Wisdom Stories and Sound Decisions

I LOVE the definition of WISDOM as the soundness of act or decision based on good judgment, knowledge and experience.  I love it because Wisdom is in MOTION through our actions and decisions.  It's not just some bottled up concept that sits on a shelf.  Wisdom doesn't just sit in the brains of our elders! 

Want to make wise decisions and act wisely?  Yep, Me too!

The definition tells us HOW to act and decide with Wisdom.  We base them on good judgment, knowledge and experience.  Okay, I bet you're thinking, "I have experience.  I know stuff.  And I have good judgment." 

Are you wise? 

Ah, that leads us to the last key word in the definition:  Soundness.  There it is.  The qualifier.  The component that separates wheat from chaff.  Significance from Norm.  Soundness.

Soundness is a high standard to meet.  Webster dictionary says it is the ability to withstand force or stress without being distorted, dislodged or damaged.

Wow!

Do your decisions withstand stress without being distorted, dislodged or damaged?  Do you your actions withstand internal and external forces?

Yes, soundness is a high standard and when it's included in the definition of wisdom, wisdom is held up to that high standard as well.

Wisdom is carefully constructed like a mathematician building a bulletproof proof.  Wisdom isn't built on soundbytes which are easily constructed and blow away with the wind.  Wisdom comes from diving deep.  Learning the facts.  Considering multiple sides of an argument.  Analyzing for possible objections and obstacles. 

But it also doesn't get lost in analysis paralysis!  Because Wisdom is enabled and embodied in ACT and DECISIONS.  Wisdom is in MOTION!

My Wisdom Story from Winnipeg

I was a new manager, sitting in a client cubicle at my new client's location in Winnipeg.  Week 1 of the project.  Late at night.  I was the only one left in the office as I was building the project workplan and figuring out my staffing for the project.  My phone rings.

"Hello, this is Patrick."

"This is Dan X.  I'm the Managing Partner for Canada."

Yeowza!  I rarely had the privilege of being around someone so high in the organization!  I'm sure I sat up straight in my chair as if he was standing in front of me.

"I understand you have an open role on your project.  Calling to let you know that you WILL staff that role with a Canadian."

Ah, those moments where you wish you could pause for a day or so and come up with the perfect response.  Prepared.  Ready.

The response that came out of my mouth surprised me.

"Dan, I'm sure you have some great Canadians that I could staff on this project.  However, the stated mission of our company is that we help our clients change to be more successful.  I will staff this role with the most qualified individual who can help me deliver our company's mission.  I don't care if the person is Canadian, US, green or purple.  I plan to deliver success."

Hmm…..

Can't repeat what came next.  I will say, though, that I won that battle.  I staffed that role with an amazing consultant with deep industry experience…..from the US.  Never heard from that partner again.

I won that battle because it was a WISE decision.  I eliminated all extraneous criteria and condition.  I relied on the one criterion that made the most sense.  How could he NOT want me to deliver success?

That was the first of two times I almost lost my job on that client.  I'll leave the second story for another time.

The Wisdom Challenge

Wisdom is soundness of act or decision based on good judgment, knowledge and experience.  Wisdom isn't wisdom until it is in MOTION and SHARED.  It cuts through ambiguity and distortion.  It stands the test of time.

I KNOW there's an important decision for you to make.  It's lingering out there.  Waiting.  What do you need to DO to make it the Wisest decision of your life?  Research it?  Talk to experts?  What is the Big Why?

Our attention is attacked every day.  We cut it into slivers and slices.  We form judgments and make decisions on soundbytes and memes.  Don't sell your most important choices short. 

Choose and Act with Wisdom!

Shine Boldy!