Unlocking the Power of Tacit Knowledge in Interviews
Diving deep into the nuances of capturing tacit knowledge, I wish to share my learnings from Knowledge Management Global Network's course on "Leveraging the Value Creation of Tacit Knowledge." The last session, led by Dan Asher (phd)., dived into the mastery of interviewing.
Some takeaways:
The What of Asking:
The essence of extracting deep, tacit knowledge lies in crafting the right questions.
Reflective Questions prompt introspection and sharing insights that go beyond surface-level information.
Scenario-based Questions encourage interviewees to project themselves into specific situations, revealing how they navigate complexities.
Open Questions about Approaches open the floodgates to exploring a person's thought process, unveiling not just what they think but why they think it.
The How of Asking:
Equally, if not more important, is how we engage in these conversations.
Building Rapport is not just a precursor but a continuous process significantly affecting the depth and quality of information shared.
The journey towards building trust might seem long. Still, small gestures—like a genuine smile or a moment shared from one's personal life—often bridge the gap, enabling deeper tacit knowledge capture, while also benefiting an enjoyable, and relaxed conversation.
This all reaffirmed my belief that in the mastery of interviews, especially within the context of knowledge management, the "what" and "how" are inseparable allies. Each enhances the effectiveness of the other, paving the way for a richer, more comprehensive understanding and value creation of tacit knowledge.