Learning Wisdom

Learning into Wisdom

How to you measure wisdom in a world of intelligence? Yes, we are supposed to be lifelong learners, but as we work hard to learn all things, we must also slow down and get out of our heads and comfort zones to truly embrace wisdom. As we rush through the world, following a blueprint we were provided to live by, how do we make space to understand ourselves? To remember what life has already taught us? When we are so busy, we can’t even collect our own thoughts, where is there room for something more than what we already know? And if we are restricted to only what we know, how can we be of support to others as leaders?

How many can relate to being a child that thought they knew more than the adults in your life? ME! I was one of those that had to bump my big head into a wall first. As I got comforted while healing my wounds, the adults that loved me would often say “Noele, you are too smart for your own good”. And they were right. I was attacking life full speed ahead attempting to use my limited teenage intelligence instead of leaning into the wisdom my elders had shared with me for these moments. Wisdom is a mighty tool in a world that is loud with advice and pressure. I think of King Solomon in the bible, of all the things he could have received he asked for wisdom as a leader. He wanted to know how to lead and be most useful to those he was responsible to lead. And because wisdom was his priority, that wisdom is still empowering leaders today, through the number one selling book in the world, the Holy Bible, the book of proverbs also known as “the Old Testament book of wisdom. What I am learning about wisdom is that it comes with life experiences. When we understand people, the things needed are more impactful.

Professionally wisdom helps us live fully into ourselves in the spaces where we have agency, because wisdom comes from the heart and spirit, not the head. It’s bigger than what we know. Wisdom allows a leader to lead in humility understanding how much there is to learn from their staff, their clients, and the communities in which they occupy. Wisdom is why I love being a process consultant. I cannot come alongside a leader and tell them what they should do, but I must listen to them. I listen to their experiences, to what they feel, think, and need. Wisdom allows me to know how to strategize steps, because capacity building can only be done at one’s personal capacity. We cannot gain wisdom if we are always the smartest one in the room. What can we learn when we are always talking? Wisdom is a listener.

- Noele Stith

Process Consultant and Senior Design Partner

Repost from October 2022