Sharing Knowledge is Power

I’m sure most have grown up with the idea that knowledge is power.  To some level it is – and to learn and grow in knowledge is a powerful attribute that could provide you a competitive edge on your next job interview or ability to get to the market first.  I get it. 

In today’s workplace, the words of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), collaboration, and trust resonate loud and clear, and yet, during my career found so many are still living under the idea knowledge is power.  Why are people reluctant to share information?  Are they afraid somebody smarter than them will appear?  Are they concerned somebody else may be more qualified for the task or job?  Are they worried they may not have the competitive advantage they believed?  Are they worried knowing will mean more work assigned to them?

In my own experience, many of those reasons exist, and probably others that were not as apparent to me.  Often, I saw the hoarding of information every day in the workplace.  Early in my career, it was shared with me that if you share all the knowledge you have about your task or job (within reason of any confidential or proprietary aspects), then you can free yourself to learn more, free yourself to move to other opportunities and free to help others learn.  That, in my opinion, is the real power that exists. 

Imagine a workplace where sharing knowledge is a positive attribute.  Imagine a workplace where sharing knowledge would help create a level playing field for the people who are on the task or project. Imagine a workplace where information is shared with people who are upstream or downstream impact. Imagine a workplace where information sharing is encouraged and looks to promote DEI, collaboration, and trust. 

I know I can’t change others’  behaviors. I can only try to be an example of the type of work environment I would like to see.  I can only share information with people and let them decide if they need it or not.  I can’t change the idea that knowledge is power.  I can only demonstrate that sharing knowledge is where the real power lies.

What is something you can do to share knowledge to uplift one another?  I’d love to hear your ideas!