David Gurteen - Shares the Stories of Others @ KMWorld

David Gurteen, How do we make People do Things? David is fundamentally about creating face to face environments where for dialogue. Sometimes when you hear someone for the first time you immediately identify with them. Let’s just say David is very easy to listen to. He’s clearly open and it’s no wonder he’s been so successful with Knowledge Cafe’s. He’s had some great quotes. The first one who is sharing though other people’s stories and comments. This is perfect for his topic.

Story: Henley KM Forums. A young woman asked. Bob we have just created a KM system but no one will use it? How do we make them use it? The audience … you need to reward them, air miles, competitions, incentives them to use the system. I wasn’t convineed. To waht extext did you involve them in the conceptualization, design, rollout etc. Answer We didn’t involve them at all. We thought of doing that but mgmt wanted it yesterday. So people choose not to use it. So I rethought about how people share?

The general question. Should we reward the knowledge sharing activity. Alfie Kohn referenced. See also his data on “Punished by Rewards”. These are some of the points made:

• do this an you will get that. vs do this and this is what will happen to you.
• rewards where the more desirable the reward the more demoralizing it is to miss out.
• reward missed when people don’t get the reward they had helped for they feel punished.
• rewards rupture relations and tend to destroy cooperation.
• rewards tend to blindly promote a single solution.
• reward deter risktaking, and destroy creativity
• reward can undermine interests. loving what you do is a far more powerful motivator than money.
• rewards are controlling. people can feel like their work is no longer freely choosen.

How do we make them use it? How do we instigate change? How do you encourage changes in behaviors? Fundamentally it is hard to get change.. but that is what we are doing. “Make sharing part of your job”. Give them access!

David set up a group session on tables to discuss: How do we make people share? How do we make people use a new KM system? How do we make people do anything? And what role should rewards play?

Stirred two quick thoughts in me. 1)Share the stories of others… is a wonderful modelling… sharing wants to be free… a little like information… and it will then come back to you. David does this perfectly. Then second aid them in self-discovery!