Why Wisdom Can’t Be Taught
In the pursuit of wisdom, executives may find themselves taking off their
masks to become truly authentic and reflective leaders.
The day after
becoming the CEO of a company facing turbulent times, David had a dream. In it,
while walking on a beach he discovered a bottle. On opening, a genie appeared
offering him a wish in exchange for her freedom. Eschewing riches, fame or a
long life, David opted for the one thing he knew he needed to help him guide his
people in the best way possible. He chose the gift of wisdom.
In today’s
hyperactive digital age, attaining wisdom is a challenge. With tablets and
phones and their various apps constantly vying for our immediate attention, it
is increasingly difficult to find the time and mental space for making
meaningful connections or engaging in the deep conversations, reflection,
emotional awareness, empathy and compassion, necessary in its pursuit.
Indeed, it is an
unfortunate fact for many leaders in David’s position, that while wisdom
requires education, education does not necessarily make people wise. As
Professor Charles Gragg noted in his classic case study “Because Wisdom Can't Be Told”, the mere act of listening to wise statements and sound advice
doesn’t necessarily ensure the transfer of wisdom.
What does it mean to
be wise?
People often equate
wisdom with intelligence or being knowledgeable; but all too often, it becomes
apparent that being intelligent and being wise are quite different things. The
world is full of brilliant people who intellectualise without really understanding
the essence of things. In contrast, wise people try to grasp the deeper meaning
of what is known and strive to better understand the limits of their knowledge.
Wisdom implies more
than merely being able to process information in a logical way. Knowledge
becomes wisdom when we have the ability to assimilate and apply this knowledge
to make the right decisions. As the saying goes, ‘knowledge speaks but wisdom
listens’. Wise people are blessed with good judgement. In addition, they
possess the qualities of sincerity and authenticity, the former implying a
willingness to say what you mean, the latter to be what you are.
Wise people are also
humble; their humility deriving from a willingness to recognise the limitations
of their knowledge. They accept that there are things they will never know. By
accepting their ignorance, they are better prepared to bear their own
fallibility. People who are wise know when what they are doing makes sense, but
also when it will not be good enough. Ironically, it is exactly this kind of
self-knowledge that pushes them to do something about it.
Wisdom can be looked
at from both a cognitive and emotional perspective. Cognitively, wise people
have the ability to see the big picture. They are able to put things in
perspective; to rise above their personal viewpoint and observe a situation
from many different angles (thus avoiding simplistic black-and-white thinking). From an emotional
perspective, people acknowledged for their wisdom are reflective, introspective
and tolerant of ambiguity. They know how to manage negative emotions, and
possess both empathy and compassion; qualities that differentiate them in an
interpersonal context.
Ironically, what
makes wisdom more important than success and riches is that it enables us to
live well. Our mental and physical health flourishes when we are congruent with
our beliefs and values. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Happiness is when what
you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” Wise people are
attuned to what constitutes a meaningful life. They know how to plan for and
manage such a life. This implies self-concordance, behaving consistently with
their values, a journey that requires self-exploration, self-knowledge and
self-responsibility.
Age doesn’t make us
wiser
So, how can we
acquire wisdom and can we expedite its acquisition? Becoming wise is a very
personal quest. It is only through our own experiences, learning how to cope
with the major tragedies and dilemmas embedded within life’s journey, that we
will discover our own capacities and learn how to create wisdom.
Setbacks are
memorable growth experiences contributing to a deeper understanding of the
vicissitudes of life. Overcoming difficult situations contributes to an
increased appreciation of life and the recognition of new possibilities. These
experiences enable us to rise above our own perspectives and see things as they
are.
Unfortunately, wisdom
is not something that automatically comes with the passing of years. While
older people may be more capable than their younger counterparts, many never
put their life experiences to good use. To acquire the required sense of
reflectivity may necessitate the help of others. Educators, coaches,
psychotherapists and mentors can play a significant role, not only by assisting
with the dissemination of knowledge but by helping those searching for wisdom
work through challenging experiences and encouraging them to work on emotional
awareness, emotional self-regulation, relational skills and mindfulness.
A number of specific
steps can be taken to expedite the road to wisdom. In my work with executives I
have found that creating a learning community in which participants have the
opportunity to tell their stories, not only has a cathartic effect but also
helps wisdom come to bear. While written case studies can be helpful, life case
studies narrated by participants have a much more dramatic, emotional impact.
Telling and listening to personal stories is a starting point for a deeper
understanding of oneself and others, and helps participants learn to hear
what’s not being said.
Wisdom and
authenticity
A learning community
is also a great place to practice open-mindedness. Encouraging participants to
step out of their comfort zone and to deal with people who are very different
from themselves, leads to a deeper understanding and acceptance of the
ambiguous nature of things. If designed in a holistic manner, these communities
are a great exercise in humility, giving participants a better awareness of
their limitations as well as a greater ability to integrate their knowledge and
experiences when dealing with the challenges ahead.
In their pursuit of wisdom, group
members will be encouraged to learn from their mistakes, to think before acting
and, by taking off their masks, to become more authentic in living their
values.
Manfred Kets de Vries, INSEAD Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development & Organisational Change
Read more at
https://knowledge.insead.edu/blog/insead-blog/why-wisdom-cant-be-taught-6456?utm_source=INSEAD+Knowledge&utm_campaign=6f24e8c0ab-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_06_29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e079141ebb-6f24e8c0ab-249840429#r1eCbpjLTpFtCO1C.99
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