colleaguesis

Colleaguesis is a term used in organizational theory to describe the process by which colleagues collectively develop shared knowledge and practice within a workplace. It denotes a bottom-up, informal form of knowledge creation in which social interactions among coworkers across disciplines and roles shape mental models, norms, and routines that guide day-to-day work. The term is a neologism derived from “colleague” and the suffix “-sis” signaling a process.

Key mechanisms include social learning through observation and feedback, mentoring relationships, cross-functional collaboration, and participation in communities of practice. Digital collaboration tools can accelerate colleaguesis by enabling rapid knowledge exchange across geographic or organizational boundaries. The outcome is often a more cohesive team, faster problem solving, and a shared repertoire of procedures and patterns.

Context and evaluation: Colleaguesis is discussed in the context of knowledge management, organizational development, and team dynamics. It can be measured indirectly through social network analysis, diffusion of innovations metrics, or surveys on shared mental models, though operationalizing the concept remains challenging. Potential downsides include the risk of groupthink, exclusion of outsiders, or the entrenchment of suboptimal habits if critical voices are silenced.

Examples and related concepts: In software engineering, colleaguesis may manifest as a community of practice developing common coding standards. In healthcare, clinicians collaboratively update protocols in response to experience and evidence. Related ideas include communities of practice, social learning theory, and knowledge management.