What's a knowledge worker?

The phrase "knowledge worker" was introduced by Peter Drucker over thirty years ago to describe someone who provides value by creating new information which then can be used to define and solve problems.

Why should you care?

Anyone who wants to excel in his/her career or who wants to outshine the competition needs to be a knowledge worker.

I was prompted to write about this concept because it struck me that while there's an overload of information available, most people feel lost as to where to find the best information and how to translate it.

So, how do you become a Knowledge Worker?

By using your intellect to turn your ideas into processes, services or products.

You can become a worker who "sources between his/her ears” by translating information into a user-friendlier format, by defining and solving problems, and by adding deeper understanding and knowledge to already existing information.

And because knowledge has such a limited shelf life, the gathering, translating and applying of knowledge becomes an even more critical career skill.

A Key for Job Seekers too!

One of the key qualities that employers seek is intellectual curiosity. This is another way of underscoring the importance of refining your thought processes and being a knowledge worker.

Job candidates who exhibit intellectual curiosity have the edge because of the time saving and/or profit-enhancing methods they typically invent. These employees are inherently less of a drain on management resources.

How do you learn to source between your ears and become a Knowledge Worker?

Here's how:

*By seeking out experts in your field

*By building a community of peers and associates who can provide a wellspring of inspiration and a testing ground for nascent ideas

*By having conversations that raise the level of discourse and expand the reach

*By attending professional conferences

*By reading journals, books and other knowledge sources

Here are recent client examples showing how being a knowledge worker has paid off:

One client raised her profile with her employer by being the expert on how to pitch a story to a specific media outlet. She knew who to call and what to say. No one else had this knowledge.

Another client used his formidable knowledge of competitive market intelligence to pitch a new employer. The prospective employer was so impressed that they want to create a job for him.

A third client was promoted because of his continuing efforts to streamline a new paint process that had major startup glitches. He persevered, mastered the new equipment and installed fail safe procedures that earned him recognition from the Plant Manager and VP of Manufacturing.

Few employers could argue with the benefits of employing knowledge workers: efficiency, effectiveness and innovation.

My advice?

Set yourself apart by becoming a knowledge worker. The time you spend in self- development and deepening your knowledge in your area of expertise can be as valuable as an advanced degree.