Autonomy in Knowledge Work

"Knowledge work requires both autonomy and accountability" Peter F. Drucker

Action: Write a work plan that includes your focus, desired results, and deadline. Submit it to your boss/financier/team/mentor. Peter F. Drucker

I am drawing a bit of a blank on this one, maybe because it is just second nature to me, and I expect to you also. In knowledge work and knowledge leadership, clearly stating ones objectives and then planning to those seems to be a "no brainer". That's not to say that all do this well. By definition no-one else can do this for the accomplished knowledge worker who is hopefully "pushing the envelope".

So, if you are out there knowledge worker friend, and feel like it, look upon me as a mentor and write away. I promise I will look at all plans sent to me, and make helpful commentary if I can.

I will check e-mail at klassen.bruce@yahoo.com for the next couple weeks.

I'll use today's blog to tell the story you have all been waiting for: Of why I love Dr. Drucker. Liking him was not difficult given his intellect, personality and accomplishments. I came to love him for his kindness.

I was invited to speak at one Microsoft's Annual Senior Client Conferences (Management Summit). This one dealt with the CEO radar screen with respect to "the next big things". Even though I am not known as a "futurist", but as a strategy implementer, I had done this sort of thing once or twice before ;-). So, I felt pretty comfortable.

However, the morning of, I found out that I was in the speaking slot right after Peter Drucker himself. Yeah right! Who's going to listen to no-name Klassen after THE Guru has just spoken. I was sweating bullets.

Peter and I got together that morning for a few moments, and we spoke briefly about my topic and some of the underlying facts: "The breakup of the corporation as we know it".

So, Peter speaks on the next three big money makers: Insurance products for baby boomers, Fish farming, and ...I can't remember. He is totally fascinating and has the audience hanging onto every word... no matter how far he circled away from the topic. He concludes, gets up and walks off-stage, but does a "Detective Columbo" just as he is passing the "baton" to me (my hands are sweating profusely). He says: "Oh, by the way, if you thought my topic was important... then hold onto your hats and listen very very carefully to BK, because he is going to tell you some things that will startle you, and which are uncomfortable, and you may have some problems with, but definitely are coming at all of you!" ... I love Peter F. Drucker! Thank you! thank you! thank you! How can you go wrong after that?

Autonomy in knowledge work. I guess the lesson is that if you are going to be the best, you had better become "the expert" in your field, so you can "hold the audience" after a Guru like Drucker speaks. At some time you are going to be "autonomous" on the hot seat, with some real tough people wanting answers to deep questions.