6 Steps to Avoid Unwise Leadership Choices

When you looked in the mirror this morning, was there more gray hair? If we have hair at all, we should be grateful. But I wonder if the years and experience it took to get gray hair has the value it deserves.

Since I do have gray hair - and the aches in my body say I've earned each one - here's my thought.  Gray hair represents wisdom...which comes from a sum of a few concepts.  Is there connection amongst these words?

• wisdom
• information
• knowledge
• experience
• understanding
• data

Here's where I landed.

The highest form of knowledge for a human person is wisdom.  To be "wise" is to have combined two basic categories; 

1. knowledge, that has been acquired and learned from the vast collection of data and information, and 
2. understanding, that has been forged from experiences and trials.  

Those two combine to make a person wise.
Which inversely means then, that even a very learned scholar with many degrees could score high in knowledge and information...but not be wise since there is no experience or understanding to temper it.

And the reverse is also true. An experienced person with much "hands on" history can be unwise without current or well-rounded information.

Therefore, Wisdom = Knowledge + Understanding

For wise leadership to forge your organization ahead, finding that balance and diversity then, is critical.


Here are 6 Steps to help you identify a wise team player...

1. A DEGREE  Degrees are good indicators that they not only obtained information, but have the "stick-ability" to finish that process. 
2. SELF-DEVELOPMENT  Look for someone who not only has a degree, but who is a consummate self-developer. They should continually be learning and adding to their knowledge base.
3. INFO FOOD  Ask what they read, watch, or listen to. Information should be a steady staple.
4. DIVERSE WORK HISTORY  Seek diversity in their experiences. Stuck in one channel or industry for too long can cause limitations or an atrophy in experiences.
5. COUNSEL IS SOUGHT  Find where they serve in capacities to offer guidance or counsel. Boards and community groups are good indicators.
6. VARIETY OF LIFE STORIES  Discuss a variety of business and life experiences. See where they've been and enjoy the ride in this conversation. This is my favorite experience with "retired" individuals.

I'm headed back to the mirror in a moment.  When I look at my reflection...I'm going to smile. Each gray hair has a story to tell. And as for those wrinkles and "crows feet?"  Moisturizer. 

(Add to this idea?  RT and let's see what combined wisdom of our peers says.)