The Knowledge Worker
Definitions/Characteristics
What is a knowledge worker |
There are many definitions of a knowledge worker, what characteristics they may possess,here are a few examples.
The term "Knowledge Worker" was coined by Peter Drucker some 30 years ago to describe someone who adds value by processing existing information to create new information, which could be used to define and solve problems"
"Where the rubber meets the road" Nagananda Kumar
"Knowledge workers use their intellect to convert their ideas into products, services or processes"
Miller WC, Fostering Intellectual Capital.HR Focus, 1998
"Their main value to an organisation is their ability to gather and analyse information and make decisions that will benefit the company. They are able to work collaboratively with and learn from each other; they are willing to take risks, expecting to learn from their mistakes rather than be critisised for them"
Rogoski RR.Knowledge Workers top company assets.Triangle Business Journal, 1999.
Knowledge workers are continually learning, aware that knowledge has a limited shelf life"
Allee.V. 12 Principles of knowledge management.Training and Development, 1997.
To illustrate the point further I would like to share with you the following extract, taken from the article written by Peter Drucker. Published by Forbes, in October 1998, entitled Management's New Paradigms.
The entire article can be downloaded here as a PDF document. Management's New Paradigms
The Knowledge Worker in the 21st Century
It is now 2007, the 21st century has arrived, has the world of work changed, certainly in many organisations this is of course the case, cultures prescribing to the benefits of its People do indeed exist. There are of course some organisations where this culture is not fully embraced, business decisions are made, and it could be argued that they are indeed being "knowledge Workers" themselves.
By making a decision, they have interpreted their information into a solution that solves their particular problem.
Evidence indeed that perhaps we are all, (or certainly we all possess the ability to become )Knowledge Workers.
Perhaps the most revealing comment Peter Drucker made was in respect of Performance Maximisation.
All of our work recently has been on the productivity of the manual worker..the way one maximises performance is to capitalise on the strengths and the knowledge of today's 21st century worker. One aspect of Three Cornerstones Coaching, (one which is fundamental to the belief that people are an organisations most important asset), is that of performance improvement through learning and enjoyment.
To ensure that your status as a knowledge worker is maintained, we advocate learning and enjoyment, as cornerstones of maintaining your knowledge worker status.
The knowledge worker spends a great deal of their time carrying out their work, it should surely be enjoyable! shouldn't it?
We believe it should be, all of our coaching services are built around this belief of learning and enjoyment and the ultimate goal Performance Improvement