Technology may be getting smarter, but humans are getting dumber, according to a surprising new study. Evidence suggests that the IQs of people in the UK, Denmark, and Australia have declined in the last decade according to New Scientist. In fact some experts believe our IQs are in a state of permanent decline.
Perhaps we are focusing on the wrong parameters for success. There are other intellectual qualities, namely, critical acumen and wisdom, that IQ tests were not designed to measure and do not measure and these are equally worthy of attention.
Our obsession with IQ is one indication that wisdom as an attribute is not prioritised as a leadership differentiator and yet it should be.
Imagine if all our leaders were wise. Not just intelligent but equipped with wisdom, a learned insight, perception, compassion and judgement and the ability to execute effectively. Visualise how our working world would be different if wisdom was the norm.
Wisdom requires a high degree of self-awareness and insight, alignment of one’s own values, a high degree of self-management and empathy. It incorporates the discernment and realisation of people, events and situations with respect to past experiences and learnings. Envisage the constructive behaviours and creative solutions developed and the positive work environment and engagement created if wise leadership was the norm in our workplaces.
Ineffective leaders make decisions in the absence of wisdom instead based on self- interest, prejudgement, attachment, fear and / or an over reliance on one aspect of wisdom such as past experience or new knowledge.
So how might we fast track the gaining of wisdom to super charge our leadership ability? Here are five tips that might help:
- Make it your passion to keep growing, learning and contributing. Learning and self-development is a key part of the role of a leader.
- Curiosity is essential. Feed and nurture this. Question, ask why, query and wonder why. Look beyond the surface. Nurture a need to know more.
- Being interested is more important than being interesting. This feeds the curiosity discussed above, drives insight and down regulates self-interest.
- Bring your life lessons to work. Don’t compartmentalise. Bring your wisdom from your personal life and spill it into your work life as a leader.
Become more aware. Take the time to stop, pause, breathe and reflect.
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