Steve--
responding, with a bit of tongue in cheek, I must admit that I'm aghast at
the idea that a knowledge society would be ungovernable. just imagine,
anal-retentive bureaucratic legislating know-it-alls not being able to
tell little ole knowledge workers what to do, when and how! 'cause if
they do, the knowledge workers will jes pack up their bags and go to some
other place where anal-retentive bureaucratic legislating know-it-alls
don't get hired!
on a more serious note, Steve, the point (I believe) is that knowledge
workers aren't managed in a knowledge society/workplace. Instead,
processes are "managed." Workers are hired for their technical skills,
knowledge, professionalism, interpersonal skills, etc., and are fired (or
whatever euphemism is appropriate) when their skill levels aren't adequate
or when the work is no longer available. People (managers) who still want
to "manage" people in this environment will find themselves out of place.
Now, there's still quite a walk to walk before we see every organization
(or even a lot of them) get into this mode.
I think that there still will be lots of room for coaching, mentoring,
training, teaching, and organizational/process managing.
Doc
-- "When you lose the rhythm of the drumbeat of God, you are lost from the peace and rhythm of life." -Cheyenne sayingThresholds--developing critical skills for living organizations Richard C. "Doc" Holloway Olympia, WA ICQ# 10849650 Please visit our new website, still at <http://www.thresholds.com/> <mailto:learnshops@thresholds.com>
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