What Does Tacit Knowledge Mean?

Tacit knowledge refers to the insights and expertise acquired through personal experience rather than through formal education or written instruction. This type of knowledge is often difficult to articulate or share, as it encompasses personal wisdom, intuition, and experiential learning. A classic example is the ability to ride a bicycle, which is predominantly learned through practice rather than books.

How Can Teams Achieve Autonomy?

To foster autonomous teams, organizations need individuals who have firsthand experience within such teams and managers who understand how to lead them. Typically, a new member joins an established autonomous team, where they learn about autonomy through direct involvement. This creates a challenge for organizations lacking prior experience in autonomy, as they may struggle to build effective autonomous teams.

The Origin of This Misunderstanding

Much of the confusion can be traced back to Henrik Kniberg's widely viewed Spotify videos. Many viewers misconstrue the Spotify model—characterized by squads and guilds—as a guaranteed pathway to achieving autonomy, whereas this structure is merely supportive of autonomy, not a replacement for the skill itself. Consequently, organizations that adopt this model often find themselves disappointed and facing setbacks.

A More Effective Approach: Responsible Teams

The concept of “responsible teams” is discussed in the book Leading Beyond Change. The text highlights a significant issue with rapid power sharing during organizational changes. It warns that distributing too much power too quickly can lead to conflict, as leaders may not be ready to relinquish control, and team members may lack the skills to wield their newfound power effectively. This well-meaning approach can inadvertently cause psychological distress for everyone involved.

For further exploration of responsible teams, check out this insightful blog post.

Next Steps for Organizations

Before considering a reorganization, it's crucial to refrain from restructuring solely for the sake of boosting autonomy. Instead, organizations should focus on developing responsible teams that can navigate the complexities of autonomy effectively.

The first video, "Essential Skills for Autonomous Teams," delves into the vital skills required to create and sustain autonomous teams, emphasizing the importance of both individual and collective responsibility.

The second video, "How to Build a Team that Runs Itself," discusses strategies for cultivating self-sufficient teams that can operate autonomously while maintaining accountability and direction.