SmartBrief is partnering with Big Think to create a weekly video spotlight in SmartBrief on Leadership called “VIP Corner: Video Insights Powered by Big Think.” This week, we’re featuring futurist Edie Weiner.
Smarts, intelligence and wisdom are distinct qualities, each important and useful but not necessarily found together, says Edie Weiner, a futurist who is president of consultancy Weiner, Edrich, Brown Inc. Smart is becoming obsolete, she says, because being book-smart is in a losing competition with computing power. Being intelligent means leveraging your knowledge to make connections where there isn’t a formulaic answer.
However, it’s wisdom that’s most important for ascending the leadership ladder, especially for women, who face the exhausting dilemma of having to speak up, but not doing so too much lest they get tuned out. “Wisdom is knowing what to say to whom, when and under what circumstances, and for what purpose. … What’s in question is how do we rein ourselves in from asking all of this, or demanding all of this, or wanting all of this,” Weiner says.
Leaders know that they can’t know every detail, do everyone’s job for them or persuade every customer. Wisdom plays a role in knowing what is worth tackling and what isn’t. The same holds true for which battles to fight, and Weiner emphasizes the importance of that lesson for women leaders.
“[I]t’s very weary to constantly ask yourself, is this the hill I want to die on? And you have to ask yourself that question. Otherwise you just become the person who keeps raising the issue again and again.”
Big Think is a forum in which top experts explore big ideas and core skills defining the 21st century. Learn more from its editors, fellows and guest speakers.
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I like Ms. Weiner's definition of wisdom. This is often what distinguishes managers from mentors. A true mentor typically knows "what to say to whom, when and under what circumstances, and for what purpose."
One of the most comprehensive and refreshing article/video i have read/watched in a long time. I love Mrs. Weiner's philosophy, I can totally relate to it.
France Villemaire
Wisdom usually promotes the growth of humility in a person. And, a good leader needs a strong sense of humility. I believe that wisdom and humility grow with time. I've met very few wise and humble people who haven't spent a significant number of years walking around this planet. I have met a number of wise and humble people who grew into those qualities over time. I've also met some very foolish and arrogant people who grew into those qualities, too.
What I want to leave you with is, the development of wisdom requires time and experience. And, it requires humility – the humility to listen more than you speak, the humility to ask questions and not assume, and the humility to speak knowledgeably and from the heart, rather than just winging it.
Sorry I can't view the video at work, so I don't know if you delved into the concepts I've written about – all such material is blocked by my IT department. <Sigh>
'Great distinctions between being smart, intelligent and wise. As I mentioned in a recent article on the subject, we've paid (and continue to pay) a lot of attention to "knowledge management" in our organizations, but not enough to wisdom management. My article reinforces 2 points made by "Private" above: it implies humility ("not about me,") and enough experience. (And not "1 year of experience 10 years in a row!") Access my article ("A Word About The Wise") at http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs084/11024412…
The definition of wisdom here is excellent in the context of its subject, the corporate culture. I have three boys and raised them emphasizing the need to be wise in their conduct and expressions and to seek wisdom over knowledge in their life. History teaches wisdom when read with that in mind, as does religious study. Like me, my boys haven't always been able to carry through, however, if the concept is applied to life in every context the chances of success on many levels increases greatly. Thank you Edie Weiner for presenting an enduring concept in an age of sound bites.
Happy is the man that has found wisdom, and the man that gets discernment, 14 for having it as gain is better than having silver as gain and having it as produce than gold itself.
Does anyone know where this is quoted from?
This is a great video. Thanks so much for posting. It's so true that the switch from raising issues to dealing with them is a critical leadership skill.
Sorry the earlier post was meant to read:
Happy is the man that has found wisdom, and the man that gets discernment, for having it as gain is better than having silver as gain and having it as produce than gold itself.
Does anyone know where this is quoted from?
Great video..