What would you do if one or more of your
key leaders suddenly decided to leave? Do you have a process to
capture the important information that is 'in their head'???
Introducing Knowledge Management for Senior Leaders
- It is a process that:
- Identifies, captures and transfers critical knowledge
and experience of senior leaders who are transitioning
roles, or leaving the company
- Ensures protection of Intellectual Capital and of business
continuity by transferring the knowledge and key relationships
to their successor, their team and others
- Utilizes change as an opportunity for accelerated organizational
learning and sustained performance
Typical Senior Leader situations where Knowledge Management
assures a high ROI :
- Where unique expert knowledge / know-how has been accumulated
by a person in transition
- When key leaders are transitioning roles, retiring or
leaving
- Where unique product or project development knowledge
is held by someone in transition
- During reorganization of a team or function
Knowledge transfer between Senior Leaders is best done
as a respectful, somewhat intimate conversation among
colleagues and peers. The focus is on contextual understanding
and experience that is not codified, such as: history, rationale
and organizational / relational background of key decisions and
strategies; key lessons learned on the way; implications and potential
impact on the company in the future, and short-and long-term critical
issues. A dialogue between two or more leaders will result
in an increased understanding of business critical operations,
assets, strategies, decisions and issues.
Knowledge transfer starts with a prioritized list of issues
or topics. Asking the right questions in these topic areas
allows you to surface assumptions and uncover the rationale
behind actions and decisions.
The topic areas for Senior Leader Transitions include:
- Functional / Operational Leadership of the Department
or Group
- Strategic Direction and Vision
- Managing External Stakeholders and Issues
- Managerial Judgment, Decision-Making and Leadership Style
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