What Wisdom Of the Heart Means In Business
In his book Hard Times, Charles Dickens pens a thoughtful statement:
“There is a wisdom of the Head, and … there is a wisdom of the Heart.”
What kind of wisdom have you acquired? What kind of wisdom do you appreciate in others?
What kind of wisdom does your company seek out when hiring, and also reward from current employees?
In a business setting, more value is often placed on wisdom of the head as it’s believed that knowledge and skills are what will benefit a company the most. Most leaders feel the concept of wisdom of the heart is too soft and difficult to assess. So they tend to ignore it.
Yet, it is these ‘soft’ elements that determine an organization’s culture, and in turn are often revealed in surprising ways.
- It’s what causes employees to risk their lives in the face of danger to protect customers.
- It’s how companionate love in the workplace can create competitive advantage.
- It’s why employee performance improves when people feel respected.
A wise leader understands what’s required to foster a culture that leads to success – for everyone. This is not wisdom of the head. It’s wisdom of the heart.
In addition, this distinction about wisdom goes beyond the workplace. It transcends our lives personally to all areas of life.
This reminds me of a Values Quotes video I did a few years ago, based on a brilliant statement by Beth Moore. She opens the door to consider the link between wisdom and knowledge.
May this encourage you – as a leader in business, in your community, in your family, and/or just for yourself – to put more focus on wisdom of the heart.
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Today’s quote is from Beth Moore, an American evangelist, author, and teacher.
Moore makes a thoughtful statement about wisdom:
“Wisdom is knowledge applied. Head knowledge is useless on the battlefield. Knowledge stamped on the heart makes one wise.”
What a great distinction between knowledge and wisdom.
As a differentiating value, Wisdom means applying relevant knowledge in an insightful way. It also means prudent and sensible.
However, if we apply the knowledge we’ve learned and keep making the same mistakes, then something is missing. Real wisdom remains elusive.
Only when we’ve applied what we’ve learned in an insightful way will it stick. It requires acting with care and thought for the future.
But how do we do that?
Sometimes it’s by good council. Others around us together confirm how best to apply the knowledge.
Sometimes it’s by intuition. Maybe we have a sense of how to apply the knowledge, and then we find out if we are right or wrong.
And sometimes it’s simply by experience. Touch the hot stove and you quickly learn that hurts.
When Moore references “knowledge stamped on the heart” I believe she is referring to experience. That tends to be the best form of acquiring wisdom that lasts.
Now the question is: how are you passing along the wisdom you’ve acquired to others? That too requires care and thought for the future.
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