Hearing stories of local NGO staff's passions helps build trust, rapport, and a connection to matters that matter to them. In a culturally-sensitive way, intentionally crafting listening spaces with partners deepens understanding.
The knowledge of the elders is sometimes written.
As a librarian and knowledge manager, the "Information Steward" moniker grew out of information organization practices in academic libraries and international development nonprofit work. Examining who I am, what I believe, and my habits in vocational environments, I now recognize a broader scope of my work.
Stewarding information across work departments and teams necessitates links, relationships, visibility, and lines of communication at the highest level of the organization. Consequently, Information Steward co-leads will report directly to the organization's leader (CEO, President, Executive Director).
When two lead together, we, as a team, achieve a multiplier effect.
What could a Knowledge Stewardship team look like? Consider the foundational elements below from which a scenario is then briefly sketched. The new model may only be achieved over the course of a few years through multiple step-wise iterations.
Key questions that impact how I think and what I pursue in the false dichotomy of work-life (when, in reality, all is connected).
Scenario: multiple organizations connected through shared goals believing collaboration leads to greater impact on their constituents. These organizations are based in different countries around the globe, speak various languages, employ a range of people, and utilize myriad digital communication tools.