Leadership and Wisdom

A storm brews in my silent garden,

peace is torn like petals off a rose,

the sun is scorching angrily as woods burn.

Clouds fist fight tearing up trees,

trading fierce blows knocking out cities.

River’s rage, slushy with mud,

lamenting death in swollen belly’s.

We can all be right, and nobody is wrong,

is the song, when fools rule,

and wisdom is a feast for dogs.

A storm is threatening my garden, in the man cave of my mind, in my retreat for solace, the retrospection of age speaks to me, “You will never be able to understand everything no matter how much you try”. "Yes, I know, I concur."

We can now collect information faster than any human or any computer can process. We now need AI to help us in a world where data rules. This is an interesting development because no matter how fast we try, the picture flicks faster, new information comes quicker, and our understanding is perpetually ever changing. Accepted, life may not always make sense and we may not be able to understand everything but why should we be denied time tested cardinal principles that will help us make the most of our lives?

This is why the confluence of Leadership and wisdom arouses my interest, these two essential qualities are tools that can help us navigate the uncertainty of these times and help contribute to the success of individuals, organisations, and societies. Leadership and wisdom are distinct yet interconnected concepts, each playing a crucial role in guiding decisions, fostering growth, and untangling challenges.

The Times Newspaper on February 22, 2009, carried an article in which a clinical psychologist tried to defend a UK Government advice leaflet that urged parents not to tell their children what is right or wrong. He said, "We do not know what is right and wrong; right and wrong is relative".

Such opinions are incursions into family life that remove the anchors that have guided society and human development for many generations. The compelling lesson of history is that a society functions and prospers to the extent that it is in alignment with correct principles. It is therefore a misnomer to say, “right and wrong are relative.” At the root of every societal decline are foolish decisions. Unfortunately, we live in a world where majority of people still believe they can live life and make it up as they go, where misinformation is deployed as a weapon of war and for political exigencies. To live in such a world where right and wrong are relative is like setting sail on the wide ocean without a compass and a destination. We cannot be double minded about what is right or wrong, or what our values should be based on.

This is why leadership wisdom is important today. One of the great ironies of life for many people is that while our technologically advanced culture runs shuttles to space, and has landed a robot on Mars, men have walked on the moon, and planted satellites and stations in space, we have split the atom, created incredible feats of engineering and produced doctors who can do amazing miracles of restoration to the human body, it is unable to change human nature.

Technological advances can't stop homes from breaking up, today the institution of marriage is being threatened as people advocate it to be redefined. Wars and inequality continue to rage, environmental degradation and disregard for the planet continues. Technology cannot teach us how to love or live with one another or how to keep families together or rescue teenagers from drug abuse and harmful behaviour. It cannot stop people from bad financial conduct and bankruptcy or stop depressed people from suicide.

Our communities cannot afford to lose the moral framework that guides our value judgements because that will create a society that is morally impoverished, spiritually confused and uncertain of how to live. We must decide if we want to live in a world of very intelligent people who can program a computer, create apps, do many fantastic things but can't solve personal or emotional problems.

Two basic building blocks of wisdom are right perspectives and right values, these two combined with relevant intellectual knowledge will lead to personal wisdom. Personal wisdom is the maturity that comes from developing skills that help us navigate the affairs of life positively, and help us manage issues based on the best plans and selection of the best means.

The journey towards becoming a wise leader involves continuous growth, self-awareness, and a commitment to ethical decision-making. By embodying these qualities, leaders can inspire their teams, create positive change, and contribute to the betterment of society.

To be continued next week.

Dr Peter Adegbie