THINKING LIKE A LEADER: WISDOM
Effectively thinking about wisdom is the very essence of becoming a SmartLeader! Wisdom has been recognized throughout time and across cultures as the most sought after quality of a leader. Long ago, the ancient leader King Solomon wrote, "It's much better to have wisdom and understanding than to possess gold and silver." SmartLeaders know that wisdom is one of the BIG ideas about which they must think.
WHAT IS WISDOM?
Wisdom is a quality that is easily recognized but difficult to define. To effectively think about wisdom means that we must first define wisdom. In its most basic form, wisdom is timeless knowledge. It is knowledge that is as true today as it was 16 centuries ago and will be true in the next millennium. Such timeless knowledge is an unique combination of experience and knowledge. The 16th Century proverb "Experience is the father of wisdom," is only half-right. If the father of wisdom is experience, its mother is knowledge.
SOURCES OF WISDOM
As SmartLeaders, we are constantly on the look out for wisdom - but where do you find it? To answer this question, we asked the SmartLeaders in our network to share their sources of wisdom (remember, SmartLeaders understand that sharing wisdom is a mark of a wise leader!). The overwhelming majority of our network said that they turn to The Bible to find wisdom. We concur! One of the most timeless and sustainable sources of wisdom is The Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs and the sayings of Jesus in the Gospels.
CONTEMPLATING WISDOM
Wisdom is meant to be pondered. The old leadership truth, you are what you think about all day long, is certainly true when it comes to wisdom. To become wise, think on wise thoughts! Think about temporary information and you'll be a temporary leader. Think about timeless knowledge and you'll be a leader that lasts - a SmartLeader!
Finding wisdom is only the first step in thinking about wisdom. You must then have a process for memorizing and digesting wisdom. Here are some suggested steps for thinking about wisdom:
1. Collect Wisdom - be on the lookout, and when you come across a piece of wisdom, treat it like a rare jewel. In other words, keep it somewhere more secure than your memory. Write it down!
2. Categorize Wisdom - writing down jewels of wisdom is not enough, you need to organize your collection so you can access it easily and frequently.
3. Meditate on Wisdom -- only a fool refuses to spend time with wise thoughts.
4. Memorize it - When a piece of wisdom is especially significant, work to make it a part of your walking file cabinet.
5. Share it! - Remember, the best way to learn is to teach; as you share wisdom, you grow more wise.
To think effectively about wisdom, you must be able to identify it, locate it, and act upon it. To be a wise leader, you must add one additional step to the equation - you must share wisdom! Wise is the leader who finds wisdom, ponders it, memorizes it, files it and then passes it along!
THINK ABOUT IT
If you will take a few minutes each day to dig your well of wisdom, you will be a leader that never thirsts.
关于领导是天生的
"Leaders are born, not made." Right? Let me ask you a question: do you believe that?
I'll give you mine: I *don't* believe it.
AND HERE'S WHY...
Reason Number One: Look Around You
Look at the military, businesses, schools and other organizations. They are hiring people who they feel can make a difference. They say, in effect, "Join us. Listen to us. Practice what we teach... and we will help you to make a difference with us."
They look for - and find - difference makers.
Reason Number Two: Look At The People You Know -- I'll make you a bet.
I'll bet you know some folks who have *become* leaders - people who influence others and make a difference in the world - through the time honored principles I mentioned above: (1) good, hard study; and (2) applying what they have learned.
Reason Number Three: Take A Look At Me
Yep, you read that right. You may not know me very well, but I kinda think I do LOL!
And...
I'll tell you this. If you were one of those proverbial "flies on the wall" who was "there" throughout the various stages of my life, you would have noticed a few things.
I didn't act much like a born leader.
I didn't even look much like a born leader. (Yes, I know that's a perfect lead in for those of you who know me know. Keep those remarks to yourself for the time being!)
I didn't accomplish a lot of "born leader stuff."
But I *did* do this...
I took a good, hard look at certain types of people. You know them. The "big guys" and the "little guys" who stand out above crowd in terms of their impact.
I looked.
I learned.
I acted.
DID YOU GET THAT?
One more time.
I found the right people and then...
I looked.
I learned.
I acted.
HAVE YOU NOTICED?
Most folks don't think of themselves as a born leader.
Chances are *you* don't.
But...
You *can* become a person who positively impacts the lives of all kinds of people in all kinds of ways. And *that* is what I want you to hear. You can.
You really can.
And if Josh Hinds can, YOU can.
CAUTION AHEAD
Remember, though...
Don't compare in a non-productive manner.
Don't expect too much too soon.
Don't expect a free ride with no obstacles.
But above all...
Don't sell yourself short.
Don't give up on your dreams.
Don't stop believing in your potential.
And don't quit looking, learning and taking consistent actions in the right direction.
Growing in leadership potential together,
Josh Hinds
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