Cambridge Business Association
From Smart to Wise
Book

From Smart to Wise

Acting and Leading with Wisdom

Prasad Kaipa and Navi Radjou
Jossey-Bass, 2013
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Editorial Rating

6

Qualities

  • Well Structured
  • Concrete Examples
  • For Beginners

Recommendation

Leadership and innovation consultants Prasad Kaipa and Navi Radjou present a method that can add depth and dimension to your leadership capabilities in six areas. They explain the differences between “functional-smart” leaders who operate in the “blue zone” and “business-smart” leaders who operate in the “red zone.” Noting that each type has its strengths and limitations, Kaipa and Radjou explain why neither compares to the wise leader who embodies the best of both, and then some. Their manual includes a self-assessment test, a guided program for embarking on your journey toward wise leadership and examples of leaders who personify wisdom. While noting that many of their concepts are tried-and-true, getAbstract humbly suggests that this concise, highly motivational book might help you find the wisdom you seek.

Summary

It’s Good to Be Wise

Some successful leaders are better at seeing the big picture, while others shine at implementing strategies and still others excel at innovation. Each approach has merit. But merely being smart no longer suffices for the challenges of “complex and uncertain times,” and for achieving the personal and professional satisfaction leaders can and want to derive from their leadership efforts. Moving beyond smartness requires persistent dedication to practicing “wise leadership skills.”

Smart leaders are either:

  1. “Functional smart” – These leaders exhibit expertise in a particular area – such as R&D – and deliberate before acting. Conservative about risk, they limit their activities to “what they know best.”
  2. “Business smart” – These leaders like risk, see the bigger picture, have a competitive streak and take a broader perspective.

Both types of leaders stay within their comfort zones. However, wearing blinders – or viewing the world through a “perceptual filter” – can cost them and their companies. Metaphorically, business-smart leaders wear “red filters” and operate in the “red zone...

About the Authors

CEO adviser Prasad Kaipa is the founding executive director of the Center for Leadership, Innovation and Change at the Indian School of Business. Navi Radjou is a World Economic Forum faculty member and co-author of Jugaad Innovation.

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