Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

Where is the Life we have lost in living?
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?

T.S. Eliot, “The Rock”, Faber & Faber 1934. referenced in: “The Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom Chain:
The Metaphorical link”, paper by Jonathan Hey

Themes repeat themselves over time when you write daily for year after year. One of those is the “Wisdom pyramid”, an iteration of which that I prefer shown above. Over the years I’ve listened to wise people from many spheres, distilling to this theme over and over.

This links strongly to #OpenLeadership, as humble and curious leaders hungry to make a greater impact are always listening, particularly for what sits at source in all the data, information and knowledge they are continually exposed to. For example, one elite leader I work with:

1. First distilled much data, information, and knowledge to understand the simple truth that their business is all about their people,
2. Then derived various insights around how they and their business could shift their focus more,
3. Finally distilling that to the wisdom of asking their people one question: “what do you need and how can we build it for you?”