3 Habits of Wise Leaders

Good leaders want to do the right thing. But sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. Have you ever made a really unwise choice that cost you a relationship or an opportunity? 

It’s so discouraging to realize you’ve made an avoidable mistake. It can even make you question your decision making ability. 

But you can recover.

When we see people who seem to always make the best decision, it’s tempting to believe that they’re just smarter than we are, or maybe have a unique gift. Not true! Nobody is born wise. 

The good news is that you can acquire wisdom. 

Over a lifetime of practice (and the mistakes to go with it) we’ve distilled our learning into 3 habits that wise leaders consistently practice. 

Put these habits to work for you, and you’ll begin to see a huge difference. You’ll avoid the regret and disappointment that come with repeated failure. You’ll make better choices, and you’ll become the respected leader you aspire to be. 

Here’s a peek inside this episode. 

  • Michael shares an unwise business choice he made—and what he learned. [1:30]
  • The difference between making a mistake and being foolish. [2:42]
  • A simple, solid definition of wisdom. [3:04]
  • Why you don’t have to be highly educated to be wise. [4:29]
  • Why wise people are willing to listen to feedback, even criticism. [6:13]
  • The best reason to be non-defensive when receiving feedback. [6:56]
  • What to do when your critics are just plain wrong. [7:50]
  • The single question that can reveal your need for wisdom. [8:46]
  • The most difficult aspect of practicing wisdom. [13:23]
  • The only thing worse than blaming another person for your mistakes. [14:58]
  • What it looks like when you take extreme ownership of your situation. [17:15]
  • What happens when you don’t take ownership, and when you do. [18:22]
  • How to address foolish behavior in your teammates. [19:48]
  • The most positive result of accepting responsibility for your circumstances. [21:42]
  • The most obvious mark of wisdom. [23:25]
  • How to deal with a teammate who “gets it,” but won’t change their behavior. [25:23]
  • Two daily practices that help you develop wisdom. [27:47]

Once you’ve listened to this episode, ask yourself this key question: “In what area of my leadership am I most reluctant to receive honest feedback from others, especially those closest to me?” 

Your answer will indicate the primary place to apply what you’ve learned here. When you do, you’ll be well on your way to wisdom. 

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Resources from This Episode