10 Information hoarding: Only Brent knows

 

This chapter covers

  • Recognizing information hoarding
  • Using lightning talks as a way to stay engaged
  • Structuring lunch-and-learns
  • Blogging and writing as a means of communicating
  • Using external events and groups to increase knowledge-sharing practices

Unless purposeful action is taken, information tends to coalesce around key individuals. It makes those individuals incredibly valued but also equally burdened. Processes and projects can come grinding to a halt when that key person is out of the office or otherwise unavailable. I call this the only Brent knows antipattern, a nod to the character from The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford (IT Revolution Press, 2018). It happens when information sharing isn’t fostered throughout the organization, and team members begin to disengage from topics that are the realm of key personnel.

Throughout this book, I’ve been discussing the value of collaboration among staff members and empowering those staff members with the capabilities they need to succeed. But one facet about empowerment goes beyond access restrictions and permissions. It goes deeper into the practice of empowering through knowledge and awareness.

10.1 Understanding how information hoarding happens

10.2 Recognizing unintentional hoarders

10.2.1 Documentation isn’t valued

10.2.2 Abstraction vs. obfuscation

10.2.3 Access restrictions

10.2.4 Evaluating gatekeeper behavior

10.3 Structuring your communication effectively

10.3.1 Defining your topic

10.3.2 Defining your audience

10.3.3 Outlining your key points

10.3.4 Presenting a call to action

10.4 Making your knowledge discoverable

10.4.1 Structuring your knowledge stores

10.4.2 Creating learning rituals

10.5 Using chat tools effectively

10.5.1 Establishing company etiquette

10.5.2 Moving beyond just chat

Summary