To be most effective in my personal and professional life, I must balance knowing and doing. In fact, that’s a key insight from the early verses of Proverbs 3.
Listen to these precepts because they’re good for you. Absorb them into your character so you can grasp life’s essential meaning. Proverbs 3.1-4 paraphrase
Knowing and Doing
In Proverbs 3.1-4, character development links the truth of the law with the mercy of the precepts.
Essentially, this is knowing and doing.
So. as a result of balancing knowing and doing, I build my capacity. Also, I add years to my life. And, I enjoy good from both God and others because I’ve grasped the essential meaning of life!
What I’m Doing
Proverbs 3.1 uses the word “commandments.” That Hebrew word mitzvah (mitzvot plural) means a commandment given by God as a moral imperative. There are 613 mitzvot in Jewish tradition.
As imperatives, the mitzvah are the fundamentals, the basic precepts for living. The precepts bring me me life insights.
Commonly, mitzvah means a good deed. Thus, I find ways to practically apply these universal precepts in serving others.
Deuteronomy 30.16 offers me the choice of keeping the “…commandments (mitzvah), statutes (chuqqah), and (God’s) judgments (mishpat).”
That rational choice brings me God’s blessings. Hence, the directive in Deuteronomy 30.19: “therefore choose life…” What’s implied here is a relationship between me and God as I choose wisely.
BE-KNOW-DO
Intentional character development balances knowing what’s required of me with merciful, practical applications of the precepts. Together, these two concepts are the Know and the Do of the BE-KNOW-DO mental model.
What do I know? What can I do with what I know?
To be most effective, I must use experiential insight, built up over time, to practically apply the interpersonal and discipline-specific skills I have developed. In this way, I balance knowing and doing.
Personal Insight
I’m very task oriented – I get that! On a DiSC assessment, I generate influence by being factual and logical. Thus, I’m certainly not magnetic and enthusiastic!
Combine a strong task orientation with being a serious introvert and … well, you get the picture!
Being self-aware about a personality trait isn’t the same as modifying my behavior to accommodate that trait. I don’t get a free pass – “that’s who I am” – simply isn’t a valid excuse.
Knowing who I am requires that I “do” differently if I am to be effective with the interpersonal aspects of my personal and professional life.
To function effectively as a leader, I must find ways to build insights and develop my skill sets regarding communication and expressions of concern.
Therefore, I choose intentional growth. Therefore, I choose life.
Leadership Insight
In terms of leadership fundamentals, I must be able to balance the expectations of my organization with the personal needs of those around me. That’s leading from the heart.
To achieve a balance between knowing and doing I absorb both the law (What I know) and the universal precepts – the mitsvah, and then, at the same time, carry-out practical acts of service (What I do).
To have a grasp on essential meaning I must balance the requirements for delivering on organizational-level performance objectives with recognizing and showing mercy to others.
Apply This Today!
In the rush to meet deadlines, I should stop to listen deeply to those around me. What needs are they expressing?
How do I respond as needs are expressed to me?
Can I take the opportunity to have an impact on the personal and professional development of someone else?
I balance knowing and doing when I am both productive and merciful. Compassion should be a significant part of my professional skill set.
This post was originally published November 8, 2019. It was revised September 14, 2022.
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