Core competencies help set an organization apart. They give you a competitive edge and are what differentiate you from other companies in your industry. 

Some popular core competencies include things like adaptability, teamwork, and leadership. But have you heard of knowledge sharing as a core competency? 

Knowledge sharing is an often overlooked key to success, but it’s so critical. How are your employees supposed to get things done right if they don’t have easy access to the information they need? 

In this article, we’ll cover: 

• The importance of knowledge sharing
• Organizations that embrace knowledge sharing 
• The top benefits of knowledge sharing 
• The top barriers to knowledge sharing 
• Strategies for building a knowledge sharing culture 

Why a knowledge sharing culture is so important

Coveo’s 2023 Workplace Relevancy Report sheds light on why knowledge sharing and knowledge access are so crucial for success. Here’s what they found: 

⏱ Workers estimate that they spend 3 hours a day searching for information. 

When employees don’t support each other with the information they need, they’ll spend more time searching for it. And time is money — so this isn’t a problem to take lightly. 

😩 89% of respondents are upset when they can’t find the right information. 

If your company is full of frustrated employees who can’t find what they need, your culture will suffer — and you may ultimately lose these employees. 

👩🏽‍💻Gen Z struggles to find information more than their coworkers.

As more and more Gen Z employees enter the workforce, companies will need to prioritize knowledge management to help these employees succeed. 

Organizations that embrace knowledge sharing as a core competency

Certain companies have set the bar when implementing knowledge sharing as a core competency. 

Atlassian – “Open company, no bullshit.” 

Atlassian aims to have information flow openly within the organization, and sharing is a guiding principle. They understand that speaking up takes intelligence, consideration, and empathy, and it fuels their success.

Automattic – “I will never pass up an opportunity to help out a colleague.”

Another trailblazer in this arena is Automattic. Automattic promotes knowledge sharing and a philosophy that underscores the importance of clear communication. It’s about seizing every chance to lend a hand and share insights.

These companies aren’t just talking the talk; they’re walking it. The success stems from fostering a culture where sharing knowledge isn’t just encouraged; it’s expected.

The benefits of knowledge sharing

Knowledge sharing in organizations increases productivity and can create a noticeably positive ripple effect. Here are some of the main benefits: 

Sharper problem-solving and swift decision-making

When insights are shared openly, problems get solved faster and decisions are easier. Instead of wasting hours a day trying to find information, employees are empowered by their coworkers to get their work done efficiently. Information-rich discussions empower teams to brainstorm, analyze, and resolve issues quickly. 

Employee engagement and growth

In a culture of knowledge and feedback sharing, employees are more than workers, they’re core contributors. Employees are more likely to stay committed when they’re valued. This sense of involvement fuels job satisfaction as well, making them more likely to stick around.

The best way to share knowledge within an organization isn’t just exchanging facts; it’s about nurturing a culture of continuous improvement, where problems are tackled head-on, decisions are made with clarity, and employees flourish in an environment that values their growth.

Top barriers to knowledge sharing as a core competency

To fully embrace knowledge sharing as a core competency, let’s start by tackling our obstacles first.

Departmental silos

Picture your organization like a hedge maze. Silos are that walls that separate different paths and sections, making it difficult to see where you need to go. These barriers keep employees from sharing knowledge with team members in different departments.

Lack of motivation

Sometimes, the desire to share knowledge needs a little spark. Without the right motivation, employees may hoard their insights, fearing that sharing might not benefit them personally.

Absence of proper tools

Imagine trying to build a house without the right tools. Similarly, without the proper platforms and tools for sharing, knowledge remains locked within individual minds or scattered across various systems.

Knowledge sharing best practices and strategies

Fostering a culture that promotes transferring knowledge requires thoughtful knowledge sharing tools and techniques. Here are additional steps to take and ideas for knowledge sharing activities:

Get leadership support and recognition

When top executives actively share knowledge, it sets the tone for company culture. Recognize and celebrate those who contribute to collective knowledge, reinforcing its value. 

Pro tip: Use a tool like GoProfiles to easy recognize coworkers who’ve gone above and beyond to share important information. 

Use incentives that inspire

Consider rewarding employees as an incentive for knowledge sharing in the workplace. These incentives can be tangible, like bonuses, or intangible, like career growth opportunities.

Provide a platform for knowledge sharing

Here at GoLinks, we have a bi-weekly knowledge sharing session called “Demos and Drinks.” At the end of this meeting, employees have the opportunity to share cool projects and interesting finding with the whole company. This gives them a platform to share information in real-time with coworkers. 

Implement tools for easy knowledge sharing 

Have you ever needed to share a resource during a meeting but you couldn’t find the link? 

🙋🏻‍♀️ We’ve been there. 

It can be incredibly frustrating to have to hunt down a link and then copy and paste it into the chat during a meeting. But it can also be hard to remember to send the link after the meeting. 

Have you ever been in the car when a coworker needed the link to a resource from you? 

🙋🏻‍♀️ We’ve also been there. 

Typically, it’s hard to share company resources from your phone. So your coworker will have to wait until you’re at your computer before they can get what they need. 

Having the right tools to swiftly share information (anytime, anywhere) can make all the difference, and GoLinks is changing the game. Go links are shortened, customized URLs that seamlessly redirect users to shared documents, resources, or information. 

So the next time you need to share a resource during a meeting, you can just share it verbally. And the next time someone needs a resource when you’re away from your computer, you can recall the go link by memory and send it without copying a link. 

Host training programs 

When you implement new knowledge management strategies or tools like GoLinks, make sure to train team members on how these work. Maybe you host a lunch-and-learn or have team leads train during team meetings. 

These initiatives help employees understand the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of workplace knowledge sharing, share ideas and examples, and make them more confident participants in your knowledge management system.

Look into generative AI for knowledge preservation

If your company wants to keep workplace knowledge intact, then you should look into GenAI. AI can capture, store, and generate knowledge, ensuring valuable insights are preserved and accessible. GoLinksGPT, for example, answers any query and delivers instant, AI recommendations to relevant internal resources.

Improve knowledge sharing with GoLinks

A knowledge sharing culture isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have for improved problem-solving, faster decision-making, enhanced development, and much more. It’s not just a strategy; it’s your roadmap to success.

If you’re ready to promote this within your organization, GoLinks can help you make information easily accessible and shareable. Say goodbye to long, frustrating URLs and hello to streamlined workflows! Try it for free at www.golinks.com.