Prasad Kaipa & Navi Radjou
From Smart to Wise: Acting and Leading with Wisdom
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Purchase the Book:
A fresh and timely approach to nurturing wise, resilient, and flexible leadership in a world of growing complexity. Drawing on inspiring real-life stories of historical and contemporary wise leaders, this book offers a new approach that balances the two styles to achieve a form of wise leadership that is both functional and smart.
Kaipa and Radjou remind us that at the top of the intelligence hierarchy isn’t the individual genius but the genius maker who has the wisdom to lead for the common good and evoke the best in others.
— Liz Wiseman, bestselling author of Multipliers and Rookie Smarts
Leaders tend to obstinately stick to the leadership style that brought them most success in the past, usually one of two extreme styles: functional leadership that focuses on operational excellence or smart leadership that focuses on growth. When a leader’s focus is too functional, the organization becomes introverted and can focus too much on bottom-line profitability while missing out on top-line growth opportunities. But when leaders focus too much on smart leadership, the organization may experience quick growth but lose its effectiveness quickly.
From Smart to Wise offers a new approach that balances the two styles to achieve a form of wise leadership that is both functional and smart. Drawing on inspiring real-life stories of historical and contemporary wise leaders such as Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and Mahatma Gandhi, the authors identify six characteristics that wise leaders share, including: perspective, action orientation, role clarity, decision logic, fortitude, and motivation.
The book offers a practical framework to help readers develop their own style of wise leadership.
Reviews & Endorsements
From Smart to Wise teaches the importance of working together and shows that everyone can contribute to making the world a better place.
— Alan Mulally, former president and CEO, Ford Motor Company
We are entering a new era of ‘conscious capitalism’ in which enlightened organizations will strive to serve a higher purpose that transcends profit maximization. This thought-provoking book proposes pragmatic pathways for smart leaders to become wise leaders who will run the conscious businesses of tomorrow.
— John Mackey, co-CEO and cofounder, Whole Foods Market
Leaders can’t rely on smartness alone to solve the complex issues and paradoxes they face today. This seminal book shows how leaders across sectors can cultivate practical wisdom and use it to create sustainable value for all stakeholders.
— Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman, the World Economic Forum
Kaipa and Radjou remind us that at the top of the intelligence hierarchy isn’t the individual genius but the genius maker who has the wisdom to lead for the common good and evoke the best in others. The path from smart to wise should be the aspiration of all who lead in the knowledge economy.
— Liz Wiseman, Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Multipliers
Few developments for leadership are more important in today’s world than learning how to blend eastern wisdom traditions with western pragmatism. From Smart to Wise is an immensely practical guide for those who are serious about their development as leaders.
— Peter Senge, founding chair, Society for Organizational Learning; New York Times best-selling author, The Fifth Discipline
Developing wisdom can turn a long and arduous trip into a compelling, sustainable, and inspiring leadership journey. Read this fascinating book and let it teach you the tools you’ll need to go from smart to wise!
— Marshall Goldsmith, New York Times best-selling author, MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
Image © Marie-Sarah Adenis
“Smartness can only take leaders so far. To succeed in today’s complex world, leaders must cultivate practical wisdom-by broadening their perspective and acting with discernment and authenticity.”