In the medical profession there is an ethics idea known as Learn One, Do One, Teach One. I've recently learned a little bit about this and it intrigues me. As I understand it, the general ideas are:

Learn One - Learning is important. A student is expected to put time and effort into learning. This isn't just limited to medical treatments, although that is important. All care givers are expected to learn -- the ethics, the treatments, etc.

Do One - Once a procedure it learned, there is a need to perfect. Each care giver is expected to do hundreds, perhaps thousands of times. This isn't just limited to the lowly. The physicians and surgeons are expected, required really, to practice medical procedures over and over again. This insures that when a person goes in for a major operation it is not going to be the first time ever for the attending team of surgical staff.

Teach One - And after a person is competent, he/she is expected to pass that knowledge along. There should be no lording of knowledge over the subordinates in this system. The skill is passed along to the next generation. This has an added benefit. The medical knowledge can progress, built upon the abilities of the masters.

I wish that this ethic existed in the IT industry. Think of the benefit. First, there would be an acknowledgment that the new employees don't know all they need to, and aren't expected to know. Second, there would be a further expectation that it will take some time, and much effort to become proficient. And third, those who are the most competent would be expected to pass along there expertise.

I'm now sure what it will take. But leaders in IT should embrace this ethic and do whatever it takes to see that it is adopted into our profession..........
9:16:15 PM    comment []