Build Your Knowledge Tree: The Art and Science of Interdisciplinary Learning

Do You Know How Your Specialization Fits Into The Organizational Tree?

Let's go back to the basics.?

Have you ever wondered what the additional role of learning various subjects in school could be?

I guess you would think I need to choose my field of interest and master it. Right?

But did you think you can build connections between various subjects and apply the learnings of one to another?

In schools, we are not taught to connect the knowledge from various subjects from the beginning. This is because you need to have a solid foundation before connecting the information with the other branches of the semantic tree.?

However, what is lacking is a proper explanation of the 'WHYs' behind learning various subjects.

It is much later, when we enter the ever-changing business landscape that we realize focusing solely on one specialization falls short.

So, while our educational journey introduces us to a broad range of subjects, to derive real value from your specialization, you need to understand how it connects with the other subjects, how it gives and generates value from the other subjects, and how it enhances the learning of the other subjects.?

The true magic lies in connecting them, forming a vast semantic tree whose roots are deeply embedded in your area of specialization.?

As Elon Musk and numerous memory experts advocate, building connections between data points is the key to enhancing memory and understanding.

But why stop there??

We all know that building a great culture is an art as well as a science. It requires a blend of creativity, storytelling, and symbolism, along with the application of evidence-based practices. It requires intuitive leadership and systematic implementation.?

Consider Simon Sinek, who merged anthropology with leadership principles to inspire millions with 'Start With Why.' Such interdisciplinary approaches enrich our professional lives, offering unexplored perspectives to solve complex problems.

Understanding the flow of knowledge within your organizational tree leads to innovative pathways when obstacles arise. Cross-learning and integrating knowledge across disciplines fosters distinctive innovation and process improvement, working across silos and enhancing departmental collaboration.

For teams to succeed in their departments, they should be aware of how the work of their department is connected to that of the other departments. You cannot execute your strategy if you do not know who to ladder with. You cannot build and improve processes in one area and not affect the other.?

Cross-learning significantly helps here as you can apply interdisciplinary knowledge and integrate your processes. This method means connecting related expertise from two different fields of application.?

Yet, the concern arises - how do we avoid becoming 'Jack of all trades, master of none'??

The answer lies in being both specialists and connectors.?

Connectors dive deep into the foundations of their specialization while curiously exploring related fields, thus broadening their vision and enhancing their department's work with interdisciplinary insights.

The ability to see the web of connections in an organization is essential as it broadens your vision of where the intersections might be, making it easier to work across silos. With this holistic perception, you can understand who your go-to person for information is. You can understand who to seek knowledge from, who to ask the relevant questions, and who in the organization will affect your decisions.??        

But you cannot build one large semantic tree on your own.

If you really want to delve into other fields beyond your initial professional scope, you should spend time with experts in that field and absorb as much knowledge as possible.?

Observing others in their natural environments can teach us as much as we do from reading a book on a topic. While building relationships with experts, you will exchange information, listen, and share different perspectives. It is a more effective learning tool than reading books for many people.?

As we navigate our professional journeys, let's not limit our curiosity.?

Explore beyond your immediate scope, build your 'tree of knowledge' with a strong trunk of core principles, and continuously connect new learnings back to this foundation.?

The synthesis of depth and breadth in our knowledge and understanding not only accelerates our learning but also propels us toward innovation and excellence.

#InterdisciplinaryLearning #Innovation #OrganizationalGrowth #Leadership #ContinuousLearning