{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Wisdom Is More Important Than Smarts","description":"This week Cam offers some insight to new college graduates on some basic workplace skills that will make them effective in their workplace. He\u2019s advised his clients for over twenty years on these things, maybe he should have something worthwhile to say. ----- My daughter graduated from college in May. After 20+ years advising companies and 7+ years interviewing workplace leaders on my What\u2019s Working with Cam Marston radio show and podcast, I realized I should have some useful advice for her\u2014and others\u2014stepping into the next chapter. This is lesson number one called Wisdom is more important than Smarts. You can follow the upcoming lesson on my Linkedin page. Last week, after giving a speech in Atlanta, a young man approached me with a familiar question: \u201cHow do I deal with my Gen Z employee who\u2019s been here a year and now wants a leadership role\u2014or else he\u2019s leaving?\u201d I\u2019ve heard this one for about ten years. First, it was Millennials asking this of Gen X leaders. Now, it\u2019s Gen Z asking it of Millennials. So, what\u2019s changed? We raised our kids in a culture of constant praise and reward. We applauded nearly everything. They didn\u2019t ask for it\u2014we gave it to them, believing it was the right thing to do. But it created expectations: follow the rules, don\u2019t mess up, and a reward will come. And while that may work in classrooms and sports, the workplace plays by different rules. Competence may get you in the game, but leadership requires wisdom. Wisdom isn\u2019t knowing how to do the job. It\u2019s knowing when, where, why, and with whom. It\u2019s built over time\u2014by watching people, seeing how decisions ripple through teams, and understanding the bigger picture. Can wisdom be accelerated? Maybe\u2014but only through pain and loss. A job falling apart. A serious illness. Hard-earned experience. And nobody wants that path. Wisdom teaches restraint: What not to say What not to email What not to escalate What attention not to attract Wisdom also teaches self-awareness: What do I do well? What energizes me? Where am I weak? What kind of feedback helps me improve? Even the smartest new hire with the highest GPA won\u2019t have those answers yet. Because wisdom requires time. There is no shortcut. No cheat code. In fact, the moment someone says, \u201cI\u2019ve been here a year; I\u2019m ready to lead,\u201d they reveal the very lack of wisdom that disqualifies them. So, for my daughter\u2014and others in her shoes\u2014here\u2019s what I\u2019d say: 1. Focus on what you\u2019re learning. Beyond task lists, study people and power dynamics. What makes leaders effective and likable? Who persuades without authority\u2014and how? Who\u2019s trusted? Who\u2019s not? Why? What subtle behaviors win or lose influence? 2. Build relationships. Meet people inside and outside your org. Listen deeply. Ask \u201cwhy\u201d a lot. And speak less\u2014questions build more respect than fast answers. And finally: stop counting the days. Keep your head up. Watch closely. Learn quickly. Adjust often. Wisdom sneaks in when you least expect it\u2014and that\u2019s what turns a worker into a leader. I\u2019m Cam Marston an I\u2019m just trying to keep it real. ","author_name":"Keepin' It Real with Cam Marston","author_url":"https:\/\/cammarston.com\/keepin-it-real-with-cam-marston\/","html":"