“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.” – Proverbs 4: 7-9

Leaders need W.I.S.D.O.M. It helps propel their thoughts, ideas, and actions forward. The best leaders learn from past experiences, both good and bad. They leverage the knowledge and insights of others. They’re not afraid to acknowledge when they’ve made a mistake, and take action to rectify the situation.

Over the course of my career as a leadership and management psychologist, I’ve had the distinct honor and pleasure of working with incredibly wise clients. They aren’t just super smart with high IQs. They process information differently. They find people that have traveled their desired path, and pursue these relationships to help make their dreams become a reality. They use mentors and coaches regularly.

In honor of the leaders I’ve worked with who have demonstrated the greatest amount of W.I.S.D.O.M., below are the six key takeaways from their leadership experiences:

Wise Living – Leaders that embody W.I.S.D.O.M. live wisely. They have strong work-life balance, and understand how to maximize their effectiveness on the personal and professional fronts. They live healthy lifestyles; making sure to focus on fitness, diet, and productive life habits. They know when to push themselves hard, and when to take time for rest and relaxation.

Inspired Action – Leaders that have W.I.S.D.O.M. are passionate and focused on driving results. They know how to tap into the true potential of others to motivate performance. They take time to think through issues thoughtfully before taking decisive action. They do not hesitate when results are needed, and learn from past failures to capitalize on future opportunities.

Sustained Effort – Leaders with W.I.S.D.O.M. have perseverance. They are dedicated to moving past challenges and obstacles. They do not let setbacks shape their destiny and legacy. They expect greatness from themselves and others, and do not hesitate to hold people accountable. Their drive and passion is contagious. It strengthens the resolve and fortitude of others.

Desire – Wise leaders operate with a fire in the belly. They have the personal drive to consistently grow and improve. They learn from every experience. They do not settle for mediocrity. Their passion pushes people around them to achieve excellence. They do not give up when troubles surface.

-Optimism_ – Leaders with W.I.S.D.O.M. look to a better tomorrow. They plan for the worst, but hope for the best. They look at life as a glass half full. They use prayer and meditation to push through difficult periods. They believe in the best of others. They challenge people to remain positive, and elevate their game, when it is time to perform. They operate with a champion’s mentality.

Maturity – Wise leaders possess executive maturity. They know how to act in front of the crowd, and how to behave in one-on-one situations. They know how to maximize their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses. They understand how to grow from negative experiences, and they typically don’t make the same mistakes twice.

W.I.S.D.O.M. is an acquired leadership competency. People aren’t born with it, they have to work at it. Practice the behaviors above and you will be well on your way to leading with greater W.I.S.D.O.M.

For more information on increasing your W.I.S.D.O.M. look for Dr. Bandelli’s book, What Every Leader Needs, available in bookstores, and on iBooks and Amazon this Fall 2016.

Contact Bandelli & Associates at abandelli@bandelliassociates.com to pre-order your very own copy today.

Leadership Matters, Without It, People Fail.