Are you a question of wisdom?

“If you do this, you will definitely increase revenue,” said Mark. Mark was a brash young consultant looking to make a name for himself in his first consulting job since graduating with an MBA. The client, Paula, was an experienced sales manager. She listened patiently to Mark’s presentation full of consultant jargon and tired clichés. It was the claim to “definitely increase revenue” that made her intervene.

“Increasing revenue is always a great thing. Tell me, Mark, where have you done this before?” Paula asked.

“Well, our firm has done this with many clients.”

“That may be true, but you’re pitching me a job that you’d specifically do for us. I’m curious where you’ve had success specifically with a project like this and your experience with increasing revenue. Where have you had success?” done this before?”

Mark stammered for an answer. “I would have a team working with me that has the experience to deliver.”

“Mark, I’ve been around the block a lot and I can tell when someone isn’t being honest with me. You’ve never done a project like this before, have you?”

“Well yeah, when I worked on my MBA we did a case study on this. I’m confident I can get the job done and deliver results Paula.”

Paula smiled politely. “Okay, Mark, let me think about it, okay?”

“Of course. Can I call you next week?” Mark asked.

“I’ll be out, but I’ll call you if we decide to continue. Thanks, Mark.”

Paula got up from her chair, shook Mark’s hand, and led him out of the office.

“Gee, what to ask” Paula thought as she walked back to her desk, knowing she wouldn’t call Mark back.

To understand a poser of wisdom, we must first understand a steward of wisdom. A wisdom steward is balanced in how he seeks and shares wisdom. They humbly and genuinely seek wisdom to help make sound decisions. At the same time, a wisdom manager transparently and candidly shares wisdom with others to help them make sound decisions. The Wisdom Steward respects and practices the roles of seeker and participant alike with the goal of embracing success for both themselves and others.

Now to the wisdom pose. The poser of wisdom is not concerned with embracing success. The poser cares more about impressing others. A poser cautiously seeks wisdom without exposing how much he doesn’t know about a subject. The poser tries to understand enough to dazzle others with his mastery of the subject. He thinks of this analogy; I can read about a perfect golf swing all day, but I have to put what I’ve learned into practice and hit the links. The impostor would profess to be a great golfer because he reads about it, not because he has the scorecards to prove it. The poser shares what he believes to be wisdom, but it is groundless because there is no experience to back it up. So a poser of wisdom cautiously searches without exposing how much he doesn’t know, and aggressively shares information, trying to pass it off as wisdom.

Are you a question of wisdom? Ask yourself these questions:

• Is it difficult for you to admit that you are wrong about something?
• Do you feel the need to contribute even if a topic is unfamiliar to you?
• Do you tend to quote more what you have read than what you have experienced?
• Are you wary of seeking wisdom for fear someone might find out how much you don’t know?
• Looking for insightful things to say around people who are influential in your career?
• Do you try to impress people who influence your career by agreeing with what they say?

Wisdom holders cautiously seek wisdom without exposing themselves and aggressively sharing information that passes as wisdom. If this is you, now is the time to move from Wisdom Poser to Wisdom Butler.

Do you want to see more? Check the book here.