Ecclesiastes 8.5 says getting the fundamentals right leads to sound decisions. Why? Because of a wise character. Additionally, I know the right thing to do. I also know the right time to do it. Therefore, get a wise character to make sound decisions!
Keeping the precepts builds a wise character that makes sound decisions. Ecclesiastes 8.5 paraphrase
Decision Quality
How many suggestions are there for improving decision quality and decision timeliness?
Proverbs for Professionals.net
Well, technically speaking, a whole bunch!
Seriously, a Google search on “improving decision quality” produces 205 Million results!
For example, advice on decision making includes know your blind spots. And delegate and share decision authority. Also, include right timing as part of decision making. And shelve ego and emotion. Moreover, … the list goes on and on!
Conversely, the instruction from Solomon in Ecclesiastes 8.5 skips these details. Instead, he moves immediately to root cause.
A Wise Character
In fact, Ecclesiastes 8.5 uses the phrase “wise heart” to describe the character of a person who’s life is precept driven.
Thus, the wise hearted get the fundamentals right. As a result, they make really good decisions!
Hence, character is root cause here!
Building a wise character is hard work. In fact, it’s a daily challenge – an insight at a time!
For starters, Proverbs 10.8 says a person with a wise character soaks up the precepts. Accordingly, they seek to grow their knowledge of the fundamentals.
Next, Proverbs 16.21 says a person with a wise character is discerning. As a result, they are growing, daily. Also, they’re growing both personally and professionally.
As such, God gave Solomon a “wise and discerning character” because he simply asked! See First Kings 3.9-12. It reveals the conversation that takes place at the beginning of Solomon’s time as king.
So, by developing a wise character I will:
First, ...soak up the precepts – on purpose,
Second, …Become more discerning, and
Third, …Make sound decisions.
Therefore, get a wise character to make sound decisions!
Make Sound Decisions
The Hebrew word translated “procedure” or “judgment” indicates the ability to make sound decisions.
Similarly, good judgment is associated with wisdom.
By definition, wisdom is factual knowledge plus insight. See Proverbs 2.6 as explained in the following diagram.
Proverbs for Professionals.net
In addition, the speaker in Proverbs 8.20, who is portrayed as a female, is wisdom. Consequently, wisdom yields several benefits, including sound decisions.
Wisdom is essential, so get wisdom! Proverbs 4.7 paraphrase
So, what have we said here?
For starters, a wise character makes sound decisions.
In addition, wisdom, in the form of insight, produces sound decisions.
Thus, wisdom is one mark of a wise character!
Therefore, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the first verse of Ecclesiastes 8.1-5 makes this same point – the wise exhibit wisdom.
Clearly, this isn’t a shallow-minded play on words. Why? Because a wise character effectively combines factual knowledge and experiential insights to form sound decisions.
Therefore, get a wise character to make sound decisions!
The Mental Model
Basically, the mental model used in Ecclesiastes 8.5 is the old standby Input – Process – Output.
First, the precepts are the Inputs.
Second, building a wise character is the Process.
Third, sound decisions are the Output.
Hence, this mental model is linear. Therefore, a leader cannot skip any of these steps to improve decision quality and decision timeliness.
Next, a secondary mental model here is reasoning from first principles. As expected, the first principle is a wise and discerning character.
I must get the fundamentals right before I can change who I am.
Personal Insight
So, what’s the outcome when I’m convinced I’ve made a sound decision and others disagree. Or, say no to me?
Usually, I conclude the others are dimwitted!
Ok, maybe that’s not always a joke. However, it doesn’t move me forward toward a productive outcome.
As a dean, I work in an academic institution. Most often, we work from consensus. Thus, it’s really important to find common ground. In addition, don’t take hard positions.
Now, is this a slower way to operate? You bet!
My Guide to Sound Decisions
I’ve learned that character is a helpful guide to making sound decisions.
My character must include the discretion to look for productive solutions.
A wise character includes the discretion to recognize the validity of other points of view as we look for mutual solutions.
A discerning character produces the discretion to be (mostly) diplomatic in my responses when looking for optimal solutions.
How about situations that produce chronic stress because of repetitive conflict? I’ve found decision making in those situations to demand much more persistence on my part.
Additionally, I find that maintaining a positive outlook to be an increasing challenge when the default answer is invariably “No.”
I am learning – very slowly – to focus on the things I can control. As a result, I’m also learning – even more slowly – not to constantly churn over the uncontrollable.
Leadership Insight
A leader’s ticket into making sound decisions isn’t simply a more refined decision process.
You don’t improve decision outcomes as a leader by continually gathering more data.
Leaders don’t make better decisions solely by being more inclusive and participative.
It doesn’t matter how smart the leader is, or how quick they are on their feet, because poor character outweighs all this!
Processes, data, wise counsel, and intelligence are all valuable to a decision maker. However, they’re not a cure-all.
A leader must build a wise and discerning character, by being precept-driven, in order to make sound decisions. Conversely, a lack of discretion flows out of a poor character.
There is, unfortunately, no substitute for good character in a leader.
Apply This Today!
I desire to make sound and timely decisions as a leader. I must desire even more deeply to build a wise and discerning character.
There is no wise and discerning character without the self-disciplined, daily work of listening to and intentionally absorbing the fundamentals.
A wise and discerning character produces sound decisions. Therefore, get a wise character to make sound decisions!
Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions or comments about these posts, please contact me: larrydaleyoung@gmail.com
You’re invited to connect with me on LinkedIn by clicking the image: