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In every tool in the "Tags" section you will finde the standard tags "explore" and "exploit". What do they mean and how can they help?
Inspired by the book "Der Business-Spagat" and the conversation of our founder Kai with the author Christian (see video here, German) we introduced these 2 tags to allow you to better clarify the purpose of each item (skill, role, etc.).
Definition
EXPLOIT = daily business
EXPLORE = new topics / change / innovation
The “explore” mode is all about discovery and experimentation. It’s when we venture into the unknown, trying out new ideas, testing different approaches, or seeking out fresh opportunities. This mode is crucial when you’re in a phase where learning, innovation, and gathering information are the goals. It’s about broadening your horizons, taking risks, and embracing the uncertainty of new possibilities to uncover something valuable or unexpected.
On the flip side, the “exploit” mode is where the focus shifts from discovery to optimization. Once you’ve explored and found what works, exploiting means doubling down on that strategy, refining it, and squeezing out the maximum benefits. This mode is about efficiency, leveraging what you already know to get the best possible outcomes with the least effort.
Tagging
Tagging roles with specific labels or descriptors can be a powerful way to navigate the balance between "explore" and "exploit" within an organization. When roles are clearly defined, you can communicate whether the expectation for a particular role is to explore—focusing on innovation, experimentation, and discovering new opportunities—or to exploit—concentrating on optimizing, refining, and maximizing the efficiency of proven strategies. By doing this, you help individuals understand not only their responsibilities but also the strategic mindset they need to adopt. This clarity ensures that the right people are exploring new avenues while others are efficiently exploiting known resources, creating a cohesive approach that aligns with the organization's broader goals.
Tipp
Switching between creative, exploratory thinking and focused, exploitative tasks can be jarring and counterproductive. Creativity and innovation require a different mindset—one that thrives on freedom, curiosity, and the willingness to take risks. When people are asked to be creative for a few minutes and then immediately switch back to routine, optimization-focused tasks, it disrupts their flow and can stifle their ability to think outside the box.
Effective exploration demands sustained time and mental space, allowing individuals to dive deep into new ideas without the constant pressure to produce immediate, tangible results. Therefore, it's important to allow people the uninterrupted time they need to fully engage in either exploratory or exploitative work, rather than mixing the two too closely together.
In teamdecoder, make sure that one person does not have to swiutch modes too often, do that by either asisgning explore roles OR explkoiut roles, or by defining clear workloadsm that allow the person to block time for both.
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