ABSTRACT
The wisdom literature tells us that experience is important, indeed many definitions equate wisdom with life experience. But if becoming wiser was just about gaining life experience we would expect a strong correlation between age and wisdom which research suggests is not always the case. As John Dewey said, ‘We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience’. However, new research suggests that it isn’t enough to reflect more often – we must also consider how we reflect. In this first section of The Wise Leader, we explore how to get better at learning. We share new research as to how wise leaders learn and reflect and what distinguishes them from other leaders. We share some of this research before offering leaders 20 questions to consider in reviewing their approach to learning. We then offer guidance to learning professionals as to how they can integrate this understanding into the design of leadership development programs.
