“Success tends to create pride and blindness in the hearts of men, while suffering teaches them to be patient and strong.”
Xenophon
In his book Cyrus the Great: The Arts of Leadership and War, Xenophon wrote about the importance of seeking wise counsel. He believed that wise counsel could help leaders make better decisions and avoid making mistakes.
What is wise counsel?
Wise counsel is advice that is given from a place of knowledge, experience, and wisdom. It is advice that is based on a deep understanding of the situation and the people involved. Wise counsel can help leaders to see things from a different perspective and to make better decisions.
Why is it important to seek wise counsel?
There are many reasons why it is important to seek wise counsel. First, wise counsel can help leaders to avoid making mistakes. When leaders are faced with difficult decisions, they may not have all the information they need to make the best decision. Wise counsel can help leaders to gather the information they need and to make the best decision possible.
Second, wise counsel can help leaders to see things from a different perspective. When leaders are too close to a situation, they may not be able to see all the options or to consider all the consequences of their decisions. Wise counsel can help leaders to see things from a different perspective and to make better decisions.
Third, wise counsel can help leaders to build trust and credibility. When leaders show that they are willing to listen to the advice of others, it shows that they are humble and that they are open to new ideas. This can help leaders to build trust and credibility with their followers.
How to seek wise counsel
There are a few things that leaders can do to seek wise counsel. First, they should surround themselves with trusted advisors. These advisors should be people who have knowledge, experience, and wisdom. They should also be people who are willing to give honest and unbiased advice.
Second, leaders should be open to the advice of those they trust. They should not be afraid to ask for advice, and they should be willing to listen to the advice that they are given.
Third, leaders should be willing to act on the advice of their advisors. If they receive good advice, they should be willing to follow it.
Conclusion
The principle of seeking wise counsel is an important one for leaders. By seeking wise counsel, leaders can make better decisions, avoid making mistakes, and build trust and credibility. If you are a leader, I encourage you to seek wise counsel from those who you trust and respect.
Here are some additional tips for seeking wise counsel:
- Be specific about what you are looking for advice on.
- Be open to different perspectives.
- Be willing to listen to feedback, even if it is not what you want to hear.
- Be respectful of the time and expertise of your advisors.
