One way to become more creative and thus more productive is to live a precept-driven life. Actually, the precepts are the component parts of wisdom itself. In fact, once embedded into my character, wisdom enhances my creativity.
The Precept Explained:
The Lord used wisdom “in the beginning.” Proverbs 8.22 paraphrase
The Precept Applied:
In a resource-constrained environment all leaders need to do more with less.
In fact, because of competition, we’re pushed to be more creative and more productive. But, with fewer resources. Hence, continuous improvement and cost reduction to improve competitiveness!
How do I get there? What’s an effective way to build creativity and productivity, and therefore competitiveness?
Becoming Precept-driven
Well, in Proverbs Chapter 8 leaders are encouraged to absorb the universal precepts of wisdom.
As a result of being precept-driven, leaders acquire several valuable traits.
Moreover, those traits literally transform the leader’s character. Therefore, as a leader, I’m changed from the inside-out when I become precept-driven.
What traits? How about the following:
1. Discernment (Proverbs 8.5 and 8.9).
2. Subtilty (8.5 and 8.12) to most appropriately use factual knowledge.
3. The ability to recognize the truth (8.6-9).
4. Sound values (8.10-11) that cherish wisdom.
5. Deep thoughtfulness (8.12).
6. Humility (8.13).
7. A willingness to consider impartial advice (8.14-17).
That’s quite a list of benefits!
What follows, in Proverbs 8.22-31, is a most practical, and most obvious, example of being creative and productive.
The Precepts and Creation
First, the precepts existed before anything was created (Proverbs 8.22-23). Second, they are universal and eternal (8.23). Third, and most importantly I think, the precepts were possessed by and used by God Himself (8.22).
Most practically, God used the precepts as a key component in the creation process (Proverbs 8.24-29). Actually, the precepts played a role in creating the oceans, fresh water, mountains, the earth, and the heavens.
As you would expect, there’s a similar rationale in other passages, such as Proverbs 3.19-20.
In other words, the precepts are the foundation for the creation. Thus, from that evidence, I conclude that wisdom enhances my creativity.
The Precepts and Me
God used wisdom daily during the creation process (Proverbs 8.30). Likewise, I’m expected to use – to practice – wisdom daily (8.34).
Why this expectation? Because wisdom is available to everyone (Proverbs 8.31) who is willing to listen (8.32) and is willing to change (8.33). In fact, 8.33 says it’s wise to be a learner!
What’s the outcome of being precept-driven? Well, beyond the list of benefits given earlier, in general, I enjoy goodwill (Proverbs 8.35).
Conversely, what’s the outcome of not being precept-driven? According to Proverbs 8.36 the outcome includes serious problems!
Most practically, this presentation of benefits and costs is a direct use of the sow-reap mental model.
Thus, what would a prudent person choose when presented with these starkly-different outcomes? That person would choose to live a precept-driven life!
When I absorb the precepts, I will recognize that wisdom enhances my creativity.
Leadership Insights
As a leader, my values influence my choices because I do what’s important to me.
For example, if a leader values the opinions of others, the leader will set aside arrogance. Instead, the leader will learn to pay close attention to how others on the leadership team are responding.
Sensitivity is a critical trait. However, to be most impactful and most influential, a leader must move beyond hearing and responding to factual knowledge and to the perceptions of others.
Why? Because competitiveness, the pace of change, and the need for institutional sustainability demand more of me as a leader than simply hearing and understanding the facts and combining those facts with intuition!
Leaders must provide solutions that are creative and that are lasting beyond a single quarter’s P&L. Above all, deep insight and creativity allow the leader to function in a complex environment without being overwhelmed.
Therefore, the need for creativity demands change in the leader. As a result, leaders must combine careful listening, and a willingness to change, with a just character that is deeply rooted in the universal precepts.
A leader must get the basics regarding personal values. Those values are expressed in a precept-driven leadership style. The outcome is creativity.
A Personal Observation
As an administrator, I was a non-voting member of a committee. At one meeting, the committee had a visitor. That visitor was there to push his agenda. Several of the committee members pushed back. Hard.
The visitor passed around a handout. Because of a history of past conflicts, one member of the committee immediately turned the handout face down on the table.
As you have probably guessed, the visitor was, apparently, oblivious to that response. Instead, he proceeded to present his rationale, which was rejected by the committee.
I concluded from my observation that it’s impossible to be influential when you lack sensitivity to your standing with others. Why? Because you are never starting with a clean slate. Conversely, you’re carrying in the baggage from past interactions.
In this case, the person was perceived as insensitive and arrogant. Why? Because he appeared to value his own opinion above that of others.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t a learner or an insightful observer. He may very well be aware of the importance of being precept-driven. However, without the prerequisite of humility and compassion, there is no influence and thus no creativity.
Plug This In Today!
Before creativity and influence can occur, there must be a just character that exhibits humility and compassion.
A just character is marked by traits such as discernment, subtilty, deep thoughtfulness, and responding to wise counsel.
Creativity is a source of power in my life.
Creativity is released as I am transformed. Moreover, that transformation occurs as I absorb the fundamentals of wisdom by becoming precept-driven.
Therefore, wisdom enhances my creativity.
The Source of This Precept
Proverbs 8.22-31
8.22-31 “The Lord acquired me at the beginning of his creation, before his works of long ago. I was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began.
(Wisdom) was born when there were no watery depths and no springs filled with water. Before the mountains were established, prior to the hills, I was given birth—before he made the land, the fields, or the first soil on earth.
(Wisdom) was there when he established the heavens, when he laid out the horizon on the surface of the ocean, when he placed the skies above, when the fountains of the ocean gushed out, when he set a limit for the sea so that the waters would not violate his command, when he laid out the foundations of the earth.
(Wisdom) was a skilled craftsman beside him. I was his delight every day, always rejoicing before him. I was rejoicing in his inhabited world, delighting in the children of Adam. Christian Standard Bible
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