What is distributed mind?

• This is a concept for the existing trend of better performance (mind) through the networking (distribution) of various professionals, each expert in relevant field
• Introduced by Kimball & Mareen Duncan Fisher

Why distributed mind?

• In the information age, development leads from primary & secondary industries to tertiary, services industries
• With knowledge (soft) labour progressively exceeding manual (hard) labour
• Success is not in recruitment of experts, installation of state-of-the-art technology, functionalism & planning
• The effectiveness of the mind (the team) lies in the management, organisational structure, coupling, learning evolution, adaptation, sharing & appropriate use of technology

Knowledge work

• Shifts in work to thinking, mental, non-linear, information & creation (not application)
• Need for self-management, information systems, primary expertise, general knowledge, multiskilling & new adaptation

Brawn & brains

• Less physical & more mental work
• Automation for repetitive physical & mental work
• Efforts on complex, knowledge, technical, non-linear & team work

Empowerment

• Due to distributive needs, empowerment is crucial
• Shifts from control-based organisation (by goals) to commitment-based organisation (by vision, mission, tradition, equality & concepts)
• Self-direction, steering & improvements

Jack of all, master of one

• In line with niche, multiskilling but expert in one domain
• Skilling: old - individual, vertical & horizontal (lateral, peer) skills & generalist; new - team, vertical (across) & integrated specialist

Learning lattice

• Knowledge organisation structured like a lattice
• Less distinct, functional & hierarchical structure
• More overlapping, cross-functional & team-based
• Ad-hoc methodology & redesigning for customisation

Sentient organisation

• New ways for business
• New skills & approaches
• Drive cost = opportunities
• Right information systems: business integration
• Morale & synergy
• Customer-orientation
• From hierarchical to egalitarian
• Lean management, streamline, adhocracy & missionary
• Simplifications with effectiveness

Virtual teams

• Geographically dispersed teams
• Distributed mind = DNA (all cells have same biological codes, but perform in their own tasks), RNA (exact copying of DNA information for biological transfer without distortion)
• Team integration:

1. Structure
2. Leadership
3. Shared values
4. Rewarded goals
5. Virtual collocation

Creation

• An atmosphere where people feel safe to fail
• Creativity as a social activity
• Experimentation with sharing, discussion processes

Knowledge transfer

• Transfer without overload: (knowing) vs. (subject)
• Processes

Leadership

• Managers, multiple factors, equality

Self-healing

• Team guidelines, feedback, conflict, training (as a member)

Technology

• Maximise effectiveness through technology & not maximise technology

Trends

• Six trends:

1. Automation of physical work & linear knowledge work
2. Elimination or phasing out of traditional jobs & work structures
3. Empowerment
4. Predominant KWT
5. Workplace flexibility
6. More VKT