Born
to be Wise
to be Wise
We are all born to be wise. Our brains are wired with the potential for wisdom at
birth. As we age we can develop that practical common sense and moral awareness
that combine to produce that most sought after capacity – practical wisdom. A definition of practical wisdom is the
ability to know how to do the right thing in each situation for the right
reasons. The work of Workplace Wisdom is about understanding and practicing in
the right way to become a wiser person as we age. It introduces and applies the
simple, common sense that has become so uncommon today.
birth. As we age we can develop that practical common sense and moral awareness
that combine to produce that most sought after capacity – practical wisdom. A definition of practical wisdom is the
ability to know how to do the right thing in each situation for the right
reasons. The work of Workplace Wisdom is about understanding and practicing in
the right way to become a wiser person as we age. It introduces and applies the
simple, common sense that has become so uncommon today.
The
difference between spiritual and practical wisdom
difference between spiritual and practical wisdom
So
I am not talking about spiritual wisdom here although practical and spiritual
wisdom are often found together. Others are far better qualified to guide the
personal quest for eternal, religious or metaphysical development of the
spirit. Practical Wisdom is a very simple but powerful state that we can all
achieve in our everyday lives.
I am not talking about spiritual wisdom here although practical and spiritual
wisdom are often found together. Others are far better qualified to guide the
personal quest for eternal, religious or metaphysical development of the
spirit. Practical Wisdom is a very simple but powerful state that we can all
achieve in our everyday lives.
We already
recognise it
recognise it
Practical
wisdom is often recognised but rarely defined. I was at a 60th
birthday party recently where at least three of the speakers acknowledged my
friend for her ‘wisdom’. Her wisdom is not spiritual; another speaker described
her as ‘not doing God’ – she is very ‘down to earth’. It is something that we
respect people for and it is a state that develops over a lifetime through
experience. Even though we can intuitively recognise the ability, there is a
need to put a framework for developing practical wisdom in place for us all.
wisdom is often recognised but rarely defined. I was at a 60th
birthday party recently where at least three of the speakers acknowledged my
friend for her ‘wisdom’. Her wisdom is not spiritual; another speaker described
her as ‘not doing God’ – she is very ‘down to earth’. It is something that we
respect people for and it is a state that develops over a lifetime through
experience. Even though we can intuitively recognise the ability, there is a
need to put a framework for developing practical wisdom in place for us all.
Wisdom and
knowledge are different
knowledge are different
‘Knowledge is
identifying a tomato as a fruit. Wisdom is not adding it to a fruit salad’. Anon
identifying a tomato as a fruit. Wisdom is not adding it to a fruit salad’. Anon
Most
people agree that there is a need for more wisdom today, but some people
mistake knowledge for wisdom. Practical wisdom is developed through practice in
the real world; through experience, trial and error, reflection and adjustment.
Knowledge is only part of the equation; reading and academic qualifications are
useless and can even be dangerous if used alone. ‘Knowing’ the answer without
first applying the tools of wisdom will result in poor decisions. Theoretical
knowledge is useful as a guide for reflecting on personal experience; a
scaffold for building deeper understanding and judgement. Knowing what and why
needs to be subjected to ‘how’ in many different contexts before knowledge
becomes wisdom.
people agree that there is a need for more wisdom today, but some people
mistake knowledge for wisdom. Practical wisdom is developed through practice in
the real world; through experience, trial and error, reflection and adjustment.
Knowledge is only part of the equation; reading and academic qualifications are
useless and can even be dangerous if used alone. ‘Knowing’ the answer without
first applying the tools of wisdom will result in poor decisions. Theoretical
knowledge is useful as a guide for reflecting on personal experience; a
scaffold for building deeper understanding and judgement. Knowing what and why
needs to be subjected to ‘how’ in many different contexts before knowledge
becomes wisdom.
A benefit of
aging
aging
Practical
wisdom is age related. It takes our brains many years to connect the dots
though knowledge, experience and control of our thinking and feeling. This does
not happen automatically; there are many older people who aren’t wise! It takes
intent and practice and it is important to practice the right things at the
right time.
wisdom is age related. It takes our brains many years to connect the dots
though knowledge, experience and control of our thinking and feeling. This does
not happen automatically; there are many older people who aren’t wise! It takes
intent and practice and it is important to practice the right things at the
right time.
I
look at work with four stages of age related development; each stage requires
different practice. In youth we have the physical energy and are given
allowance for breaking established rules and as we age there is the potential
to develop good judgement, compassion and altruism. It is important to take the
right action at the right time to develop wisdom.
look at work with four stages of age related development; each stage requires
different practice. In youth we have the physical energy and are given
allowance for breaking established rules and as we age there is the potential
to develop good judgement, compassion and altruism. It is important to take the
right action at the right time to develop wisdom.
Personal and
collective wisdom
collective wisdom
We
can practice individually to develop practical wisdom. A small team or a larger
community, such as an organisation, can develop a wise approach. It is not
necessary for everyone in a team to have wisdom although it requires at least
one person. Teams and organisations need frameworks and cultures within which
wisdom can be respected, used and encouraged to grow. Practical wisdom, like a
plant, will grow easily if given the right support and nutrients!
can practice individually to develop practical wisdom. A small team or a larger
community, such as an organisation, can develop a wise approach. It is not
necessary for everyone in a team to have wisdom although it requires at least
one person. Teams and organisations need frameworks and cultures within which
wisdom can be respected, used and encouraged to grow. Practical wisdom, like a
plant, will grow easily if given the right support and nutrients!
Why we should
all aspire to develop wisdom
all aspire to develop wisdom
- Because we can – and
who doesn’t want to be known as wise? - It will enable
communities and society to be wiser - We will benefit from
better decisions and relationships - It will make us happier
– it anchors our sense of purpose in life.
In
their book ‘Practical Wisdom’ Barry Schwartz and Kenneth Sharpe sum this up:
‘Wisdom is not the mysterious gift of a handful of sages, but a capacity we all
have and need.’
their book ‘Practical Wisdom’ Barry Schwartz and Kenneth Sharpe sum this up:
‘Wisdom is not the mysterious gift of a handful of sages, but a capacity we all
have and need.’
Let’s develop
our innate capacity for wisdom.
our innate capacity for wisdom.
Janis Grummitt offers advice and
development options for Practical Wisdom.
development options for Practical Wisdom.
See more here: www.workplacewisdom.co.nz
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