Innovational Tacit Knowledge Capturing

In today's Knowledge Management Global Network Course, "Leveraging the Value of Tacit Knowledge," we delved into an innovative concept presented by Dan Asher (phd). The session centered on the four key concepts of Symbolic Interactions, originally articulated by Ervin Goffman (1959), showcasing how these principles can be pivotal in capturing tacit knowledge within roles heavily reliant on interpersonal interactions, such as negotiators,sale speople, and managers.

Dan Asher commenced by elucidating the four cornerstone concepts:

• Defining the situation

• Self-presentation

• Role-taking 

• Impression management.

He outlined a straightforward, four-stage process for engaging with experts to uncover their tacit knowledge:

1. Introduce the concept of symbolic interaction and the four key concepts, emphasizing their relevance in extracting tacit knowledge.

2. Pose open-ended questions related to these four aspects (e.g., "What do you focus on when meeting a customer?").

3. Actively listen to their responses, prompting further with follow-up questions.

4. Document and leverage the tacit knowledge shared.

My key takeaway: By purposefully examining the unseen portion of the iceberg, and understanding how individuals respond to various frameworks (today, through Goffman's lens), we unlock numerous avenues to tacit knowledge. This approach reveals profound insights into the underlying dynamics of interpersonal interactions, offering a rich reservoir of untapped knowledge. Truly enlightening!