Wisdom In Leadership
By Les Mottosky
Modernity and social media has massively influenced society's operating system. We're addicted to distraction and distracted by addiction. And it's fracturing us.
Healthy communities focus on a single intention: mutual flourishing. This requires a level of synthesis. Specifically, the integration of diverse ideas, resources, and efforts into unified developments. This generates collective progress and communal thriving.
By any modern metric, thriving is becoming a fleeting notion for more and more of us. So much change, so fast, is taking a toll. Especially in the one place that can prevent it: our societal connections.
The solution is nuance. It's currently at a premium. Nuance requires time, listening, energy, and deep consideration. While scarce, this is only so because of distraction. When we want something, we prioritize it. Distractions or not.
As a leadership skill, nuance is near the top of the list. Cultures that value nuance as an operating principle demonstrate improved decision-making, reduced polarization, deeper empathy, innovation through complexity, and stronger social cohesion. It's a clarity you can feel in the hallways.
Here are four keys to developing greater capacity for nuance:
1. Slow Down Your Thinking.
Many opinions are reflexes. The good ones are reflections. Social media thrives on immediacy. It's speed over substance. To cultivate nuance, we must pause before reacting, seek context, and ask, what might I be missing? Slowing down turns information into understanding and judgment into curiosity. Go slower to go further.
2. Seek Discomfort, Not Confirmation.
Algorithms feed us what we already agree with, but nuance grows when perspectives smash. Actively follow and engage with voices that challenge your worldview. The goal is comprehension. Disagreement handled with respect is one of the most efficient engines for wisdom. Leadership wisdom.
3. Relearn How to Listen.
Listening is not waiting for your turn to speak. It’s the discipline of attention and a suspension of ego. Nuanced thinkers listen not to win but to understand. Reflect back what you’ve heard before responding. Listening is the soil where empathy grows, and empathy is the oxygen of synthesis.
Experiment with maintaining eye contact while placing all your awareness on feeling your dominant hand. Not with your other hand. Just notice you have a hand and feel the energy in it. You might be surprised at how much more you hear. And the non-verbal cues you notice.
4. Integrate, Don’t Eliminate.
Polarization thrives on the elimination of opposing opinions. Yet every conflict hides a shared value at its center. The task of nuanced leadership is to uncover that shared value and integrate opposing truths into workable, adaptive solutions.
Nuance is the ultimate expression of wisdom under pressure. And it's the most effective way back to mutual flourishing. What could be more important?
TAGS: #Wisdom In Leadership #Adaptation As Innovation #Radical Reframe #Cultural Creativity #Alignment Matters
Les Mottosky
Adaptation Strategist // I help organizations turn creativity into their competitive advantage by aligning leadership, culture and strategy to unlock adaptive innovations.
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