Ask Dr. Monika Ardelt where wisdom is located … or what’s credible at work … and you may be surprised at her answer. Where do you find wisdom in your field?
It’s rare, according to most people who research the wise … and yet that fact doesn’t slow down Ardelt’s search for answers that could benefit your organization.
Over many interviews from wise and not so wise adults, she studied how wisdom ranked against health and money as a key to contentment. Does it surprise you that wisdom beat out both … hands down?
It turns out that wisdom comes both with age and reflection … according to Ardelt’s discoveries. What could its pearls offer your workplace?
Wise people ... according to Dr. Ardelt ... use two key strategies to resolve challenges and contend with conflicts.
1. They remove themselves from a crisis situation … to avoid being bombarded with the problem. By stepping back … the wise person remains calm. Wisdom steps back to spot solutions that brings two opposing sides together in mutually beneficial ways. Have you observed it where you work?
2. They take positive actions to resolve situations, rather than giving in to outside forces ... or succumbing to self-pity or bitterness.
People who score lowest in wisdom ... according to Ardelt ... also become most vulnerable when conflict strikes. They complain, speak more of problems or limitations than of answers, and tend to fall into victim mentality. They tend to do the opposite to overcomers ... whenever faced with challenges.
Would you agree that a wise workplace … is polar opposite of a business driven by fear? What’s your definition of wisdom and where have you observed it lately?
Ellen, this is one of my favorite topics.
Yet I find that when I use the word "wisdom" in client meetings, people react as if they had never heard the word uttered in the confines of an office building. At the same time, they are more than willing to pursue an understanding of what "wisdom" means to their workplace. It invariably leads to a worthwhile discussion.
I'm not surprised that the wise rank "wisdom" above health and money. The peace that comes from being wise allows one to see the other two factors in their proper light.
What could bring about contentment more than being a peace with what is true?
Posted by: Steve Roesler | November 19, 2007 8:16 PM | Permalink to Comment