Why Tacit Knowledge is More Important Than Deliberate Practice: Incorporating Gamification in the Workplace

Why Tacit Knowledge is More Important Than Deliberate Practice: Incorporating Gamification in the Workplace

In today's fast-paced and competitive world, the acquisition of knowledge and expertise is crucial for success in any field. Traditionally, deliberate practice has been hailed as the key to mastering a skill or becoming an expert. However, recent research suggests that tacit knowledge, which cannot be easily captured through words alone, may hold more significance than deliberate practice. Moreover, the introduction of gamification in the workplace provides a unique opportunity to enhance productivity and engagement among employees.

Tacit knowledge, as defined by Ikujiro Nonaka in "The Knowledge-Creating Company," is acquired through emulation, action, and apprenticeship. It involves learning by observing and imitating the actions of a master until the underlying principles are internalized. This type of knowledge is particularly valuable when it comes to complex judgment and decision-making, as it allows individuals to balance multiple considerations in real-time. Attempting to explain this level of expertise through explicit instructions alone is often insufficient, as the intricacies and nuances cannot be fully captured in words.

The limitations of attempting to encode tacit knowledge into expert systems became apparent when researchers realized the difficulty of encompassing all the branches, gotchas, and nuances of human expertise. Merely providing individuals with a list of procedures to follow denies them the opportunity to build their own expertise and hinders their ability to engage in creative problem-solving. Recognizing the existence and importance of tacit knowledge prompts us to shift our focus towards directly acquiring this knowledge instead of relying on explicit explanations.

Deliberate practice, on the other hand, is considered feasible only in domains with a long history of established pedagogy, such as music, math, and chess. It typically involves finding a master in the field, working under their guidance, and learning through emulation, feedback, and osmosis. This process of acquiring tacit knowledge cannot be effectively replaced by deliberate practice alone.

Interestingly, the field of Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM) is actively exploring ways to enhance the acquisition of tacit knowledge. NDM methods aim to make the practice of acquiring expertise more effective and efficient, focusing on the often overlooked topic of tacit knowledge. By keeping an eye on developments in NDM, we can gain valuable insights and strategies to enhance our own learning and expertise-building processes.

Incorporating gamification into the workplace is one such development that has gained traction in recent years. Amazon, for instance, has expanded its gamification program to encourage warehouse employees to work harder. The games themselves are not designed to provide tangible, real-world benefits; instead, they serve as a means for Amazon to boost productivity in an environment that can often be monotonous and repetitive. Employees can earn rewards by playing these games, which can then be exchanged for virtual pets like penguins and dinosaurs. While it remains unclear whether these virtual pets hold any intrinsic value or can be further exchanged, employees have reported that the games help alleviate the tedium and repetition of their warehouse shifts.

The introduction of gamification in the workplace highlights the potential for leveraging intrinsic motivation and engagement to enhance productivity. By incorporating elements of play, competition, and rewards, gamification taps into individuals' natural inclination for mastery, achievement, and enjoyment. It provides a platform for employees to immerse themselves in tasks and challenges, making work more enjoyable and stimulating.

To maximize the benefits of tacit knowledge and gamification, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

• 1. Embrace apprenticeship and emulation: Instead of relying solely on deliberate practice, seek opportunities to learn from masters in your field. Emulate their actions and immerse yourself in their expertise. By observing and internalizing their embodied knowledge, you can develop a deeper understanding and intuition for complex decision-making.

• 2. Explore NDM methods: Stay informed about the latest developments in Naturalistic Decision Making. Look for resources and strategies that specifically focus on acquiring tacit knowledge. These resources can provide valuable insights and techniques to enhance your own learning and expertise-building processes.

• 3. Incorporate gamification in your work: If feasible, explore ways to introduce elements of gamification in your workplace. Identify tasks or projects that can benefit from a gamified approach and implement game-like elements such as rewards, challenges, and competition. By tapping into intrinsic motivation and engagement, you can enhance productivity and enjoyment in your work.

In conclusion, tacit knowledge plays a vital role in expertise-building and complex decision-making. While deliberate practice has its merits in specific domains, the acquisition of tacit knowledge through emulation and apprenticeship offers a more holistic and intuitive understanding of a skill or field. Moreover, the introduction of gamification in the workplace provides an exciting avenue to enhance productivity and engagement among employees. By embracing tacit knowledge, exploring NDM methods, and incorporating gamification, individuals and organizations can unlock new levels of mastery and success.