What's A Wise Ass With A Sore Knee?

Ibm Yamin, a Persian poet, wrote:

“One who knows and knows that he knows…his horse of wisdom will reach the skies.

One who knows, but doesn’t know that he knows…he is fast asleep, so you should wake him up!

One who doesn’t know, but knows that he doesn’t know…his limping mule will eventually get him home.

One who doesn’t know and doesn’t know that he doesn’t know…he will be eternally lost in his hopeless oblivion!” 

Perhaps to be both humble and confident, you need be a wise ass with a sore knee?

Adam Grant (Think Again) suggests that confidence without humility engenders blind arrogance; humility without confidence renders debilitating doubt. He offers that to be in a state of confident humility you are secure in your expertise and strengths such that you are comfortable with your ignorance and weaknesses. 

In the most recent episode of AS UNEXPECTED, Ann Oliva (CEO, National Alliance to End Homelessness) offers such an authentic view of leadership. She centers in her values and confronts uncomfortable truths. Listen to the podcast to get a sense of leadership that is humbly confident (or, confidently humble - you choose).

Often, I speak of curiosity and courage. Consider that curiosity is the open mind to change what one believes to be true. Courage is the open will to act in uncertain and unpredictable situations. You might imagine the practice of AS UNEXPECTED leadership in which these two traits complement and strengthen each other. It may not be that confidence and humility are paradoxical. Rather, the paradox may be that individuals possessing the right balance are both curious and courageous and not as likely to move to higher level positions (see McKinsey article on why bad bosses rise).

To avoid Yamin’s hopeless oblivion and to be able to confront uncomfortable truths, you need to heighten your confident humility and enhance your curious courage by being:

• acutely aware of your biases and assumptions (a very worthwhile TedTalk by Valerie Alexander), 

• committed to listening and learning from a diversity of voices (read, at least, this article), and

• poised to be reactive and adaptable (HBR provides a good primer).

Saddle up! Your wise horse/limping mule awaits!