Life Conversations: Practical Intelligence

Intelligence is the key that opens all doors - Ashish

According to Stoic philosophers, there are four cardinal virtues. They are: prudent self-control (sophrosune), practical intelligence (phronesis), courage (andreia), and justice (dikaiosune).

In the corporate world, often some or all four virtues are missing in an individual. It is easy to delegate every decision to a committee rather than be held responsible (lack of courage). It is easy to shriek away from responsibility by blaming the team when things go wrong (lack of justice). Decision making follows old thought process rather than embracing reality and looking for the simple, but alternate paths to success (lack of practical intelligence). And often the leaders are quick to get angry and moody when things are rough (lack of self-control).

Show up right. Leaders do not need negative emotions to lead a team. Accept that things are tough and will go wrong. That is why you have the role of the leadership. Then, the key lies in the words, 'practical intelligence.' Success at work/projects is not about the academic theories, but practical solutions. Thinking outside the box is not about radical innovation, but logical and simple options.

When faced with challenging times, people either freeze in their thought process or over-engineer a solution. The answer lies somewhere in between. Leveraging practical intelligence and practicing is the answer for successful projects.