The Oxford English dictionary describes wisdom as “ experience and knowledge together with the power of applying them.”
There is an ancient proverb that states “ to know and not to do, is not to know. ”
The commonality of these two statements is in the power of the application, allowing new intelligence and higher order possibilities to be realised.
Confucius states the 3 methods to learning wisdom as:
Evolution insights
After a 45 year career studying primates, Jane Goodall (ethologist , anthropologist, scientist, conservationist; Kyoto prize winner and UN messenger of peace) drew similar conclusions, stating that human culture is passed from generations through:
- Observation
- Imitation
- Practice
Imitation, experience and practice, through activity, are habitual priorities in business and life. Pausing to observe is often overlooked.
Stop, revive, survive....
Reflection, review and application calls for honest assessment in order to build on strengths and manage weaknesses. These are essential foundations for businesses to build solid strategies.
The basic principles of wisdom are best portrayed through the essence of winter and the cooling element, metal. Nature demonstrates the need to move inward to refresh, replenish and capture knowledge to be used for the next season.
After the winter, when the snow thaws, nature crawls out of its cave from hibernation, embracing the spring launching a fresh cycle of growth.
