what is tacit knowledge

Tacit knowledge is a type of knowledge that is difficult to express or extract, and thus more difficult to transfer to others by means of writing it down or verbalizing it. It is often subjective, informal, and specific to each individual. Tacit knowledge can be defined as skills, ideas, and experiences that are possessed by people but are not codified and may not necessarily be easily expressed. Examples of tacit knowledge include intuition, judgment, and insight. Tacit knowledge is gained through personal experience, and it differs from person to person, making it complicated to explain. It is often expressed through discussion, stories, analogies, and person-to-person interaction. Effective transfer of tacit knowledge generally requires extensive personal contact, regular interaction, and trust. Apprentices, for example, work with their mentors and learn craftsmanship not only through language but also by observation, imitation, and practice.