“The great difference between the recognized man and the respected man is the difference of the head and the heart. The recognized man appeals to the head where things are easily forgotten. The respected man captivates the heart. And the heart does not forget.”
~Glenn Llopis, Forbes magazine
The question for this week’s VIM Executive Coaching post is a simple, yet complex query: Whatever happened to wisdom in the work place? Some would claim it was extinguished during the pandemic; others might opine that wisdom has been replaced by AI or technical expertise, still more could point out the economy or social media rants or politics.
When we think of “wisdom” what comes to mind? An old guy with a long gray beard, a huge, magic gemstone radiating light from a mountain-top or an otherworld warrior, perhaps? Maybe such visions are part of the problem.
Wisdom can come from a dynamic, 28-year-old executive, the head of purchasing who has been in place for 30-years or an employee who spends her weekends serving soup in the community soup kitchen.
The heart of the matter
Wisdom, as the above quote states, is cultivated in the heart. It is borne of authenticity, compassion, reflection rather than reaction, and above all, mindfulness. For any of the reasons we stated, or for all of them, psychologists and those who give these matters great thought, understand there is a drain of wisdom
We live in an age that extolls the virtues of AI (artificial intelligence). Whether AI is virtuous, let alone able to “think,” is one set of debatable points. However, no one seems to mention wisdom as part of AI’s many attributes.
We have often heard the term “brain drain” when referring to talent leaving an organization. What we have not tended to hear is the concept of wisdom drain; a drain of perceptive abilities, insights and the collective knowledge executives should be bringing to the table, in-person or virtual.
When wisdom leaves the corporate realm, everyone in that organization suffers. It is strikingly easy for an executive leader to use analytics and other measures to help predict outcomes. It is another matter to automatically attempt to calculate and predict an organization’s ability to be compassionate or to weight and measure various responses in the moment.
The American work place has undergone numerous changes in the way in which sales, marketing, manufacturing, customer service, inventory management and other functions are guided by technology. We are certainly not opposed to technology and the advent of software to make the humdrum easier. However, with job dissatisfaction, turnover and underperforming organizations still at unprecedented levels, all of the basic needs of those in organizations are not being satisfied. The technology may be getting accolades, but people aren’t (or don’t feel as though they are valued).
Mindfulness and wisdom
We gain wisdom through mindfulness and being present for others and for ourselves. Wisdom and “the heart” are interconnected. The cultivation of mindfulness leads to a nurturing and the growth of wisdom. It has been this way throughout the ages. If an executive leader applies wisdom to situations, chances are their actions will forever affect the heart of the employees who are guided.
Our mission is to help lead executive leaders to be more mindful and to think from the heart as well as the mind. If we can cause the creation of greater mindfulness and wisdom within organizations we can also assist in the healing of troubled organizations. It is a tremendous opportunity to make a difference, and we embrace the opportunity to be of service.