Knowledge is Power... So, Keep Your Mouth Closed To Keep It From Getting Away!
Did you ever wonder why it sometimes seems that communications is lacking within an organization or corporate culture? It is one of those frustrating situations that appear to put a halt to positive productivity. You meander around trying to gather hacked information that you feel is important, yet the one person that should know the whole story "doesn't know a thing." Then, at the last minute, the entire world shifts, and the one person that "didn't know" comes out of the shadows and becomes the hero because they knew the answer.
One of the reasons for such lack of information is "power." It is the ability to hold something back from someone and use that hidden knowledge to perform an action or create an imbalance to accomplish a task. If someone knows something and doesn't tell you the whole story, two of the more common reasons are: Need to Know and Power Plays.
---Need to Know---
With each individual corporate entity comes a corporate vision and a mission. The visions of Corporate America are to make money, survive, and advance technology, healthcare, etc. This vision and mission then trickles down the ranks of the individual corporations and is pieced out and delegated to each subordinate level. Each individual person contributes by becoming involved in one or more of these visions. In most cases, one person won't know the "big picture"; however, they do know that their piece of the pie will help to move the company toward it ultimate vision.
The job of a manager is to take a piece of this overall corporate vision and mission and develop a vision for his group and a mission for his subordinates. This manager breaks his part of the mission into feasible projects that, upon completion, bring the department, group, and company closer to its vision. The only person that usually knows the whole picture is your manager. Above him, only his manager knows the whole picture for his subordinate managers. This, until it ripples back up to the macro-vision of Corporate America.
All of this, just to explain a simple idea? But, it is essential to know why you're rarely given a larger picture of the piece that you happen to be working on. Three of the more important reasons are security, control, and focus.
* Security: If you know the whole picture, then you could potentially take off and do the same thing somewhere else. By only knowing a small piece of the whole puzzle, the company is less concerned that you would jeopardize their market advantage.
* Control: If you know the whole picture, then why would you need a manager? Somewhere in there, a manager must exist to ensure that everything that his subordinates are doing is directed toward a particular objective. Things have to get done and pieces have to fit together. In the middle, your manager knows everything that is important to your group and department and is able to control the individuals in the group by being the central point of contact for information.
* Focus: By knowing too much, managers are concerned that you might lose focus on your own piece of the puzzle. I've seen subordinates who knew everything about everything and they were so busy critiquing and mingling in worlds not pertaining to their work that they never completed anything that was assigned to them. It is essential to maintain focus on your specific objectives to complete your part of your group's mission successfully.
--- Power Plays ---
Power comes from the approach that your peer or superior will not provide a piece of information that is important to you or your job. In this way, it seems that they can use that lack of information to prod you into either looking for yourself or use it to maintain a submissive stance on your part such that "they have all the answers." In this situation, acknowledge that your manager or peer does have all the answers and allow them the opportunity to "impart some of their knowledge" upon you. In this manner, they are able to exert their power while you are able to pick the necessary information out of their ramblings.
Another reason for this approach is to create an imbalance to move a situation in a specified direction. By not providing a piece of information, the manager is creating a vacuum that you must fill. You can accomplish this by examining the missing information and defining or locating the missing piece. Another term for this approach is "delegation."
Realize also that it is not the manager's job to have all of the answers. They are in their position to determine and direct. You are there to define and resolve to achieve the necessary results. In most cases, whether you realize it or not, you are the one with the answers!
--- Peer Power ---
With regard to peers, an individual will sometimes provide disinformation, or lack of information, so that they can act on the information, as opposed to telling others and end up losing their footing, or power, because someone else acted on the information. In this case, you have two options. You can compliment them and allow them the opportunity to exert their power as you extract the information you need from their knowledge. Alternatively, you can find your own answers by searching for the answer through research, the gossip tree, or by asking other peers or your manager. In some cases, your manager will usually refer you back to the one who won't talk since they have "all the answers."
Don't get frustrated in this situation as your peers are working toward objectives just as you. Simply go back to that peer and confront them for the information you need. However, verify the information before you use it, as it could very well be misleading.
---What's next? ---
It is important to realize that, in most cases, the reason for lack of communications is not a personal issue against you. It is a professional issue used to obtain and maintain power and control. If you can learn how to manage yourself and your work within the confines of a given "information play," then you can conquer one of most confusing conundrums of the corporate culture.
Lack of information doesn't necessarily mean "lack of information." It usually means something else. Perhaps someone is about to be fired, a change is in the offing, an imbalance for forward motion is created, or perhaps there is a turf issue playing. Realize that if you feel that you have little information, look around and see what else is going on around you. You just may have more information available to you than you would want to know.
If you don't know the big picture now, prove that you can first handle the smaller pieces and then, as your prove your ability to handle the responsibility, you will eventually be privy to a larger view. At that point, you will be the one with the "power of knowledge."
About The Author
Edward B. Toupin is an author, life-strategy coach, counselor, and technical writer living in Las Vegas, NV. Among other things, he authors books and articles on topics ranging from career success through life organization and fulfillment. For more information, e-mail Edward at etoupin@toupin.com or visit his sites at http://www.toupin.com or http://www.make-life-great.com.
 Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:51:10 GMT All is forgiven; McCain returning to Letterman - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - NEW YORK (AP) - David Letterman and Sen. John McCain will get a chance to make up. The Republican presidential candidate is scheduled to appear on Letterman's "Late Show" on Thursday. McCain to Appear on Letterman this Thursday John McCain to Return to David Letterman Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:52:08 GMT As We See It: Elect Obama as next president - San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News - Barack Obama's remarkable rise really does equate with his campaign's theme: "Change you can believe in." In that many Americans today are concerned, even fearful, of what their future holds, Obama has demonstrated time and again that, while he might ... What's the Difference Between Ageism and Other Forms of Bias? Depends. Stop McCain's gambit Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:32:54 GMT Beckett struggles; Sox lose 9-8 in 11-inning slugfest - Boston Herald
Boston Herald - By John Tomase ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The score was 8-8, and the significance of the next run immeasurable. For the Red Sox [team stats] it meant taking a 2-0 American League Championship Series lead back to Boston with ace Jon Lester [stats] ready for ... Video: Tampa Bay Wins Slugfest on Sacrifice Fly Resilient Rays even up ALCS Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:29:59 GMT Calls for change mount at IMF, World Bank meet - Business Mirror
Business Mirror - WASHINGTON—Gone are the mobs in the street. Faced with a global recession, those demanding change from the rulers of the global economy appear to be on the inside as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank hold annual talks. Video: IMF: Timing right for G7 Results from the IMF meeting - just thin gruel Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:32:49 GMT Wall St Week Ahead: For stocks, high anxiety still rules - Reuters
Reuters - By Leah Schnurr NEW YORK (Reuters) - High anxiety on Wall Street won't subside this week as the deepening credit crunch pushes the global economy into recession, and corporate profits increasingly become an afterthought as investors scramble to raise ... Wall Street's 8 brutal days The Crisis Goes From Bad to Worse Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:44:24 GMT US game designer blasts into space with DNA cargo - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AP) - An American computer game designer reached space Sunday, fulfilling a long-deferred childhood dream that began with the flight of his astronaut father. Video: Raw Video: US space tourist begins journey Richard Garriott Reaches Orbit, Can Finally Act Out Plot of Tabula ... Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:41:29 GMT Golden Gate Managers Vote to Build Suicide Net - New York Times
New York Times - By JESSE MCKINLEY SAN FRANCISCO - After decades of debate, and unknown numbers of lost lives, the board that controls the Golden Gate Bridge took a major step toward building a suicide barrier on Friday, voting to erect a net under the span. Bridge directors vote for net to deter suicides Golden Gate Bridge, Soon Suicide Free? Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:37:30 GMT Amazon Associate Feed |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Why Must We Find Truth:Finding truth can be a very... Read More Few people are prepared for the responsibilities and tasks involved... Read More Flow is the quality of ease that can be integrated... Read More Very often when you are talking to people what you... Read More Recognizing your gift of choice is liberating. This means acknowledging... Read More Each relationship combines two individual stories to coauthor a new... Read More Do you have the necessary attributes to be a successful... Read More There was a woman who was in such a hurry... Read More I was working with this guy who wanted to live... Read More Inside each one of us there's a seed of greatness,... Read More "Bad Boys".If you're a woman, you may be saying "hmmm"... Read More We live in a very busy age with many pressures... Read More Many scientific studies have demonstrated the reality of intuition for... Read More Have you been in that "black hole?" That is the... Read More What matters most in life to you? Money, Time, Friends,... Read More In some of my counseling and coaching sessions, my clients... Read More A friendship poem:Choose friends wisely, the portrait they paintIs who... Read More Your mind power makes what you focus on happen. You... Read More Descartes once wrote, "I think, therefore I am!" and 'hidden'... Read More I believe in myself, therefore, I have all that my... Read More In studying wealth, we learn the power of using our... Read More This year (2004), I've completed over 64 seminars. And one... Read More "The only thing it takes 365 days to change is... Read More It's time for the "mainstream" to WAKE UP. The alarm... Read More Imagine that each person on this planet carried with them... Read More
Adsense
websites
Finding Truth
Coping As A Caregiver
Law of Attraction Article: Do You Know About The Power Of Flow?
The Self Appreciation Enhancer
Freedom of Choice -- Learning to Make the Right Choices
14 Relationship Principles to Live A Successful Relationship
Do You Have the Skills to be a Secret Service Agent?
Bad Luck ... Or Blessing In Disguise?
I?ll Believe It When I See It
How to Develop the Genius within You
Women and Bad Boys: What Is The Attraction?
Where Are The Punctuation Points In Your Life?
Business Intuition: Using the HeartMind
The Power of Letting What is Be Okay
Its All About the R Word
Self-Divine-ation: Defining a Divine Future!
True Friends Are Not Dream-Slashers
How To Improve Your Life Instantly!
Do You Want Raspberry, Chocolate Or Vanilla?
Manifesting Your Abundance
Millionaire Mindset: We Become What We Think About
What to Do When Your Spouse or Your Friends are Negative?
Motivation for Life: What Would You Do if You Could Have a Do Over?
WAKE UP and Create Something
Plug in with a Pupose!
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
7 Ways to Drive a Man Wild
It's unbelievable the amount of bad advice there is out... Read More
The Journey to a State Called Authentic
Sometimes when I refer to the Authentic Self, I receive... Read More
God Doesnt Say No...YOU Do!
There are a couple of things you've probably heard said... Read More
Your Life and Prosperity Are In Your Reputation!
"Your good name and your reputation are EVERYTHING! ? Protect... Read More
Self-Esteem: The Foundation of All You Achieve
At its core, your sense of self-esteem or self-worth has... Read More
Creating Your Character is Like an Artist Creating a Sculpture
(excerpted from the Cultivating an Unshakable Character series)Could creating your... Read More
Feng Shui with Style! Working with Your Element Type
When you begin to study feng shui, you quickly realize... Read More
Some Gals Have All the Luck: How to Create Your Own Good Luck
You probably know a few. These gals marry the millionaire.... Read More
What Do You Want Out of Life?
What are you willing to give up in order to... Read More
Achieving Your Highest Potential: The Journey Begins With Self Awareness
We live in a world filled with beliefs, values, and... Read More
How to Be Irresistible to Women
You don't need a guitar, rock-hard abs, or even a... Read More
The Competition Fallacy
So many people falsely think that if they help another,... Read More
Opportunity Knocks 1000 Times
You've heard people say that opportunity only knocks once. I... Read More
How to Create a Thriving Prosperous Life
You only have to look around you at your friends,... Read More
Make Money by Making a Life as Mother Teresa Did
Many people forget business is a way of service. When... Read More
The Law of Attraction - Make it Work For You
The Law of Attraction responds to whatever vibration you are... Read More
The Centre of Creative Powers!
Evolution is nothing but seeking with clarity, demanding clarity at... Read More
Attracting Opportunity -- 10 Tips
You get what you attract ? with your thoughts, words,... Read More
How to Improve Your Love Life with the Power of Feng Shui - Without Spending a Dime!
FENG shui (say "fung shway") is the art of creating... Read More
Change How You Say It, Change Your Attractiveness
Language, whether it's emerging from our mind, our heart, or... Read More
Paradigm Shift
Good Morning! It's the Island outlaw here again. You know... Read More
Self Improvement and Self Growth
Nowadays the terms self-improvement, self-growth and self-help have become popular.... Read More
The Wealth-Receiving Mindset
Here is an exercise for you that will develop what... Read More
6 Great Ways To Improve Your Social Skills
If you are looking for a way to improve your... Read More
Want to Feel Rich? Shop Til You Drop...
Just about everybody gets them...I had them just recently...Yup, I... Read More
Attraction |