It’s critical for leaders to understand what it means to be wise if they are to be truly impactful and influential.
Being wise
How do you define wise?
Well, if you check a dictionary you find terms such as prudent, knowing, sensible, and exercising good judgment. As such, it suggests someone who clearly understands both people and situations by being insightful and discerning.
Unsurprisingly, Solomon was wise because he deliberately sought to know wisdom, First Kings 4.30. Moreover, he was referred to as wise in Second Chronicles 2.12.
That verse focuses on two essential components of being wise:
1). The ability to grasp what’s essential, and
So, let’s explore those two traits more deeply.
Leadership Insight
Solomon was called wise in regard to handling his role as king. In fact, being wise is essential for leaders.
First, Solomon was able to grasp the essential.
The Hebrew word sekel is used here in Second Chronicles 2.12 for this trait. In addition, Solomon used the same word in Proverbs 3.4, 12.8, 13.15, and 16.22, suggesting its importance.
But, why so important? Because leaders must grasp the essential in order to maintain focus while carrying out strategic objectives.
Second, Solomon could make sense of things.
In short, he could connect the dots! The Hebrew word used in Second Chronicles 2.12 in binah. Actually, he used the word repeatedly in Proverbs. For example, see Proverbs 1.2, 2.3, 3.5, 4.5, and 4.7.
Certainly, sense making is an essential component of the process of getting to root cause. And, of discerning what is and is not relevant.
Most essentially, sense making helps a leader sift through multiple details to find patterns and trends. So what? Well, focus and sense-making enable a leader to push through the fog of confusion, the pressure of deadlines, and the anxiety of crisis situations. Why? To find solutions.
The wise-hearted release the unnecessary in order to grasp the essential. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Apply This Today!
Being wise is not a short-term, academic pursuit. Instead, it’s a life-long, applied discipline.
More fundamentally, being wise isn’t native intelligence because it’s free to anyone!
Thankfully, being wise isn’t simply common sense because it can be learned through intentional effort. Therefore, when I sow a willingness to be corrected, I reap wise-heartedness. That is, I recognize what it means to be wise!