Knowledge + Experience + Reflection = Wisdom

I read Angela Maiers post on Reflection: An Essential Leadership Practice today and since I’ve been reflecting a lot lately it resonated with me.  In her post she ponders the following two equations:

Information + Action = Knowledge

During the past year I have acquired a lot of information, both from my local colleagues as well as beyond through my PLN and other resources. But information without action is just facts. Facts not connected to anything neither gets saved in the brain nor does it become true knowledge or understanding. It requires acting upon that information to truly understand how it can impact our lives, and the lives of our colleagues and students. This also can directly relate to learning in classrooms. Information, or facts, in isolation without opportunities for students to apply it is still only information, not knowledge.

Knowledge + Experience + Reflection = Wisdom

As leaders it is our job to take the knowledge we have acquired, apply it to experiences and then reflect on that to grow.  Wisdom comes from reflection. Yes, I agree. It is a simple concept, not rocket science but often leaders don’t take the time to reflect with purpose.  I would argue that many educators don’t take the time to reflect either.  Time is always an issue, especially now that educators are being asked to do more and more. But without purposeful reflection I don’t believe we can grow.  Educational leaders need to model this reflection, and therefore encourage it in our staff. Educators should also be modeling reflection in front of their students to encourage it in them. Reflection is a life skill that leads to wisdom and both personal and professional growth.

Wisdom = Growth

Have you grown lately? Feel free to start reflecting…

 

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