What type of knowledge base library are you cultivating? What types of resources and books – in paper and eReader format and Cloud – do you collect as part of your knowledge base library?
If you are a student, perhaps you should think about holding on to some of those books your professors have on their course syllabus. As a business person or academic, you probably have a book case and digital file system full of resources you invested in that compromise your knowledge base library.
Everyone should work to develop a knowledge base library with as much diligence as you spend downloading iTunes offerings. According to Wikipedia, “a library (from French “librairie”; Latin “liber” = book) is an organized collection of information resources made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing. It provides physical or digital access to material, and may be a physical building or room, or a virtual space, or both.”
Your professional knowledge base library is the core of the professional material that has impacted who you are as a Professional Person of Worth. Do you have books you have read, virtually or otherwise, which have impacted how you think about your profession and how you deliver to your customers?
The original book which started my own knowledge base library was The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn. I bought this book for my post-grad work. I read it because I was required to. It’s what happened once I opened the book up, and started to read, that is, perhaps, my own personal history.
I’ve written about Defining Moments. They are those times in your life when, upon reflection, end up defining who you are and what you become as a Professional Person of Worth. In my case, this book greatly influenced how I think about collaboration, processes and outcomes. Kuhn introduced the concept of the paradigm shift, a change in assumptions and thinking within the theory of scientific thought in your discipline.
My professional knowledge base library has grown over the years. It includes not only books by friends and colleagues. I purchase books which make me move that one millimeter outside my own comfort level. That same comfort level you and I discuss quite frequently.
My professional knowledge base library is comprised of those books which impact how I think about business, technology, and the sales-
engineering interface® between the two. These books make me stretch my brain, combine and recombine what I thought I knew with what I’ve just learned. I consider myself to be a life-long learner. I have a feeling you are, too.
I re-read the books in my professional knowledge base library as well. As you, yourself, grow professionally and mature personally, you read with new eyes. You have learned more and have a greater breadth and depth of experience.
No matter whether you are a student, recent graduate or mature professional, consider what books are part of your own professional knowledge base library. Let me know what your library looks like. I may want to read one of those books.
Babette N. Ten Haken, Founder & President of Sales Aerobics for Engineers®, LLC, brings entrepreneurial mojo and business- and revenue-producing collaboration and communication tools to small and mid-sized Seller-Doer businesses and startups.
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