Did you know that executives are often unaware of up to 96% of the issues faced by frontline employees?
The “Iceberg of Ignorance,” a concept introduced by Sidney Yoshida, highlights a critical gap in organisational awareness. While executives may perceive only 4% of the problems, frontline staff see nearly all of them.
This doesn’t indicate that executives lack knowledge or do not care about the real issues; rather, it emphasises that crucial insights are distributed across all levels of the organisation and that not all information reaches executives.
Fortunately, there are ways to bridge this gap
In my latest presentation, “6 Tips for Innovative Solutions to Break the Iceberg of Ignorance,” I discuss how technology can help address this critical issue.
- Implement AI-Driven Feedback Systems – Automate and analyse feedback to uncover hidden issues and trends.
- Invest In Collaboration Tools – Enhance cross-level interaction and transparency with modern digital tools.
- Deploy Advanced Data Analytics – Predict potential issues and visualise data for informed decision-making.
- Use Mobile Apps for Instant Feedback – Collect real-time feedback from employees, wherever they are.
- Implement Digital Suggestion Boxes – Invest in building a culture of innovation by encouraging, implementing, and tracking employee suggestions.
- Employ Digital Employee Recognition Platforms – Fairly recognise and reward employees who identify and resolve significant issues.
Are you facing challenges in addressing this gap? Feel free to reach out if you’d like to brainstorm ideas or discuss how to implement these solutions in your organisation.
I’m Jonathan Spiteri, and I bring a wealth of experience in innovation, strategy, agile methodologies, and project portfolio management. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with diverse teams and organisations, helping them navigate the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology. I’ve also earned multiple prestigious certifications, such as Axelos Portfolio Director, SAFe® 6 Practice Consultant, Organisation Transformation, Project Management Professional (PMP), TOGAF 9.2, and Six Sigma Black Belt. These qualifications reflect my dedication to achieving excellence and my proficiency across various domains.