The Knowing-Doing Gap: How Smart Companies Turn Knowledge into Action

 

ISBN: 1-57851-124-0

Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert Sutton identify the causes of the knowing-doing gap and explain how to close it. The message is clear--firms that turn knowledge into action avoid the "smart talk trap." Executives must use plans, analysis, meetings and presentations to inspire deeds, not as substitutes for action. Companies that act on their knowledge also eliminate fear, abolish destructive internal competition, measure what matters and promote leaders who understand the work people do in their firms. The authors use examples from dozens of firms that show how some overcome the knowing-doing gap, why others try but fail and how others avoid the gap in the first place.