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| How to become the workplace Yoda |
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Keith Appleton
Published: Jun 20, 2012
There is a wealth of leadership and management books presenting all manner of insightful, innovative or just plain obscure strategies aimed at improving personal and business performance. Although the reader may have been smart enough to identify a specific development need, the author usually assumes that the reader is wise enough to implement any lessons learnt. This is were Mike Clayton comes in with his new book “Smart to Wise”. Clayton is a trainer, business speaker and author who has spent the last 12 years as a consultant with Deloitte Consulting. He has used his considerable experience to write a self-development book sprinkled with practical advice and guidance highlighting that wisdom is not solely based on age or experience. Being smart is one thing, but this book shows you how to turn your knowledge into wisdom that leads people to regard you as a valued colleague. If you automatically think of Yoda from Star Wars when asked to identify someone who is wise, you may be relieved to learn that “Smart to Wise” demonstrates that wisdom can be actively developed by anyone with the right tools. The author claims this can be achieved by learning from such diverse influences as Buddhism, Taoism, psychology, philosophy, with some management theory thrown in to assist personal evolution and enhanced effectiveness. This is supported by inspirational quotes by Shakespeare, Dickens, da Vinci, Confucius and Voltaire among others with key points summarized within simple diagrams. “Smart to Wise” sets out the seven pillars you must master if you want to be seen as authoritative, wise and advance to the next level in your career. These pillars include: Knowledge, Perception, Evolution, Conduct, Judgement, Fairness and Authority. Master these claims Clayton and people will regard you as someone whose judgement they can trust and who they consult for advice, guidance and involvement in key projects and initiatives. The theme throughout the book is that its not what you know that matters, but how you react and apply this knowledge to work smarter, not harder, with benefits including enhanced leadership, productivity, persuasiveness, networking and effective stress management; resulting in a more contented work life balance. We all expect our business leaders and managers to be smart, but are they truly wise? Depending on your view, “Smart to Wise” may prove to be essential reading during a time of unprecedented and complex economic, environmental and political change. •Smart to Wise’ by Mike Clayton Published by Marshall Cavendish Business. Available from www.business-bookshop.co.uk •Keith Appleton JP, BA(Hons), N.Dip.M, MInstLM has extensive experience within a managerial and strategic leadership role. His academic background and membership of the UK Institute of Leadership & Management underpins this and he can be contacted at KeithAppleton@Hotmail.co.uk |
| Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 15:58 |
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