So what do these two similar quotations mean for us in today's business world one might ask? Clearly, we have moved from an agriculture era through the industrial era to what can now be identified as the knowledge era.  The amount of information, that is knowledge, multiplies faster today than it did even a short ten or even five years ago.

For most of us, ten years ago if we wanted to purchase supplies for our business or even goods to sell, we consulted a paper catalogue.  We selected the item and quantity we wanted or needed.  Orders were primarily placed by phone.  For most of us, a sales person who called by on a regular basis picked up our order.  Today, we simply log onto the computer, search for the product, place and pay for the order within a matter of minutes.

Perhaps your business was smaller in those days and everyone knew what each other did and how it was done.  In many instances, people may even have covered more than one responsibility.

The issue of knowledge of how the business of today is organized and conducted is considered to be a saleable commodity.  However, few people recognize that knowledge shared grows.  As a leader, the more people you have that know how to do the day to day functions, the more time you have to work on and not in your business.

Look around your organization.  If you or any of your senior leadership team were required to be away from the business for an extended period of time;

a) Would your business continue to operate just as if that leader were there?

b) Would clients recognize a decrease in service quality?

c) Would your business still be there for you to come back to after an extended absence?

If the answer to any or all of these questions is YES, then it is clear that you are sharing your knowledge and your leadership team is sharing knowledge amount themselves.  You are no doubt sharing knowledge.

Should the answer to all questions be NO, there is a good chance that you are employing a closed style of leadership.  Information is being kept by individuals to make themselves indispensable.  This may appear to be a good thing in the short run, but if you wish your business to survive in the long run, now is the time to figure out a way of sharing the knowledge your leadership team has.

© 2008 The Newman Learning Group Inc.