Posted by Yogesh Malhotra on December 19, 1997 at 17:43:24:

In Reply to: Trust is posted by Denham on December 18, 1997 at 23:36:19:

One of the examples from earlier postings, that approximates the desirable strategy suggested in my earlier post is the following post by Denham:

Audits

Hence, one more issue to add to the earlier 'dialog' on the issue of trust is about distinguishing the 'identities' from the 'ideas.'

One needs to isolate the 'ideas' from the 'identities' of the individuals in any knowledge-creating community. Any specific instance of a not-so-good idea may not necessarily [and almost never, I hope...] generalize to the 'identity' behind the 'idea'. If at all, one wants to generalize about the 'identity,' one may need to look at other 'ideas' generated by the 'identity.' However, one still cannot assume that previous not-so-good ideas imply future not-so-good ideas. Often, a 'good' idea may be a 'not-so-good' idea whose time has finally come.

Therefore the issue of suspension of judgment about the 'identity' is important. However, for maintaining the convergence and divergence of views, such suspension of judgment _about ideas_ in long-term may result in very stereotypical, regimented and homogenous views since 'group think' may get encouraged over innovation and creativity.

That is one reason why many CSCW (Computer Supported Collaborative Work) systems go to lengths to ensure the anonymity of the participants. However, one possible limitation with such solutions (as noted by Manville in his Datamation KM article) is that they may not necessarily materialize into cooperative collaboration because members do not get any credit for good ideas. I think, a better way of sustaining such culture is to isolate the 'identities' from the 'ideas,' since that allows for criticism of _ideas_ without inflicting any kinds of blames on the _identity_. It also provides for giving due credit for 'good' ideas to the individuals behind them.

Some organizations, including the 'new' IBM research division, have implemented such processes in which occasional 'failures' may be seen as necessary 'stepping stones' in learning process toward 'success.' On the topic of isolating the judgment about the 'identity' and focusing on the 'specific issue' at hand, one may like to peruse the bestseller by Ken Blanchard, One Minute Manager.

-- Yogesh Malhotra

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