Reading: "A Hoarding Culture vs. A Sharing Culture"

I found this post through some searching on ‘eLearning’ and would like to relate this my role in HE (the post is originally about schools):  A Hoarding Culture vs. A Sharing Culture

“In a hoarding culture, teachers and schools keep their expertise, their knowledge, their ideas, and their innovations to themselves. These teachers and these schools get a sense of reward and gratification by being seen as experts, as more creative, more knowledgeable, and more effective.”

I like the sense of satisfaction I get when I realise that I, too, am a ‘hoader’ and that I know something that other’s do not. It does give me a sense of ‘power’ over them, and that I am somehow more important.

But, and it is a big BUT, there is nothing to be gained in the long run from this attitude.

If I hoard all my knowledge to myself, I can help (for example) 5 tutors a week with their eLearning needs. If I share my knowledge so my colleagues can somehow help themselves (to a greater or lesser degree; whilst also getting my help) then I might be able to help 20 or even 30 people a week. Doesn’t that sound better? I have therefore been able to help more people than otherwise would have been possible.

Being selfish in the collaborative world of Web 2.0 we now inhabit is a very ‘ancient’ and out-dated attitude, and will not make you any friends. By sharing and learning from others, they can learn from you and you can actually increase your sphere of influence and increase your knowledge.

Despite trying to be in an environment of ‘sharing’, can we honestly say that we are willing to share everything? I like listening to and learning from colleagues at work, and from my peers on Twitter (and other social networks), and it is only right and proper that I also give something back when I take something from the ‘network’.

“Sharers know that their fellow teachers, their fellow principals, and their fellow schools can benefit and should benefit from their knowledge, ideas, creativity, and information. Sharers get a “reward” out of helping others benefit from what they know. Sharers attempt to overcome silos by sharing with others so that the entire school or school district can benefit.”

Are you a ‘sharer’, or ‘hoarder’?