Action Quote by Richard Pascale
“Explicit knowledge, conventionally delivered like pizza (neat boxes with toppings of concepts, theories, best practices and war stories), is consumed by the brain but not metabolized into action. The learning we call intuition, know-how and common sense gets into the blood stream through osmosis. It is shaped by social context.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Knowledge Management Handbook, 1999
Explicit knowledge is delivered clearly but not acted on; intuition and common sense develop through social osmosis, shaping practical action.
In simple terms: Explicit facts need social context to become useful intuition.
Key Takeaway
Foster environments where informal learning spreads.
Themes
learning
intuition
knowledge
social dynamics
action
Mood
thoughtful
practical
analytical
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- on‑the‑job training
- mentoring programs
Key Concepts
explicit knowledge
osmosis
social learning
practical wisdom
Questions to Reflect On
- How can organizations capture tacit knowledge?
- What practices turn theory into practice?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on formal training can ignore tacit knowledge.
