In Proverbs 9.6 wisdom says “don’t simple-minded.” Instead, be deliberate. In addition, build insight! As a result, you’ll enjoy abundance! Thus, don’t be shallow-minded!
Wisdom says “don’t be simple-minded.” Instead, be insightful. Proverbs 9.6 paraphrase
The Shallow-minded
What’s it like to be shallow-minded?
In contrast, what’s it like to have insight?
The dictionary says the shallow-minded have no depth. Hence, they’re superficial.
What else?
First, the shallow-minded are “not deep thinkers.”
Second, they’re “easily swayed.”
Third, they “don’t think beyond the surface.”
Sounds awful!
I fix simple-mindedness by being insightful.
Thus, depth of character means I look below the surface. What’s more, I don’t believe everything I hear. Most importantly, I see how actions have consequences.
Therefore, don’t be shallow-minded!
Simple-mindedness
Proverbs calls the shallow-minded “simple.” Specifically, the Hebrew word means easily influenced.
Plainly, it means you’re simple-minded! Ugh!
How does Proverbs describe the simple? What problems come with being simple-minded?
First, Proverbs 14.15 says the simple believe everything they’re told. Conversely, a critical thinker acts carefully and deliberately.
Second, Proverbs 22.3 (also 27.12) says the simple lack foresight. Thus, they don’t see problems that are coming! Conversely, a critical thinker looks ahead and plans as needed.
Third, Proverbs 7.7 says the simple have poor character. In fact, that poor character lacks interpersonal discretion. Conversely, the discerning think right and thus act right.
In summary, the simple are naive, have no foresight, and lack character. As it turns out, both the popular literature and Proverbs support these conclusions.
My conclusion? What a mess!
Personal Insight
Wisdom, pictured as a female, says to me “don’t be simple-minded!”
Who me, simple-minded? Really?
Wait, wisdom is a female? Read Proverbs 1.20-21, 8.1-3, and 9.1-3 if you don’t believe me!
So, can it get any worse than that? Well, see Proverbs 8.4. She’s calling to males! … Talk about role stereotyping and male bashing!
So, that’s as bad as it gets, right? Well, as a matter of fact, no! See Proverbs 1.22 where wisdom asks the simple how long they will love being simple.
So, not only am I simple-minded, but I really seem to enjoy staying that way!
The Value of Critical Thinking
Why did Solomon create this gender-based analogy? I suspect because this teaching of deep versus shallow requires more than “simple” logic. In addition, it’s not based on how smart or quick-witted I am.
Critical thinking is able to consider more than just the facts. It also looks into factors such as emotion and motivation.
Moreover, critical thinking is deliberate and disciplined.
Critical thinking that is effective involves both the head and the heart!
Therefore, don’t be shallow-minded!
Insight Building
Proverbs 14.15 and 22.3 both contrast the simple-minded with critical thinkers.
Therefore, my ticket out of being simple-minded is to think critically. Critical thinking builds insights.
I become more insightful by soaking up the precepts!
Therefore, get the fundamental right. Then, learn to think critically and deeply. The outcome? I’m less simple!
Leadership Insight
Leaders cannot be naive because they will not survive the bad intentions of others. I agree that trust among team members is critical. However, trust that is based on blind faith is asking to be taken advantage of.
I’ve seen bad motives at work. They show out in vindictiveness and back stabbing. Who gets stabbed in the back? Often, the person who showed blind trust.
Next, how about leadership foresight? It plays out in the form of strategic plans. Thus, environmental scans and awareness of competition are necessary traits of leaders. Conversely, a leader who doesn’t think about likely future events is asking to be blind-sided by those events.
Finally, how about the interpersonal discretion of the leader? Fail here and a leader will make terrible choices that lead to complaints about abuse of power.
How Did I Get Here?
How do the simple-minded get into leadership positions in the first place? Let’s hold off on the close relative scenario.
One option is that simple-mindedness shows up once a leader is in over his or her head in a particular situation. Then, they don’t ask for advice from the leadership team.
I’ve seen leaders who were in over their heads. Not surprisingly, their decisions were poor. What’s worse, the outcome for their direct reports was ugly and frustrating!
Another likely scenario is that the leader decides he/she can get away with this behavior. Unfortunately, such self-deception is dangerous. What’s more, the resulting abuse of power is also deadly to both the leader’s career and to morale in the organization.
Reality check! Given the public nature of our social-media absorbed society, your not going to get away with it!
How Do I Get Out of Here?
How do I avoid the trap of self-deception as a leader? Proverbs 14.8 says that when I think critically I become more self-discerning. I build emotional intelligence.
I become more self-discerning by intentionally building insights as a result of day-to-day experiences.
Discernment in a leader fights back against terminal self-deception!
Therefore, a leader must not be shallow-minded!
Apply This Today!
I can escape the trap of simple-mindedness by building insight.
“Watch your back” isn’t an empty saying. Unfortunately, the simple are too naive to do this.
I can escape the trap of simple-mindedness by developing my critical-thinking skills.
Critical thinking, strategic thinking, and looking around corners are all hard work. These traits require constant discipline on the part of the leader.
Therefore, don’t be shallow-minded!
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