Here are two important questions to ask ourselves as we work remotely and connect digitally.

1. Where do we go for trusted information on matters important to us?

2. Who do we talk to when we have to make difficult decisions?

Sharing complex knowledge requires trust, and trust takes time. We can start by connecting with people in social networks to learn from, and finding communities to improve our professional practices. Trusted knowledge networks are a professional safety net when problems are non-linear and situations are complex.

Personal knowledge mastery is a disciplined process of connecting knowledge flows in our work teams, our professional networks, and our communities of practice. PKM is something each one of us can become masters at, and the resulting knowledge filters of people and resources we connect with can help us answer those two questions above. The PKM framework of Seek > Sense > Share helps professionals become knowledge catalysts — which can make our workplaces and communities smarter and able to make better informed decisions.

PKM is like breathing in and out. We breathe in through our networks, filtering knowledge and making sense through conversations and actions. We breathe out by sharing what we know and have learned.

Research shows that what distinguishes high performers in every field is that they have larger and more diversified personal networks. Each of us can start by seeking people and knowledge that can help us make sense of our work and the world. The more diverse ideas and opinions we have access to, then the more informed we are in order to take action. It takes a diversity of viewpoints to generate innovative new ideas.

The best leaders are constant learners. They also share their knowledge. Leadership today is helping make our networks smarter.

Today, more than ever, work is learning, and learning is the work.