This is no secret: the world is changing at very fast pace. By the time you get something done, new challenges arise and force you to constantly adjust the way you do things. In the context of constant uncertainty and complexity, the concept of “wise leadership” is gaining significant attention among organizations striving for #sustainable success.
But what exactly is wise leadership, and how can leaders cultivate it within themselves and their teams? In this article, I would like to offer you to explore the concept, including key competences of wise leaders, and some practical ways to develop them, and think about the benefits it offers to organizations.
Wise Leadership: definition
Leadership = ability to inspire, guide and influence people towards a common vision and goals
Wise = “having or showing the ability to make good judgments, based on a deep understanding and experience of life” (1)
#Wiseleadership goes beyond traditional notions of authority and power. At its core, it combines intelligence, knowledge AND practical wisdom. This last concept makes the big difference. Practical wisdom comes from #Phronesis, one of the 3 forms of knowledge identified by Aristotle. It lies in the learnings from practice and experience.
Wise leaders do not merely react to immediate challenges; instead, they take a holistic view, considering long-term consequences and the well-being of their teams, stakeholders, and communities as a whole. They make sound judgment thanks to the experience gained on the field. They embody the principles of curiosity, humility, and integrity, empowering others while making informed choices grounded in a broader ethical context.
In short, wise leadership could be summed up as an ability to inspire, guide and influence people towards a common vision and goals, while considering the common good beyond their own person and organization.
Wise Leaders: a portrait
To understand how to implement wise leadership, it is essential to identify key attributes of the wise leader:
Vision and Purpose: Let’s start with why (see Simon Sinek's books). Wise leaders are able to set a clear #vision for the future and inspire their teams to work towards it. They understand the importance of #purpose of each tasks in motivating employees and aligning organizational goals with individual aspirations.
Attention to details and Big picture: A wise leader is able to identify importance of every details of situations and put them into perspective in a big picture.
Emotional Intelligence: Wise leaders possess strong emotional awareness, enabling them to recognize and understand their #emotions and those of others. Thus, they are able to create genuine connections and good conditions for effective and sustainable #cooperation.
Eagerness to constantly learn and build authority: A wise leader is curious and open-minded. They continuously seeks to gain knowledge and new perspective by experimenting new things, asking powerful questions, actively listening, reading and studying. They are open to learning from others, which fosters an inclusive and collaborative environment.
Sound Judgment: Wise leaders are adept at making informed decisions based on a blend of analytical thinking and intuitive understanding. They weigh the consequences of their choices and consider the long-term impact. They look the reality into the eyes and make courageous decisions.
Integrity and Ethical Standards: A commitment to honesty and strong moral principles is foundational for wise leaders. They are clear about their own #values, align their actions to those. They strive to lead by example, build trust and credibility within their teams and wider organizations.
Resilience and Adaptability: In today’s volatile business landscape, wise leaders demonstrate resilience. They adapt to changing circumstances and encourage their teams to do the same, fostering a culture of flexibility and innovation.
Ownership in growing others: A wise leader takes responsibility in growing others, and establish “servant leadership”, ie serving people to help them becoming wise, in turn
Developing Wise Leadership
Cultivating wise leadership requires a commitment to personal and professional #growth. Here, I’d like to offer some effective strategies (all tested and approved) for aspiring wise leaders:
Learn Continuously:
Embracing lifelong learning is crucial for wise leadership.
read A LOT on diverse topics (business, history, literature, fine arts, travels, sports, philosophy, to name a few), even if not connected to your direct business as it will help you broaden your understanding, and find inspiration
try new things, take initiatives in AND out your comfort zone (both are necessary in my opinion)
take every opportunity to go to the field, even if it’s not your direct area of expertise, and learn from the real place, co-workers, customers
if you’re business owner, build an internal University to establish a strong internal educational system
attend workshops and educative programs
stay updated on industry trends
implement /participate in exchange programs/mobility experiences in another department or country
Reflect on yourself:
Regularly reflecting on one’s experiences, decisions, and behaviors helps leaders gain insight into their strengths and areas for improvement + helps clarifying the direction you want to take, your vision and values and set your ethical standards and commitments.
ask for constructive #feedback,
write/practice #journaling,
engage in a #coaching program
Seek Diverse Perspectives:
Engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds and expertise broadens understanding.
network internally and externally
organize cross-functional team meetings or brainstorming sessions,
implement #DesignThinking for project management,
engage in #Codevelopment programs or leadership bootcamps
Cultivate Emotional Intelligence:
Leaders can create a supportive and understanding atmosphere for their teams by cultivating emotional intelligence.
practice active listening and empathy,
try #horse facilitated coaching (I’ll write about this specifically in a later article), engage in a coaching program
Promote a Growth Mindset:
Encourage adaptability and resilience among team members by fostering an organizational culture that embraces challenges as opportunities for growth.
delegate some responsibilities,
create growth opportunities for you and your people (projects, new assignments),
establishing #mentoring system in your organization
Take care of yourself:
I believe that wise leaders make wiser decisions when they are at their best in terms of energy, shape and wellbeing. Thus, considering mind, heart and body as a whole and establishing healthy routines to preserve them is vital to thrive and perform on a long run, like sport athletes do.
take breaks to recharge your energy
breath!
exercise everyday through physical activity that you truly enjoy
pay attention to how you eat and sleep. Consult a (real) professional, should you need help in those areas, this will be worthy investment
engage genuinely with extra professional activities (family life, volunteerism, every forms of arts etc)
Benefits for organizations
Incorporating wise leadership within organizations provides invaluable benefits. First and foremost, wise leadership cultivate a healthy work culture, which strengthens employee engagement and retention. Their emphasis on ethical behavior builds a robust organizational reputation, promoting trust among stakeholders and consumers.
Moreover, wise leadership enhances decision-making quality by integrating diverse perspectives and long-term thinking. This proactive approach leads to better risk management and innovative solutions, supporting organizations to thrive in uncertain environments.
Finally, wise leaders #inspire others, creating future leaders who carry the values and principles of wise leadership. This legacy not only sustains organizational growth but also positively impacts communities and industries, promoting a more ethical and thoughtful approach to leadership beyond the sole organization.
Conclusion
Wise leadership goes beyond a skillset. It has to be seen as a #mindset that embraces vision, common sense, courage, pragmatism, integrity, and empathy. As today’s leaders confront ever-evolving challenges, cultivating wise leadership is not just beneficial but essential for organizations to ensure their continuity, and their success. By embodying the attributes of wise leadership and committing to continuous development, leaders can create thriving environments that prioritize both people and profits. In doing so, they pave the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.
(1) Cambridge Dictionary
#leadership #wiseleadership #education #learning #graduateprogram #growth #codevelopment #horsesandcoaching #coaching #mentoring #humanresources
Hi, I'm Claire Basso. I built my career as HRD in the fashion retail sector for international players, for over 20 years. I'm now Founder and CEO of Ugoki Talent Experiences, a boutique HR consulting firm aiming at building and developing wise and bold leaders, through innovative programs.
You can connect with me here or on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/claire-basso
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