ontology

The following are knowledge discovery / creation questions that you might like to apply to yourself.

• What unusual and useful know-how do I have? What is this know-how generally called and what could I call it?

• Which creative metaphors could I develop to contain this knowledge and what stories could I tell that demonstrate my competence in the domain?
• How do I quantify the value of this know-how to myself, my family, my community, the earth and society at large?
• What does this know-how help me to create and achieve?
• Who else is (or might) be interested in this know-how?
• From where have I acquired this know-how?
• What is the potential value of this know-how? To whom is it valuable and in what way?
• How do I organise myself so that I can remember and reliably re-enact this know-how?
• How do I create and sustain a sustainable income for myself, my family and my community using know-how?
  

We are told that the word umuntu (plural abantu) spiritually means those who emerged from the reed in an ancient marsh.

The process of emerging is described as ukudabuka i.e. to forcefully tear a covering and emerge. From this we learn that from a Zulu point of view the process of human creation of first human existence entailed a period of gestation in the pre-world because it was when the first humans were sufficiently well developed that their physical womb was torn down and their emerged into the world. As in human birth, the umbilical detaches and the amniotic sac bursts open and the child emerges into the world.

It is important to realize that the reed should not be literally seen as the substance that encased the first humans. The reed should be understood in terms of its biological qualities as a hollow plant shoot, and the combination of water and earth for its existence, which three are necessary for life to thrive.

A compelling, powerful vision can help you succeed, become more satisfied with your life, and get the most out of your personal & working relationships. Many experts on leadership emphasize how vital it is for you to craft your own personal vision. Warren Bennis, Stephen Covey, Peter Senge, and others point out that a powerful vision can help you succeed. It can also propel and inspire those around you to reach their own dreams. And remember, if you don't create your own vision, others will plan and direct your life for you.

Vision and Mission statements are your guiding principles. They say what you intend to accomplish and create. They are principles you can measure your progress against.

• The vision statement is a high-level statement that encompasses your philosophy, goals and long-term position. It is your realistic, credible and attractive future. There is no more powerful engine driving you toward excellence and long-range success than an attractive, worthwhile, and achievable vision of the future.

• The mission statement is a more specific articulation of the vision, a statement of how the vision will be implemented day-to-day. It can be done in a narrative form, but a list is more specific.

Vision is the art of seeing that which is invisible, a picture of something that does not yet exist. Organisations and people need vision, they need to understand:

• where they are

• where they are going
• how they are going to get there
  

We oftentimes tend to focus on the latest technologies and Gizmos but all too often the person behind the technology - you - is overlooked. It seems that while the education system is reasonably good at telling you about the world around you, it is not terribly effective about teaching you about yourself and what happens in your brain/mind/body/nervous system. Therefore, I believe that a study of thinking skills should form part of each PKM practitioner's personal growth plan.

I have taught thinking skills to a variety of audiences over the years ranging from school children to engineers and boards of directors in listed companies through our thoughtformz thinking skills project - the course outline includes: