyone gets something eventually). There are fi ve elements that underpin Working Out Loud:
1. Purposeful discovery – Stay focused on a goal and track what you’re doing to reach your goals.
2. Relationships – Develop real relationships by practising empathy, thoughtfulness and authentic connection.
3. Generosity – Focus on posting your contribution to help others rather than for self-promotion, and like and comment helpfully on other people’s work in order to connect and build rapport.
4. Visible work – Post your work somewhere people can fi nd it and engage with it in a conversational way to share
March 2023
INSIGHT
knowledge and inspire new ideas.
5. Growth mindset – Find ways to improve upon your work and be open to testing new strategies. Your audience helps to shape the fi nal product through their contributions to your posts.
What is a Working Out Loud Circle? A Working Out Loud Circle is a structured means to teach and support WOL and tends to involve the confi dential peer support of groups of four to fi ve people, who meet independently for one hour a week for twelve weeks. By the end of the twelve weeks each person will have built a bigger network, cultivated new skills, and increased their confi dence, as well as worked on their individual goals.
How can we all be a bit “louder” in our work?
We don’t all have access to a WOL circle or support for WOL from our leadership teams, but I think we could all benefi t from trying to apply some of the WOL principles to our work anyway.
It might feel uncomfortable to work out loud initially, but WOL works best when it is approached with a learning and sharing mindset. You must remember that most aspects of your work are interesting to your colleagues and peers, and humans are innately social beings, so you and your audience will enjoy your work more when feeling more connected. If you fi nd it hard to accept that others will fi nd your musings valuable, try to remember that WOL is a generous, helpful practice and focus on learning and growth: you are off ering a contribution with no expectation, with a view to helping yourself and your network to experiment and improve, rather than an expert opinion. If you are unsure what to share, Stepper suggests the following list:
● Your research; ● Your idea; ● Your projects; ● Your process or methods; ● Your motivations;
Hélène Russell (
helenerussell@theknowledgebusiness.co.uk) runs The Knowledge Business and is Chair of CILIP’s K&IM Group.
● Your challenges; ● Something you’ve learned; ● The work of others that you admire; ● Your connections, and ● Content from your network.
Choose a medium that you enjoy using, for sharing your work. If you like writing, start a blog. If you prefer speaking, start a podcast. If you enjoy making videos, start a Tik Tok or YouTube channel. Time is usually going to be the greatest barrier to this kind of activity, so make it easy to develop your content and share it. Lastly, if you need a metric, score your success by looking at the four bases of relationship building (generosity, vulnerability, candour, and accountability) or the fi ve elements above. Simplistic download numbers or readership numbers can’t quantify the positive eff ect your working out loud might be having on a colleague or peer.
What do you think?
Do you think working a bit “louder” at work can improve knowledge sharing? Or have you tried to work out loud before and struggled? I’d love to know what your experience was like. Email me at
helenerussell@theknowledgebusiness.co.uk. And if you would like to join an open peer-to-peer WOL group, the K&IM SIG would love to start one. Email me with your thoughts. IP
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