Do we ever stop to think what simple words really mean? Words like “wisdom?” Words we use every week.
Words like “wisdom” can and should motivate and inspire us. That’s how they are meant to be used.
Read interesting article that SJ King had on [email protected].
Got me thinking, not just about wisdom, but lot of words we all use every week.
Common definition of wisdom: Having experience, knowledge and good judgement.
Knowledge, good judgement, discernment all rely on feelings. Internet and AI present us with information and facts. But they can’t present us with feelings. They can describe what feelings should feel like, but neither medium have ability to actually “feel.”
SJ King made following point: we have internet and AI. All kinds of tools that appear to answer any question or thought we have. But are they giving us information that can lead to wisdom? Make us and our organizations stronger?
Information is not wisdom.
All of us need to step back. Instead of relying on information tools for answers we need reflect. Concentrate on things that make our feelings stronger. Stop looking for answers. Instead, let answers come to us.
But that only happens if we create time to think and reflect.
Start by thinking about your mission or project.
What are current goals? How do the goals make the company better? Are they production goals? Or goals that inspire? Are they the right goals?
If you had to describe desired outcome in few words, what would they be? Do they excite you? Inspire you? Motivate people? If not, or only a little, the mission or project needs further insight and attention. You may not be missing the target. But on 1-10 scale you’re 4-7. That should not be acceptable.
How is this mission or project going to make company or jobs easier, more fun, and more rewarding?
More productive and profitable? Nice, but doesn’t do much to motivate employees or customers.
Those are outcomes. But only when customers get excited, sales and marketing are pumped up. Employees are inspired and look forward to coming to work. Those in production positions, like Front Desk, F&B, Housekeeping, Engineering, etc, see uptick in other employees and hear good things from guest/customers.
When whole team feels uplifted, supported, and appreciated. When they can actually see changes and results
So…how do we step back and reflect? When everybody is different?
Start by carving out some quiet time for yourself. If you were starting over would the goals be the same? If so, don’t start over. Instead think about outcomes. What questions do today’s expected outcomes answer? Just facts? How can you add in feelings? Will your end product motivate, inspire and create excitement?
Step back, think and reflect. First by yourself. Then reach out to others. Use AI to frame issues. But don’t expect AI to tell you how people should feel.
Will outcome of mission or project enable:
You
Customers
Employees
Vendors,
The public
Competitors
to see the company from different perspective?
Open doors to new ways of looking at mission or project.
SecurEmploy has been wrestling with several thorny issues. I fell into above trap. I was giving AI prompts…and getting lousy answers. Obviously, I was giving AI the wrong prompts. Or was I?
Perhaps I was expecting AI to give me answers. When I needed to be thinking what people hoped or expected. Feelings, insghts and wisdom first…then get AI/other sources, to fill in the gaps and holes.
When I stepped back and just sat and thought. No phones, no interruptions. Then took walk and thought. Then grabbed cup of coffee and thought some more. Heck, I even stepped back and asked my wife for her input. Sure enough she had good insight knowing nothing about issues we were addressing.
Questions I should have been thinking about are starting to come.
That‘s as far as I have gotten this Sunday afternoon.
Now I’m ready to go back to AI, internet and other tools and sources. To help round out my thinking.
Have the thorny issues been solved? Not yet, but they will be tomorrow morning.
I talk to lot of executives every week. Turns out others have been wrestling with similar challenges. Hopefully my story will give you some ideas.
The other take away? Reading/listening to articles, like SJ King’s open new ways of thinking about our goals and challenges.
Interested in what we came up with? Send me email, glad to share. [email protected]
Tom Ferree is the founder of Ferree & Associates and SecureEmploy, organizations focused on helping companies find exceptional talent and helping professionals advance their careers. Since founding Ferree & Associates in 1977, Tom has worked extensively with hospitality companies, executives, and rising leaders across the industry. Through SecureEmploy, he shares practical career strategies, leadership insights, and real-world advice to help professionals grow their careers and help organizations build stronger teams.
