Sharing Knowledge in the Workplace - How to do it and why it's Important

Sharing knowledge in the workplace is not only important but essential to the success of any organization. After all, knowledge is power - and the more knowledge an organization has, the more power it has to achieve its goals.

Knowledge can be shared in many different ways, depending on the type of business you are running, and the culture of your workplace. One of the most common methods is face-to-face communication, but this has become increasingly difficult in recent years with the rise of remote working.

Of employees and employers who took the Remote Work & Compensation Pulse Survey in May 2021, 48% expressed a desire to be fully remote. 44% of employees favored hybrid working arrangements. Among employers, 51% support the hybrid work model, while only 5% mention fully remote work as a possibility.

So it's safe to say that sharing knowledge in the workplace is going to have to adapt to the new reality of remote work. In this article, we'll be exploring some tips on how to do just that.

Why is knowledge sharing so important?

There are many reasons why sharing knowledge in the workplace is important. Firstly, sharing knowledge can help improve efficiency in the workplace. When everyone has access to the same information, they can work more quickly and effectively, without having to waste time searching for answers.

Secondly, sharing knowledge can help limit the skill gap in the workplace. When knowledge is shared openly, employees have the opportunity to learn from each other and develop their skills. This can help to close the gap between experienced and inexperienced workers and ensure that everyone is able to contribute to the organization's success.

Thirdly, you can save money and time by sharing knowledge. When employees are able to find answers themselves, they don't have to rely on their managers or other members of the team to solve every problem. This can free up time for everyone involved, and help to reduce the cost of training and development.

Finally, sharing knowledge can improve employee engagement and motivation. When employees feel that they are able to contribute to the organization and make a difference, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work.

Explicit vs. Tacit Knowledge Sharing

There are two main types of knowledge sharing: explicit and tacit. Explicit knowledge sharing refers to sharing information that is written down or stored in some way, such as in manuals, databases, or intranets. Tacit knowledge sharing, on the other hand, refers to sharing information through face-to-face communication or personal experience.

According to a study by Pangil and Nasruddin, Tacit knowledge sharing is more likely to happen when employees have face-to-face interactions with each other. This allows for dialectic debate, which is beneficial for the exchange of information.

In order for tacit knowledge to be shared, organizations need to encourage the development of individual meta-abilities. This means that individuals need to be able to understand and use knowledge in a variety of ways. It also requires a lot of effort and determination on the part of both the organization and the individuals sharing the knowledge.

How you can encourage knowledge sharing in the workplace

Understanding that knowledge sharing is important is one thing, but actually encouraging it in the workplace is another. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Make knowledge sharing a part of your company culture. One of the most effective ways your organization can unlock the benefits of knowledge sharing is when you embed it within your culture. By creating a knowledge-sharing culture, you encourage employees to share their knowledge more freely, and it becomes a part of your company’s DNA.

2. Reward employees for sharing their knowledge. This can be done in a number of ways, such as giving rewards or recognition for those who share their knowledge or setting up a system where employees can earn points or badges for sharing their knowledge.

3. Make it easy for people to find and share knowledge. If you want people to share knowledge, you need to make it easy for them to do so. This means creating an environment where knowledge can be easily accessed and shared.

4. Encourage knowledge sharing through training and development. Another great way to encourage knowledge sharing is to provide training and development opportunities that focus on it. This will help employees understand the importance of knowledge sharing and how to do it effectively.

5. Use technology to support knowledge sharing. There are many different types of technology that can help with knowledge sharing, such as knowledge management systems, social media, and collaboration tools. By using these technologies, you can make it easier for people to find and share knowledge.

6. Evaluate and adjust your knowledge-sharing strategy. It’s important to regularly evaluate your knowledge-sharing strategy to see how it’s working and make adjustments as needed. This will help you ensure that your knowledge-sharing strategy is effective and achieves the desired results.

By following these tips, you can encourage knowledge sharing in the workplace, which in turn can help your organization to improve its performance and competitiveness.

Create Spaces for Sharing

In the past, people had to physically be in the same room or building to share knowledge - be it sharing a new idea, teaching a skill, or simply sharing best practices. But with the advent of technology, sharing knowledge has become much easier - you can now share knowledge with people all over the world, regardless of location.

In order to share information in a way that is helpful for your company, you need to create the right spaces for sharing. These can be physical spaces, such as knowledge-sharing sessions or workshops, or virtual spaces.

Virtual or online spaces would be things like an intranet, an internal wiki, or a company blog. By creating these online spaces, you make it easy for employees to share knowledge with each other - no matter where they are located.

Choose the one that fits your needs

There are hundreds, if not thousands of options available when it comes to knowledge-sharing software, but not all are created equal. When choosing the right one for your organization, make sure it will align with your company’s needs.

Lorino for example is the perfect addition to any company that is looking for an easy and efficient way to store and share knowledge. Created with the intention of connecting employees, the platform offers a very user-friendly and intuitive way to share knowledge and news within your organization.

Think of it as a cross between a notice board and a social network - it offers your employees space to share all their ideas, and for managers to post company news and updates. What’s more, it allows you to connect with other employees in your organization, regardless of location.

Make it easy to find information

If sharing knowledge is going to be helpful for your organization, then people need to be able to find the information they are looking for. This means making it easy to search for and find the information they need.

One way to do this is by using a knowledge management system, which is a type of software that helps you to store, organize, and find information. Knowledge management systems can be used to store all kinds of information, such as documents, articles, best practices, and more.

Another way to make it easy to find information is by using an intranet, which is a private network that can only be accessed by people within your organization. An intranet can be used to store and share all kinds of information, such as company news, employee directories, policies and procedures, and more.

By making it easy to find the information they need, you make it more likely that employees will actually use the knowledge-sharing system.

Summary

Sharing knowledge in the workplace is important for any organization that wants to improve its performance and competitiveness. By following these tips, you can create the right spaces for sharing, make it easy to find information, and encourage employees to share their knowledge.