Chasing Wisdom In Business

A few times in my life, people have mentioned to me that they think I’m wise. Hearing that, I'm complimented but also a little embarrassed. It’s fascinating to me that even though I aspire to be wise, I feel uncomfortable being told (only occasionally!) that I’m wise. So be it.?

How about you? Do you feel conflicted about this like me? Or are you unfazed by flattery like that??

Maybe I should think about wisdom being more about the journey, and less about it being a fixed destination.?

The thing is, in business—perhaps especially in entrepreneurs who want to accelerate growth and be more strategic-—it’s a humbling reminder that there’s always more to know, more to experience, and more to understand.?

A Wise Person Versus A Know-It-All

I’m writing about wisdom today because I just had a fascinating conversation about this topic with a guest on my podcast. Here’s just one brilliant observation he shared in our episode:?

When you're wise, you're somebody who wants to constantly learn something new. And you realize that you don't know at all. [This is different from someone who is] smart and a know-it-all. If you’re wise, you're never going to say you’re a know-it-all and you’re not going to act like a know-it-all.?

My guest was Chip Conley, a hospitality disruptor, bestselling author of multiple books, and the co-founder of the Modern Elder Academy, a “midlife wisdom school” that helps people get unstuck and cultivate purpose. Be sure to listen to our chat below.?

Why Wisdom Matters in Business?

After speaking with Chip, I thought a lot about why wisdom matters in business, and why it is unfortunately somewhat absent from daily practices.?

I decided to jot down a few ideas that have helped me stay a wisdom seeker. Here are a few questions I occasionally ask myself that keep me grounded (and maybe even a little bit wise, too!).?

• How can I focus my decisions less on short-term gains and more on broader impact??
• How can I prioritize integrity and transparency to help maintain a positive company culture?
• How can I view more issues from multiple perspectives?
• How can I stay calm and focused in challenging times??

There’s nothing revolutionary in those simple questions. But that doesn’t mean they’re easy to answer, let alone implement.?

If you’re keen on some insights into wisdom, then check out my episode with Chip Conley below. In it, we broadly explore the following two questions:?

• How can entrepreneurs and business owners avoid getting bogged down in the doom and gloom of midlife??
• How can they reframe this phase of life as an opportunity for wisdom and growth??

Embracing Wisdom In A Digital Age with Chip Conley