The Benefit of Knowledge Transfer to Others
Much is written about the challenges of knowledge transfer and change management within and amongst organizations.
This article shares how a simple visual process can demonstrate something extremely powerful.
Recently, we observed a ceremony that had some very special and specific meaning. It connected dots to some recent client innovation training experiences. Aaron, one of our co-founders, was awarded his black belt in Tae Kwon Do, at the age of 13. This observation ties back to our strategic mission to Make Things. Make Things Better. Teach Others.
If you know someone that studies martial arts, you recognize that there is deep meaning in the whole process of getting to black belt. In Aaron’s experience, 3-1/2 years of patience, persistence, and perseverance to reach a goal. With much frustration, failure and pivots being necessary along the way.
Knowledge Transfer and a Symbolic Process Demonstrating Growth
After the testing and forms (kata) were completed, and score tally sheets in, we observed the traditional ceremony. It takes place between the master and the student in front of the entire class. In the completion of the ceremony, as the student is instructed, he or she removes the previous colored belt, setting it beside themselves on the floor.
The Master Black Belt then demonstrates something very powerful symbolizing knowledge transfer to the student. The Master ties a brand new black belt around their waist. He or she ensures they make contact with their own belt when they do this. The master unties the belt, then immediately ties it on the student. All done in complete silence.
The simple act of this ceremony, represents a catalyst event and change management process for the two people that participate. It’s also transformative for those that are lucky enough to observe. The process dignifies knowledge transfer from the master instructor to the student.
The knowledge transfer links the student to the master teacher. Linked by what they have learned together. It’s a classic and visceral knowledge transfer that you can feel when you watch it. The student and master are now equals by color of their belt. Visually they are equal. Yes, the master may have a higher degree ranking and has studied longer. A visible change has occurred and now both student and master teacher are equals in the eyes of the community.
Job well done to the student. Mission accomplished. A specific and measurable goal achieved. With benefit of rank over his peers. Now anyone, regardless of age, must refer to him as Mr. Washington if of a lower belt rank. With the learning completed, and wearing the newly minted black belt, it is finished. All done. There is nothing more to do. It’s awesome and humbling at the same time.
Knowledge Transfer is the First Signal – The Reality is, Nice Job so Far
After 3 1/2 years of study, the student is now ready to begin the real learning of martial arts. The student can now begin teaching others.
It is a similar process with the Innovation and Growth Mindset Systems education programs we deliver. We strive for that same knowledge transfer process to manifest. The Innovation and Growth Mindset student has studied deep content on many skills related to innovation. They have persevered, cycled learnings, failed hundreds of times, and pivoted as needed. Yet, they continue to work diligently to complete the goal in front of them.
As the students move through their innovation education, the progress we see is similar. As the students move through their innovation education, the progress we see is similar. We see a flip of mindset that enables the knowledge transfer. The student understands how they can apply the tools and learnings.
First, on the inner work of leading themselves. Then building their confidence with repetition. After that, applying the learnings to the outer work of their business to move and support the company forward. Progressing each day in small steps.
We’ve witnessed this transition and beginning of this knowledge transfer with some brave and forward thinking clients. Now it’s time to make it real and teach others in their organization. We’ve watched clients first black belt candidates conduct education sessions with their own members of their internal team. Here our team is know in ride-along mode. In these sessions, its obvious how the students will use what they learned and make things better for their teams and companies.
As an observer, it’s a blend of two emotions. It’s a tension you can best describe as Joyful-Sadness. Joyful because you see the gains in thinking styles and the loss of fear in trying something new. Sadness in that you recognize that they will not need the close in support and help they did in the beginning. You recognize that, as the “master” teacher, your student will most likely surpass you in what they know.
Which by the way, is exactly what you set out to do when we started. It’s an awesome thing to watch and, very humbling at the same time.
You see the student accelerate beyond initial skills and building their own internal capabilities. Now, just as the black belts in the dojo, we are tied together with our students in a common knowledge base and approach for Innovation and Long Term Growth.
In the most collaborative and positive environments, we learn just as much from our clients as we teach to them. We become tied together with meaningful and unique skills, which can be used to solve just about anything.
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