It’s good to be data driven. But, guess what, knowledge isn’t power! Huh! This post explains what’s needed for leaders to turn facts into useful insights.
The Essentials
Certainly you’ve heard the saying “knowledge is power.”
However, there’s a problem. Such as? As it turns out, accumulating facts is of limited value alone. Ok, what else is needed?
Well, I suggest that factual knowledge becomes power as follows.
1). First, I connect disjointed facts by making sense of the relationships, patterns, and trends in the data.
2). Then, I discern, through careful thought, what’s sitting below the surface. That is, I pay attention to intentions and unspoken meaning.
3). Finally, I exercise foresight. Why? Because it helps me anticipate likely outcomes.
Thus, knowledge is power when paired with sense making, discernment, and foresight.
All three, I believe, are carried along by critical thinking.
The Precept
Remember, a discerning character seeks factual knowledge. In turn, that knowledge helps offset my foolish overconfidence.
Therefore, view facts as a starting point. The wise add sense making and discernment to the facts they have to produce power.
Interestingly, we see this precept in Proverbs 15.14. There, we learn that a discerning character is a learning character.
Apply This Today!
Guess what, knowledge isn’t power! Why? Because I’m expected to add value to those facts!
One application for leaders is that it’s simply inadequate to be data driven alone! Instead, leaders must temper the decision process with other insights. For instance, insights about interpersonal and environmental factors.
So, as a leader, how do you move beyond elemental analysis of facts to derive deeper meaning?
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