Tacit knowledge can be a bit puzzling to understand because it’s not something we can see or touch, but it shapes how we see and do things. It is what we gain through personal experience and is often difficult to put into words or communicate otherwise.
This type of knowledge emerges from the very fabric of our existence, stitched together by real-life experiences, challenges, and moments of triumph. This type of knowledge is not something that can be acquired solely from textbooks or formal education, it’s deeply personal, uniquely shaped by our individual journey.
It’s like having your very own recipe for the world’s best pizza. Even if you write down all the ingredients and steps, it never quite tastes the same when someone else makes it. That’s because our tacit knowledge is influenced not only by our experiences but also by our beliefs and values. We often express our tacit knowledge in the form of skills, ideas, and experiences. It’s like our own secret language of expertise.
Originators of Tacit Knowledge
The term “tacit knowledge” was coined by Michael Polanyi in 1958. In his seminal work, “The Tacit Dimension,” published in 1966, he famously stated, “We can know more than we can tell.” Polanyi essentially believed in a type of knowledge that was hard to put into words but formed the foundation of what we know.
Other pioneers in the realm of tacit knowledge, such as Nonaka and Takeuchi, as well as Davenport and Prusak, echo this sentiment. They agree that tacit knowledge refers to the wisdom we learn from our personal experiences. Additionally, they emphasize that effective knowledge management involves fostering an environment that encourages the creation, sharing, and utilization of both tacit and explicit knowledge.
Examples of Tacit Knowledge
Defining tacit knowledge is challenging due to its deeply ingrained nature. It encompasses skills, insights, and judgments internalized over time, making it difficult to transfer through conventional communication. Here are some tacit knowledge examples from various domains:
Music: Musicians and music producers employ tacit knowledge to create and produce music. It requires a profound understanding of music theory, technical finesse, and artistic nuances.
Cooking: Seasoned chefs, through years of practice, develop tacit knowledge. They craft new dishes, make intuitive ingredient decisions, and execute tasks efficiently.
Nursing: Experienced nurses possess tacit knowledge in unique patient care approaches. They spot patterns and connections not evident to others, making intuitive decisions.
Sales: Seasoned people on the sales team rely on tacit knowledge to make instinctive sales strategies and uncover hidden patterns.
Leadership: Veteran leaders draw upon tacit knowledge to make intuitive decisions about team management and tackle leadership challenges adeptly.
Driving: Expert drivers utilize tacit knowledge to make intuitive driving decisions, identify hidden patterns, and execute tasks with precision.
How Tacit Knowledge Develops
The development of tacit knowledge is an intriguing journey, shaped by our experiences and the way we learn. It happens through a process that’s deeply ingrained in our existence. Let’s explore how we acquire tacit knowledge:
Learning through Experience
Tacit knowledge forms when we get exposed to a specific subject or task. Over time, as we dive deeper into that subject or task, we gain an innate understanding which manifests in our thinking and behavior. For instance, consider seasoned chefs who have spent years in the kitchen. They acquire an intricate grasp of ingredients, techniques, and flavors that transform an ordinary dish into something extraordinary. This knowledge becomes tacit – challenging to express in words but profoundly woven into their thinking and actions.
Socialization and Observational Learning
Our journey through life isn’t just about our personal experiences. It’s also influenced by the norms, values, and beliefs of the cultures or groups we encounter. This process, known as socialization, plays a pivotal role in shaping our tacit knowledge. Additionally, we learn by observing others, a phenomenon referred to as observational learning. Imagine a child growing up in a family of musicians – they’re more likely to develop an innate understanding of music than a child without that exposure.
Role of Repetition and Practice in Tacit Knowledge
Repetition and practice are the hidden architects of our tacit knowledge. Think of a basketball player who dedicates themselves to shooting free throws every day. Through relentless repetition, they unlock the secrets of shooting mechanics. They become more proficient over time, honing their perception of the court, the distance to the hoop, and the precise force required for a perfect shot. Countless hours of practice build an unspoken wisdom that guides their actions seamlessly, going beyond mere words or instructions.
Why is Tacit Knowledge Important?
Tacit knowledge is our invaluable asset when it comes to decision-making and problem-solving. It’s the result of our real-life experiences, serving as our secret tool in navigating the complexities of choices. Understanding tacit knowledge gives us an edge in life.
Leads to Intuition
Think of tacit knowledge as our inner guide, often surfacing as intuition. Have you ever had that gut feeling, an instinctive sense of right or wrong? That’s your tacit knowledge at play. Even when you can’t recognize tacit knowledge immediately, your brain processes a wealth of accumulated information from years of experience.
Helps with Pattern Recognition
Tacit knowledge empowers us to spot patterns and connections that might escape others. Drawing from past experiences, we can identify similarities in current situations, enabling us to make well-informed choices.
Acts as Quick Response
Because tacit knowledge is deeply woven into our thinking, it equips us to respond promptly, even in high-pressure scenarios. We rely on your instincts, backed by years of learning from our own life experiences.
Fosters Creativity and Innovation
Creativity and innovation flourish when rooted in tacit knowledge.Tacit knowledge effortlessly allows you to blend ideas from various facets of your life. This fusion of concepts frequently paves the way for creative breakthroughs.
Provides Unique Perspective
Your tacit knowledge, shaped by your individual experiences, grants you a distinct viewpoint when tackling problems and challenges. This fresh perspective often leads to imaginative solutions that others might overlook.
Encourages Risk-Taking
Tacit knowledge can encourage you to minimize risks when you explore uncharted territories. It does that by promoting critical thinking and acceptance of mistakes and uncertainty. By recognizing the importance of tacit knowledge, we can try new paths backed by informed risk-taking.
Enriches Personal and Professional Growth
Personal and professional growth are intertwined with tacit knowledge. Tacit knowledge facilitates ongoing learning through experience. Every challenge becomes an opportunity to acquire new knowledge and evolve as an individual. It may become the invisible force propelling you forward on your journey of self-improvement.
Challenges in Uncovering Tacit Knowledge
Exploring the depths of tacit knowledge can be a daunting task, primarily because of its intangible nature. Here are some of these challenges associated with uncovering tacit knowledge:
1. Difficulty in Capturing Knowledge: Tacit knowledge is deeply personal and often context-specific, making it a challenge to codify and share. While explicit knowledge can be neatly documented, tacit knowledge remains elusive and tricky to capture.
2. Inability to Share Tacit Knowledge: By definition, tacit knowledge resides in the unconscious and doesn’t readily surface in conscious thought. This makes the knowledge transfer very difficult.
3. Obstacles to Diffusion: Tacit knowledge struggles to permeate within organizations. It’s a product of individual processes, including experience and talent, making it resistant to easy coding and management as explicit knowledge. Relying solely on personal tacit knowledge can be risky.
4. Perception, Language, Time, Value, and Distance: A myriad of difficulties surrounds the sharing of tacit knowledge, including issues related to perception, language barriers, time constraints, differing values, and geographical distances.
Despite these challenges, the pursuit of uncovering tacit knowledge holds immense significance. It serves as a catalyst for enhancing decision-making and problem-solving, fostering creativity and innovation, enriching personal and professional growth, and complementing explicit knowledge.
Transferring Tacit Knowledge into Explicit Knowledge
Converting tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge requires a way of translating the inexpressible. Here are some methods that can be used to capture tacit knowledge in the workplace.
Codification
Codification involves transforming tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge that can be documented and shared. This can involve creating standard operating procedures, checklists, or guidelines that outline the steps involved in a particular task or process.
Interviews and observation
Interviews and observation can be used to identify and capture tacit knowledge. By asking employees about their experiences and observing their work processes, organizations can gain insights into their tacit knowledge.
Job shadowing and workshops
Job shadowing and workshops can be used to transfer tacit knowledge from experienced employees to new hires. By observing and working alongside experienced employees, new hires can learn from their tacit knowledge.
Storytelling and visualization
Storytelling and visualization can be used to externalize tacit knowledge. By using metaphors, analogies, and other technique, tacit knowledge can be transferred and shared with others.
Expert systems
Expert systems can be used to capture and codify tacit knowledge. By using artificial intelligence and machine learning, expert systems can learn from experienced employees and provide insights and recommendations based on their tacit knowledge.
Overall, these methods can be used to convert tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge that can be easily shared and applied. By recognizing the importance of tacit knowledge, individuals and organizations can leverage it to gain a competitive advantage and drive innovation.
How to recognize and identify your own tacit knowledge?
Recognizing and identifying your own tacit knowledge can be challenging, but it is essential for personal and professional success. Here are some effective ways to recognize and identify your own tacit knowledge:
Reflect on your experiences: Reflecting on your experiences can help you identify the insights and expertise that you have gained through practical exposure to a particular subject. This can involve thinking about the challenges you have faced, the decisions you have made, and the outcomes you have achieved.
Seek feedback from others: Seeking feedback from others can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. This can involve asking colleagues, mentors, or friends for their input on your skills and expertise.
Observe your own behavior: Observing your own behavior can help you identify your tacit knowledge. This can involve paying attention to the decisions you make, the actions you take, and the thought processes you use.
Engage in continuous learning: Engaging in continuous learning can help you cultivate and expand your tacit knowledge. This can involve taking on new challenges, seeking out mentorship, and pursuing new learning opportunities.
Overall, recognizing and identifying your own tacit knowledge involves reflecting on your experiences, seeking feedback from others, observing your own behavior, and engaging in continuous learning. By recognizing the importance of tacit knowledge, individuals can leverage it to gain a competitive advantage and drive innovation.