From Smart to Wise: Acting and Leading with Wisdom

CHAPTER THREE

Be Aware of Your Action Orientation

Act Authentically and Appropriately

Gaining a wise perspective—by shifting and broadening one’s perspective—is the first step of attaining wise leadership. But unless this wise perspective is followed up with appropriate action, it becomes a missed opportunity. In our view, practical wisdom is always rooted in action. Metaphorically, wise leadership means taking off the colored glasses; experiencing the world as it is; and, based on what you see, identifying actions that are both an authentic expression of who you truly are and appropriate to others at the same time. Wise leaders are sensitive to the context they operate in and fine-tune their actions accordingly while continuing to serve their ...