"Habits of Mind is knowing how to behave intelligently when you DON'T know the answer. It means having a disposition toward behaving intelligently when confronted with problems, the answers to which are not immediately known: dichotomies, dilemmas, enigmas and uncertainties." (Costa)
16 HABITS of MIND
 |
| Persistence |
 |
| Managing Impulsivity |
 |
| Listening Empathy Understanding |
 |
| Thinking Flexibly |
 |
| Metacognition Thinking about Your Thinking |
 |
| Striving for Accuracy |
 |
| Applying Past Knowledge |
 |
| Questioning/ Posing Problems |
 |
| Thinking/ Communicating with Clarity |
Friedman's (2007) illustration of the impact of technology on knowledge management through an taxonomy of three
levels, Triple Convergence, depicts a rationalization of the
internet and web tools on the functionality of the global community. Friedman’s categorization – Convergence I,
Convergence II and Convergence III - emphasizes how the revolution of technology
has influenced the way society as a whole acquire, justify, disseminate, and transfer
information - the essence of knowledge.
In Friedman’s Triple Convergence analysis, the emphasis that knowledge
management in the twenty first century is driven by technological mediums is valid to a certain degree. Like it or not, technology has changed how businesses operate. The Triple Level Convergence is closely aligned with the infancy of technology to present day advance development of technological devices and the usage of these instruments. There is little denying that the internet and technological tools have necessitated a technological social retrieval and sharing of information.
 |
| Gathering Data Through All Senses |
 |
| Creating/ Imaging/Innovating |
The role of leaders is to continuously recognize that knowledge is attained and shared by allowing individuals to constantly experience the habits of mind. The web alone cannot serve this greater purpose. When I examine the methods my organization uses to structure knowledge management , the framework moves beyond a web base focus. As an educational institution, my organization uses a variety of approaches to construct knowledge management. With a concentration on distributive leadership, this strategy formulates the development of a consortium of small teams. Guided by identifiable goals and outcomes, these teams have both an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary dynamic. By getting the right people at the table, I have learned that the resolution to many of the complex problems we face rest within the team. In other words, by intentionally forming small teams thus fostering the habits of mind, together we can solve unique problems, and deliberately determine the role of technology in the larger scheme of accomplishing resolve.
 |
| Responding with Wonderment & Awe |
When I reflect
on my early years as a teacher, there were few opportunities to attend seminars, workshops or skill building training.
We often met in small grade level or content specific teams. Our discussions were centered on sharing
academic and behavior techniques and strategies that were working in our
classrooms. In essence, we
were demonstrating our professional capacities and sharing it with others to
enhance theirs as well. This occurred in
a professional format, but social none the less. Ironically, today, we call this format Professional
Learning Communities (PLC) and individuals are publishing books and making a
financial living off of a component many teachers utilized 15 years
ago. Knowledge management teaches us that the wheel is seldom invented but often recycled.
 |
| Taking Responsible Risk |
Dixon
(2009) mentioned the 80/20 rule in knowledge management. Leaders have to make an effort to move beyond
using the internet and technological tools to build a robust approach to knowledge
management by intentionally forming interdisciplinary learning
communities. Often the answers to many
of the challenges we face rest within us.
Sometimes we undermine our own capabilities by relying too much on
what’s in cyber space. In the workplace innovators, creators and ingenuity are all around us. At times it takes a small group of people to help individuals realize the power of their own mind. Leaders should seek to recognize the strengths of each member of the team. This knowledge can assist with developing appropriate teams for tackling real problems. This, too, has everything to do with a leader managing knowledge.
 |
| Finding Humor |
As educators we
rely on software and web programs to assist with supporting skill sets and providing enrichment
activities to students. In small teams, we discuss best web sites to use. In addition, we want to articulate why we selected the web site; what outcomes do we wish to see by selecting this site; and/or will the tool assist with increasing student engagement in learning. As a result, technology is used strategically and does not serve as the ultimate source for teaching and learning. Simply using a whole butch of tools will not help
knowledge management or advance it. Leaders should strive to identify why and how the web or technological tool will strengthen or augment the company's vision, mission and/or goals. If this element is missing, we are no closer to reaching our goal then when the tool was not available.
 |
| Thinking Interdependently |
Habits of Mind is geared toward strengthening our intellectual capacity. The web and technological tools certainly have a role in knowledge management. However as most things in life, it is a matter of perception. We often ask the question; Is the glass half
empty or half-full? If we perceive the web and advancement in technology as where we should be with knowledge management then we are more likely to integrate these tools or at least find opportunities to do so. The question maybe is it needed? Are we being swayed by professional peer pressure? If everyone else is doing it then perhaps I should do it as well? Leaders should ensure that the web is being used in a matter to achieve organizational goals.
 |
| Remaining Open to Continuous Learning |
Technology
cannot replace leaders. The use of technology is a
reflection of leadership. It is a
demonstration of human capabilities. In the end, absent the existence of humans technology does not
work. Thus leaders not the web nor technological tools should guide knowledge management.
