“In my walks, every man I meet is my superior in some way, and in that, I learn from him.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

This profound insight from Emerson highlights a fundamental truth: everyone possesses unique knowledge and perspectives shaped by their distinct experiences; like a kaleidoscope, we each see the world through a lens colored by our personal journey. In our hyper-connected age, digital platforms offer unprecedented opportunities to share these experiences broadly. The potential for accelerating collective learning and human understanding is immense.

However, this ease of sharing has a side effect. We’re often inundated with a torrent of information, what one might call “sharing diarrhea”, where every fleeting thought or observation is broadcast, often without the underlying substance, meaning, or personal learning that would make it truly valuable. The great artists of history didn’t just show us images; they conveyed meaning and interpretation. Great musicians don’t just play notes; they impart emotion and story.

Perhaps the nature of brief, character-limited posts on many platforms has influenced this trend. But I believe that while sharing our knowledge and experience is one of the most valuable contributions we can make, we often fall short of sharing its deepest essence.

From “Can’t Teach” to “Leaders Teach”

There’s an old saying: “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” I respectfully disagree with the latter part. I believe it should be: “Those who lead, teach.”

As a leader, whether by formal title or by influence within a team, one of your most critical roles is to share knowledge, wisdom, and the learnings from your unique journey of trials, successes, and reflections. This isn’t about grandstanding; it’s about humbly and openly offering insights that can be invaluable to those around you, helping them grow and avoid common pitfalls. As a fractional CIO, a significant part of my value to SMB leaders is not just developing IT strategy, but sharing the “why” behind it, mentoring their teams, and building their internal capacity for strategic technological thinking.

Sharing with Meaning: The Key to Real Impact

We need to be diligent about sharing knowledge, but equally diligent in ensuring we’re not just relaying surface-level details; the “paint” or the “notes.” The real power lies in sharing the meaning, the context, and the learnings gained from an experience.

The next time you’re sharing something, whether in a team meeting, a client conversation, a mentorship moment, or even through digital channels:

• Pause and reflect: What is the core insight here?
• What were the emotions involved, and how did they shape the outcome or your understanding?
• What are the key takeaways or actionable lessons that others could benefit from?

By taking a few extra moments to imbue your sharing with this deeper context, you transform simple information into powerful wisdom. This is how leaders foster a true learning culture within their SMBs, where shared experiences accelerate collective growth and innovation.

What’s Next

Words of wisdom, born from experience and shared with genuine intent, are incredibly powerful. In a world saturated with information, the ability to share with meaning and cultivate understanding is a hallmark of true leadership and a catalyst for helping your business, and the people within it, “Succeed Sooner.”

How are you fostering a culture of meaningful knowledge sharing within your SMB? If you’re looking for a strategic partner who not only brings expertise but is committed to sharing knowledge and building your team’s capabilities, let’s connect with Succeed Sooner Consulting.