Our
job as knowledge workers and facilitators is to make it easy for
the participants to concentrate all their attention and energies
on a complex set of challenges, problems and decisions. We are
placing them in a highly interactive and creative environment,
removing all distractions and barriers to creativity, challenging
them to think "outside the box", and driving them towards
emerging conclusions.
tips
to being a knowledge worker:
- Understand
that this will be an intense experience for you and the participants.
- Be
aware of the time requirements for the event's KreW. Knowledge
workers might arrive 90 minutes before participants on event
days and may stay 60 to 90 minutes after participants at the
end of the day. Prior to the event will be a prep day and
after the event one to two post production days. These times
are estimates.
- Be
aware of all the possible roles you might play as part of
the knowledge worker KreW.
- All
work to be done during the event is self-assigned; never assigned
by a boss. This doesn't mean that KreW members don't encourage
each other to stretch and take on greater challenges. A good
KreW will provide cross checks, mutual support and its own
leadership.
- By
stepping up to a role in a NavCenter event a knowledge worker
is agreeing to be responsible for the objectives of that role
and carry the work through to completion.
- New
knowledge workers, explorers, are encourage to bring their
existing talents to the team as well as learn something new.
An explorer is challenged with new things but never left without
the support of more experienced knowledge workers.
- Communicate
consistently with other members of the KreW to keep an understanding
of how your work fits into the big picture. Look
farther than your task. Be cognizant of all that is going
on around you.
- Be
alert to your energy level and take care of yourself. There
is always time for you to take a break when necessary. Connect
with the pf and other members of your team to make sure that
all role requirements are covered and choose an appropriate
time to take your break.
- Be
ready for rapid shifts in what seemed a scheduled agenda.
- There
is no hierarchy or privileged class in the environment.
- You
will be exposed to proprietary information. It must remain
proprietary.
- Be
alert to the underlying "why". Choose an appropriate
moment to ask "why"
- Be
invisible. Avoid things like disruptive noise, side conversations,
running.
- Resist
the temptation to converse with participants. We do not want
to draw their attention away from their work; to do so would
be a disservice to the event Especially do not converse with
participants about how the event is going. The participants
should remain in the the game the entire time. Don't give
them a chance to step to the sidelines.
- Dress
is casual. Be comfortable. Wear comfortable shoes.
- Be
sensitive that you are guest in someone else's environment.
Respect the environment and the tools available for your use.
- KreW
work stations should add energy not distraction to the participant's
experience.
- Every
session is documented in some way. Some combination of this
documentation may be compiled into a journal or work product
for the participants. Be clear on the requirements of your
role in the documentation and in the production of these products.
- Return
your work area to NavCenter standards when your work is completed.
- Complete
all agreed upon tasks and hand off finished work to the proper
team member (pf or other KreW member) before leaving.
- Check
in with pf before leaving the environment at the conclusion
of the event's work.
- Have
fun.
web
source The Transition Manager in Practice: Knowledge Worker Orientation
http://www.mgtaylor.com/mgtaylor/jotm/fall96/knworori.htm
Navigation Centers: Creating a Framework for Success Through Rules
of Engagement http://www.mgtaylor.com/mgtaylor/jotm/spring97/rulesofeng.htm
