Today would have been Melissie's birthday, author of Complete Idiot's Guide to Knowledge Management, friend to many, passionate advocate of the human dimension of knowledge management. She died after a long struggle with cancer last December. There are plans for a tribute at KM World in a few weeks time. Aside from reflecting on memories of working with Melissie, its also interesting to see the way in which electronic systems create fragments of memory and triggers. Plaxo brought me a routine birthday notification yesterday which was anything but routine when I read it.
Comments (2)
When I shared with Melissie my interest in speaking opportunities in early 2005, she immediately offered to share her speaking slot - and suggested we co-develop and co-present at KM World that Fall. Her topic, "Organizational Culture: Get Over It Already."
"Give me true narratives from your experience that showed how you overcame those 'enormous' obstacles of organizational culture we keep hearing about." She had never heard me give a presentation, somehow she just believed in me enough to share her podium.
By the time the conference rolled around in November 2005, her doctor was prohibiting her from traveling to San Jose. She was suffering from a mysterious back ailment - she hadn't yet learned this was the first indication her cancer had returned. I presented 'our' topic alone.
I will never forget my dear friend who knew my potential more than I, and unselfishly (and on more than one occasion) gave me the opportunity to prove it. I will never take her out of my 'contacts' list.
Happy Birthday, Melissie.
Posted by John Bordeaux | October 25, 2007 1:09 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 13:09
Melissie was a dear friend, and I miss her. I think a tribute to her at KM World is very fitting. I only wish I could be there to see it. She was, as John says, very generous with her time, her talents, and her extensive network. I still consider myself incredibly lucky to have been a FOM (Friend of Melissie) because she certainly knew a whole lot more about a whole lot of things than I did, but shared with me anyway.
Happy Birthday, Melissie.
Laura Moore
Posted by Laura Moore | October 25, 2007 5:58 PM
Posted on October 25, 2007 17:58