Five Stages of Wisdom for Educators

Sam Geist is a good friend of mine. He was a successful entrepreneur in Toronto, Canada and has become a world-renowned motivational speaker and author of several books about management and motivation. Sam publishes a weekly email newsletter called “Quick Bites,” which offers quotes and strategies for motivating employees. Last week’s edition had a piece about the Five Stages of Wisdom. I believe that the content is relevant for educators as well as business people. Below is Sam’s story for your review.

           

Five Stages of Wisdom

The first stage is to listen. On our journey to wisdom we need to still the ideas spinning around in our heads so we can really hear what others are saying to us.

The second stage is to be quiet. We can't listen to what's happening around us if we are making a lot of noise. But being quiet also refers to being attentive to the wisdom that comes from within.

The third stage is to remember. There's no point being quiet and listening if we allow the information we receive, the lessons we learn to slip away. We need to recall what we've learned, reflect on them and internalize them.

The fourth stage is to act. The purpose for undertaking the first three stages is to use that knowledge, that wisdom to do the work we have to do.

Finally the fifth stage is to teach. Once we've acted on what we've learned it is our responsibility to pass it along, to teach it to our people, our associates, and our teammates. And this way the learning starts all over again

  

LESSON LEARNED:

"We have both the responsibility and obligation to learn -  

And to pass it on."

Reprinted with permission- Sam Geist c.2015