Leaning Into the Wisdom of Others

Wisdom and knowledge are often confused as synonyms, but they are not. Reading and studying can give a person knowledge on a topic, but we can obtain knowledge without the wisdom required to apply it.

Wisdom comes through experience and application—through successes and failures.

In my experience, wisdom is not exclusive to those with long-lived experience (a polite way of saying "older"). Although time does help in some cases, I have met comparatively young and very wise people.

Wisdom requires the humility to recognize what we do and do not understand.

Recognizing this helps us when we must lean into the wisdom of others. Each of us has a personal history that brings with it a certain level of wisdom on various subjects. I have found that there is a certain joy and peace that come when we recognize the wisdom of those we work with and around. Even better, there is also a sense of relief that comes from not having to know everything.

If we can rely on and trust the wisdom of our team, we don’t have to be the experts in everything.

Lastly, seek the wisdom of others. The wisest leaders take the time to ask questions and listen. One of the wisest CEOs I have personally worked with would take a listening tour once a quarter. He would visit departments and locations throughout the company and listen. He asked questions and spoke to everyone, regardless of their position or stature within the leadership ranks. He recognized that team members closest to the customer had the clearest picture of how to better serve customers and improve company processes.

His mantra was: “Stop, listen, ask questions, and have the humility to seek understanding.”

Have a blessed week

Jay Toups