In leadership, practicing the art of wisdom is more than sharing one’s know-how. A wisdom-oriented leader connects business success to a culture of learning, creativity, and expertise. They focus on evolving themselves and others. They want to multiply others’ impact over solving their problems. Wisdom fuels sustainable leadership.
Upleveling Wisdom
Cultivating wisdom is vital to be an effective leader. It amplifies others’ influence and drives business success. As a leadership influencer, it scales from ignore to source:
- Ignore: Confuse—Leaders in the Ignoring field of impact avoid sharing information or feedback. This abdication confuses the team, causing them to be unsure of the direction, priorities, and decisions. This lack of clarity can stall progress and erode trust.
- Block: Withhold—Leaders in the block field of impact withhold knowledge and hinder their teams’ growth and innovation. Hoarding insights prevents others from accessing key information, limiting the organization’s potential.
- Build: Tell—Leaders in the build field of impact often tell teams what to do based on their experience. This can help growth by providing direction. Yet, it may limit creativity and ownership, and employees may not develop problem-solving skills.
- Maintain: Teach—Leaders in the maintain field of impact teach others by mentoring and developing their skills. They ensure sustainability by cultivating the next generation of leaders. They promote strategic thinking and core principles. They keep the business on track.
- Multiply: Facilitate—Leaders in the multiply field of impact help find wisdom across teams. They encourage collaboration and innovation. They pose compelling questions with skill before providing answers. They assist others in developing strategic thinking and taking independent actions, scaling the leaders’ impact across the organization.
- Source: Illuminate—A leader in the source field of impact embodies wisdom as a way of being. Regrettably, these leaders are rarely permitted to stay in critical roles. While they have a significant behind-the-scenes impact and resident knowledge, it can be challenging for many to see them as active, contributing influencers. Yet, some companies still do hold court for the wise sage. Their diverse experiences and perspectives illuminate new paths for growth and innovation. They shine a light on opportunities others may miss. This helps the business adapt to a changing environment.
Each field reflects real-world influence. A leader evolves from limiting their team’s potential to empowering them to reach new heights. See my Level Up Impact circle model to explore the four leadership practices and the fields of impact in which they scale: wisdom, inspiration, innovation, and achievement).
Wisdom in Leadership
Leaders who cultivate and share wisdom are catalysts for transformation in their organizations. By embedding wisdom into the culture, they empower teams to innovate, solve complex problems, and create lasting value. When wisdom flows without restraint, it transforms the decision-making process.
Leaders become enablers of growth, fostering an environment where learning and creativity thrive. Like Apple’s focus on innovation and simplicity, wisdom-oriented leadership unlocks potential. It smooths processes and makes outcomes more impactful.
Wisdom-driven leadership transcends traditional models of authority. It values understanding over control. It allows leaders to guide teams not through rigid rules but through shared learning and insight. This approach builds trust, promotes transparency, and fosters a strong culture. It can withstand uncertainty and change.
Self-reflect on Your Impact
A leader can use wisdom to shift and visualize their growth. Take an honest look at your leadership. Reflect on these three key areas: block, build, and multiply. Where are you now?
- Block: Leaders in this field hinder growth. They focus on short-term fixes and ignore long-term opportunities. They do not trust their team’s and peers’ capability. They may rely on their authority without investing in their teams’ learning. Here, they block wisdom and stifle innovation.
- Build: Leaders in this field begin to foster growth. They support learning and development, help build processes, and maintain stability. People share wisdom, but it must be practical. It should improve efficiency and team growth.
- Multiply: Leaders in this advanced field use their wisdom to scale their impact. They create environments that share creativity, learning, and expertise, increasing their influence at an accelerating rate. Under these leaders, teams grow. They become self-sustaining in innovation and problem-solving.
Why We Fail to Level Up
What is keeping you from growing in this crucial leadership practice? Here are three typical challenges I see in my coaching practice. Which one resonates with you the most?
- Fear of Losing Control: Leaders may resist shifting from “block” to “build” because they fear losing control. Sharing wisdom and empowering teams may threaten their authority, leading to micromanagement and a reluctance to delegate.
- Comfort in the Status Quo: Leaders in the “build” field might resist moving to the “multiply” field because they are too comfortable with their current successes. They focus on what works, and they fear the uncertainty of growth.
- Lack of Self-Awareness: Some leaders may not recognize the need for change. They may not know their behaviors limit the organization, and their leadership style may be holding it back.
How to Shift Influence
To help leaders shift their focus from block to build and from build to multiply, they can follow this plan:
- Self-Reflection and Feedback: Leaders must first acknowledge their current position. Do this by self-assessing and getting honest feedback from peers, teams, and mentors. The first step is to identify areas where wisdom remains underutilized.
- Foster a Learning Environment: Move from controlling outcomes to empowering teams. Start by encouraging a culture of learning and curiosity. Provide opportunities for team members to experiment, fail, and grow. This builds confidence in their problem-solving capabilities.
- Mentorship and Coaching: Begin multiplying your impact by mentoring others. Share knowledge and instill critical thinking and competent leadership. Invest in leadership development programs that encourage experiential learning and creative insights.
- Build Wisdom-Sharing Networks: Create channels to share insights across the organization. Use both formal and informal methods. Create systems for knowledge management and cross-team collaboration. Also, open forums for all employees to help solve problems and innovate.
The Master Wisdom Key
Leadership through wisdom encourages others to grow and succeed, especially in times of change. It is the key to thriving in change.
As leaders evolve, they shift their focus. They shift from blocking wisdom to multiplying it. This transforms their organizations from the inside out.
Ancient Chinese philosopher and founder of the Tao (the Way), Lao Tzu, said,
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists; when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.”
Questions? Let’s Connect Now.