07/10/2025

While Smart Leaders are Great, Right Now, Our World Demands Wise Ones

In today's uncharted waters, intelligence alone no longer cuts it

In July 2025, it feels like the world is turning upside down. War is displacing millions, climate catastrophe is no longer a distant warning but an unfolding reality, and political freedoms are eroding amid rising populism and polarization. At work, after years of progress toward more human-centered practices, it seems we’re regressing. Where are our leaders? Well, trust in leadership has collapsed. Not because we’re facing a crisis of competence—because we are facing a crisis of wisdom.

Although average IQs have risen significantly over the past century, intelligence alone is proving insufficient. What’s needed now is wisdom in leadership—particularly from those with wide influence in business, politics and beyond. We need leaders who can manage complexity, tolerate ambiguity, make grounded decisions under pressure and still act in service of something greater than themselves. We need leaders who aren't just clever, but wise.

Wise leaders balance efficiency with long-term vision. They recognize the impact of their decisions on employees, communities and the planet. They act with humility and integrity. They seek to leave the world better than they found it. But what do we actually mean by wisdom?

Please select this link to read the complete article from Chief Executive.