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The importance of Knowledge Filters and their Integration

Human understanding of the world has largely advanced in many ways due to the specialization or ‘filtering’ of knowledge. However, a casualty of this filtering approach sometimes hampers recognition of the interconnectedness and interdependency found with rapidly changing complex systems. This means that, no matter how valuable a specific perspective regarding a focused matter can be, the fuller appreciation of natural systems requires a more flexible, multi-perspective view.

In this respect, because most professionals are expert in their own area, the importance of integration of ideas has become somewhat diluted. We need to remind ourselves of the words of Leonardo da Vinci, who said:

‘Realize that everything connects to everything else’.

Associate Professor Adam Voak has responded to this notion, and, being qualified in a range of knowledge domains, is able to draw on a suite of integrated perspectives in order to more carefully understanding problems by uniting knowledge, people and ideas. In essence Dr. Voak is challenging the conventional approach of specialization by unlocking the power of human versatility and multi-perspectives. Using his traditionally developed knowledge filters in conjunction with a willingness to learn across multiple domains, Dr. Voak is able to analyse a problem through several related lenses, then make connections between what may seem, at first glance, somewhat unrelated topics. This latter activity might be thought of as effectively connecting the scattered dots and illuminating the pathways that conjoin them.

The specific knowledge filters that Dr Voak brings to bear on a complex problem are the following:

The Sustainability Filter

Increasingly, it is being recognized that the world must place more emphasis on sustainable activities, in order to avoid a collapse of the physical systems which support industry and commerce. The ‘sustainability filter’ has been developed to consider issues related to environmental, social and economic development. To assist communities in becoming more resilient and sustainable, it is essential that we look at the balanced interaction of those domains. Looking through the sustainability lens is an acknowledgement that everything we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Filter problems through a sustainability mindset means we must knowingly create and maintain conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony

The Sustainability Filter

Increasingly, it is being recognized that the world must place more emphasis on sustainable activities, in order to avoid a collapse of the physical systems which support industry and commerce. The ‘sustainability filter’ has been developed to consider issues related to environmental, social and economic development. To assist communities in becoming more resilient and sustainable, it is essential that we look at the balanced interaction of those domains. Looking through the sustainability lens is an acknowledgement that everything we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. Filter problems through a sustainability mindset means we must knowingly create and maintain conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony

The Capability Filter

The development of human capability is a powerful integration mechanism. As business pressures inevitably increase, organizations need to help workers develop curiosity, imagination, creativity, empathy and courage, and subsequently encourage them to apply them across all levels and departments. As large, unexpected, events further accelerate the pace of change, organizations looking to grow and thrive in an ambiguous future, must embrace new types of value. Collectively, these enduring human capabilities are the glue that bind and construct new understandings and meaning. They course beneath the surface of debate and wait dormant in every member of the workforce, giving promise of the potential to deliver real benefits.

The Capability Filter

The development of human capability is a powerful integration mechanism. As business pressures inevitably increase, organizations need to help workers develop curiosity, imagination, creativity, empathy and courage, and subsequently encourage them to apply them across all levels and departments. As large, unexpected, events further accelerate the pace of change, organizations looking to grow and thrive in an ambiguous future, must embrace new types of value. Collectively, these enduring human capabilities are the glue that bind and construct new understandings and meaning. They course beneath the surface of debate and wait dormant in every member of the workforce, giving promise of the potential to deliver real benefits.

The Education Filter

The importance of a good education is to allow learners to dissect systems, develop opinions and strengthen character. Whilst education provides some necessary knowledge to clearly distinguish between opinion and agreed positions, it helps to develop critical thinking skills that are needed to unbiasedly interpret our world. Education helps lay the groundwork needed to provide confidence in our abilities, solve problems from logical perspectives and to sustain our passions in life.

The Education Filter

The importance of a good education is to allow learners to dissect systems, develop opinions and strengthen character. Whilst education provides some necessary knowledge to clearly distinguish between opinion and agreed positions, it helps to develop critical thinking skills that are needed to unbiasedly interpret our world. Education helps lay the groundwork needed to provide confidence in our abilities, solve problems from logical perspectives and to sustain our passions in life.

The Legal Filter

The study of Law attempts to describe and understand elements of the social world, just as physics and chemistry describe and manipulate physical reality. Whilst the sciences work with real concepts such as atoms and molecules, the study of Law is based on socially agreed concepts that can be used as building blocks to describe and create complex social issues, such as relationships, rights and obligations. The ability to analyze society through a legal lens, and being able to encapsulate a situation with a choice of appropriate legal terms to describe people, objects, and events, is an important tool to ensure a just and clear understanding of a situation, and which will allow it to sit comfortably with social and cultural norms.

The Legal Filter

The study of Law attempts to describe and understand elements of the social world, just as physics and chemistry describe and manipulate physical reality. Whilst the sciences work with real concepts such as atoms and molecules, the study of Law is based on socially agreed concepts that can be used as building blocks to describe and create complex social issues, such as relationships, rights and obligations. The ability to analyze society through a legal lens, and being able to encapsulate a situation with a choice of appropriate legal terms to describe people, objects, and events, is an important tool to ensure a just and clear understanding of a situation, and which will allow it to sit comfortably with social and cultural norms.

The Logistics filter

Looking at the complex global commercial interactions through a logistics filter requires a systems thinking approach. Through a logistics lens we are able to zoom out from a focused view to see the broader picture, and consider the effects of the wider issues which are at play. As logisticians, we learn to understand that everything is interconnected and interdependent in some way. From this perspective, it is understood that life’s interactions should not be transactional, but relational.

The Logistics filter

Looking at the complex global commercial interactions through a logistics filter requires a systems thinking approach. Through a logistics lens we are able to zoom out from a focused view to see the broader picture, and consider the effects of the wider issues which are at play. As logisticians, we learn to understand that everything is interconnected and interdependent in some way. From this perspective, it is understood that life’s interactions should not be transactional, but relational.

The Business filter

In an increasingly competitive global business environment, deciding which trends are transitory and which are lasting requires an understanding of many issues related to consumer behavior patterns, business structures, government interventions and the real earnings power of businesses. One particularly central question is whether activities dealing with short-term earnings can lead to an increase in the long-term value and impact. This is where a multi-perspective view, looking into the business from the outside in, and indeed, inside out, can lead to bigger picture thinking.

The Business filter

In an increasingly competitive global business environment, deciding which trends are transitory and which are lasting requires an understanding of many issues related to consumer behavior patterns, business structures, government interventions and the real earnings power of businesses. One particularly central question is whether activities dealing with short-term earnings can lead to an increase in the long-term value and impact. This is where a multi-perspective view, looking into the business from the outside in, and indeed, inside out, can lead to bigger picture thinking.

The Communication filter

Although communication per se is not related to business decisions, its use, or misuse, can solve or cause problems. Indeed, in a globalized business world, interacting communities involve many different groups with different languages, cultures, histories and life expectations. In such interactive environments communication is fundamental in building strong, trusting relationships with people whose innate perspectives can be very different from ours. In this respect, we must cognizant of the important role communication plays as we trade across different cultures, religious, social, ethnic and educational backgrounds. In this sense, by using a communications filter we aim to better understanding how people from different countries and cultures act and perceive the world around them. In the words of Stacy Hale:
‘We are all holding a piece of the puzzle, and the only way we can get to the big picture is to see how they fit together’.

The Communication filter

Although communication per se is not related to business decisions, its use, or misuse, can solve or cause problems. Indeed, in a globalized business world, interacting communities involve many different groups with different languages, cultures, histories and life expectations. In such interactive environments communication is fundamental in building strong, trusting relationships with people whose innate perspectives can be very different from ours. In this respect, we must cognizant of the important role communication plays as we trade across different cultures, religious, social, ethnic and educational backgrounds. In this sense, by using a communications filter we aim to better understanding how people from different countries and cultures act and perceive the world around them. In the words of Stacy Hale:
‘We are all holding a piece of the puzzle, and the only way we can get to the big picture is to see how they fit together’.

Credentials by Knowledge Filter

  • Master of Professional Studies (Sustainable Supply Chains), University of Southern Queensland
  • Certificate of Lean Supply Chain, Cardiff University
  • Certificate of Carbon Footprinting, Manchester University
  • Lean Supply Chain Management (Green Belt), Institute of Industrial Engineers
  • Graduate Certificate in Ecological Sustainable Development, TAFE NSW
  • Master of Training and Development, University of Southern Queensland
  • Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practice, TAFE SA
  • Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA), Singapore Workforce Development Authority
  • Certificate IV in Pastoral Care, TAFE SA
  • Certificate IV in Career Development, Wodonga TAFE
  • Master of Education, University of Southern Queensland
  • Graduate Certificate in Adult and Vocational Education, Charles Sturt University
  • Graduate Certificate in Digital Education, VOTES
  • Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education, Victoria University
  • Diploma of Vocational Education (Simulated Business Environments), Canberra Institute of Technology
  • Diploma of Adult and Continuing Education (DACE), Singapore Workforce Development Authority
  • Master of Laws, University of New England
  • Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Australian National University
  • Graduate Certificate in International Customs Law and Administration, University of Canberra
  • Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies, Charles Darwin University
  • Advanced International Humanitarian Law, Australian Red Cross
  • Bachelor of Laws, University of New England
  • Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Australia
  • Admitted as a Legal Practitioner of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory
  • Graduate Certificate in Aviation Management, University of New South Wales
  • Graduate Certificate in Maritime and Logistics Management, Australian Maritime College
  • Bachelor of Aviation Management, Griffith University
  • Advanced Diploma of Logistics Management, Northern Territory University
  • Diploma of Air Cargo Rating, IATA
  • Certificate in Cargo Marketing, IATA
  • Doctor of Business Administration, Victoria University
  • Master of Business Administration, Charles Darwin University
  • Graduate Certificate of Management, Victoria University
  • Bachelor of Business, Edith Cowan University
  • Diploma of Quality Management, Canberra Institute of Technology
  • Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety
  • Master of Arts, University of New England
  • Graduate Certificate in Management Communication, TAFE NSW
  • Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language, Tabor College
  • Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication), Griffith University
  • International Diploma of Language Teaching Management, University of Queensland
  • Diploma of Teaching English as a Second Language, Queensland Institute of Education