The Dog of War: Reflections on the Journey of aFuture Knowledge Manager

When I was trying to find a starting place for this journal, this image was the first thing that cameto mind. It’s a scan from an issue of a Justice League comic that I’ve had for almost three yearsnow. I always found its wisdom to besoothing, I suppose.

The Dog of War Young, 2002

This semester I’ve been working with the theme of inspiration. I chose this theme last year after speaking with a former HRD 631 student who told me about her learning autobiography and Iknew, immediately, what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it.So, driven by this theme (and a well-timed Christmas present) I’ve been running aroundPortland (and everywhere else I might go) taking pictures and collecting memories for myautobiography.Originally, I had planned on pursuing this theme in the context of what inspires others to learn,to progress, to keep on moving, but this semester has brought to the surface such unexpectedtests and challenges, trials and tribulations, that I’ve opted to change gears and focus onmyself, my own inspiration. I’m concentrating on the places, books, people and things in mysurroundings that inspire me, that give me strength and encouragement, being so far from homeand separated from the family and friends that I usually turn to for support.The need to understand inspiration has become even greater for me after dealing with rejectionupon rejection from consulting firms regarding my program evaluation project. I wasn’t reallyeven mad at having my requests denied so much as having requests denied because I wasn’t aB-School student. The worst of the bunch came from Booz Allen Hamilton’s Dr. Charles Lucier,a senior VP and CKO (Chief Knowledge Officer),

From:

Lucier, Charles

To:

D. Christian Young

Sent:

Thursday, 07 February, 2002 02:29 PM

Subject:

Re: KM ROI EvaluationChristian –As you can imagine, we receive numerous requests like this from students. Wehave evolved a policy of helping only business school faculty and PhD students:there are just too many requests. I’m sorry.

From:

D. Christian Young

To:

Lucier, Charles

Sent:

Thursday, 07 February, 2002 11:35 PM

Subject:

Re: KM ROI EvaluationDear Dr. Lucier:Thank you for taking the time to respond to my request. I too am sorry that I willnot have the chance to work with Booz Allen on my research project. I am alsodisappointed that other academic disciplines are not included in the scope of theresearch projects considered by Booz Allen. When I first considered followingmy study of KM into a College of Education I was concerned about how I wouldbe received by business professionals at the completion of my schoolwork.

The Dog of War Young, 2002

However, what I have learned from first hand comparisons of MBA courses andthe courses in my field are that B-school students often miss out on the holisticstudy of concepts, theories, practices, and philosophies that have a tendency tolead to the same difficulties many organizations continue to deal with, but notresolve.I wish you and your company well and encourage you to revisit this policy, atleast on a case-by-case assessment.

I was angered by the idea that, somehow, being an Education student meant I wasn’t goodenough to evaluate Booz Allen or that it game me less qualification to understand the goings-onof this organization. And, even though I feel my response was both appropriate andrespectable, I can only wonder if it was enough. As someone who has been studying KM for nearly 2 years I find it enormously insulting that people considered to be leaders in the KM fieldare still following the same routes to success and innovation. Oh sure, they have new lingo andthey are all dabbling in more “metaphysical” theories and, of course, metaphors are all the rage,but for all of the banter and all of the talk about change and new rules of business I see thesame cycles perpetuated, the same patterns of behavior weaving in and out of corporate andorganizational communities. I’m not a business consultant (yet) or a financial advisor. I canbarely understand the stock market and don’t even ask me about the state of my checkbook,but I see organizational patterns, I understand the influence of politics (power) and the roles that‘need’ and ‘want’ play. I understand the basics of economics – me want, you have; menegotiate to get. Call it caveman economics, if you’d like.Having spent a huge chunk of my Christmas vacation working on summer internshipapplications I’ve been caught up in the act of, first, finding a job, and second, finding one thatincorporates the various themes of adult education which have captured my fascination. On theheels of these rejections (a likely prelude to my internship search) I can’t help but fixate on how Iwill ever be able to get people, businesses and organizations to see the depths of adulteducation; to come to understand it, admire it, and become as passionate about it as I have.Because, if I can get people to understand how substantial and diverse this field is then, notonly can I create an impact, I can keep from stressing out about finding jobs that will respect theknowledge I am acquiring.I know this is getting off subject. So, what’s all of theis got to do with adult education and theadult learner?