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​​​​​​​​​​LEADING WITH CHARACTER!
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​“Those people who develop the ability to continuously acquire
new and better forms of knowledge that they can apply
 to their work and to their lives will be the movers and
shakers in our society for the indefinite future.”
Brian Tracy

 Listen to Story 1.

Introduction 

It is said, “Knowledge is Power.” This quote certainly has a nice “ring” to it. After all, knowledge has enabled us to make the advancements in science and technology that we have been able to achieve. It has also made us far more capable, sophisticated, and productive beings on this earth. 

Knowledge is what allows us to drive cars instead of ride horses, it is what helps us survive far longer than our ancestors did, and knowledge can even prevent us from making the same mistakes we made in the past. Knowledge is the primary factor that clearly distinguishes the human race from the animals. 

Knowledge has given us the power to judge situations, decide between what is good and what is bad, and act in a manner that is beneficial for our society. It is important that we make the best use of the gift of knowledge, so that we achieve great heights in every domain of our lives. 

Since knowledge is the fuel which drives human life, gaining knowledge is considered by many to be a primary activity in preparing us for long and successful lives. 

“They don’t need to be no rocket scientist, but knowing the difference between ‘their’, ‘there’, and ‘they’re’ might be a great start.”
Unknown

Knowledge

Most people consider wisdom and knowledge to be the same thing and actually they are, but are better looked upon as two different sides of the same coin. Knowledge is nothing but the facts and concepts known by a person whereas wisdom is the combination of experience and knowledge, along with the power to apply them with soundness of judgement. Wisdom is really a synonym for advanced knowledge. 

Since wisdom (“advanced knowledge”) is made up of “basic knowledge” and experience, an examination of the three elements: Basic Knowledge, Experience, and Wisdom follows. 

Basic Knowledge - Knowledge can be defined as a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts, information, descriptions, or skills, and it can refer to a theoretical or a practical understanding of a subject.

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​Knowledge itself is good - the way that it is used is a different story altogether. Even if knowledge is not always beneficial, that does not make it bad. Knowledge is a tool, a tool that can be used for many things, both good and bad. The knowledge of how to create a nuclear bomb is the same knowledge as how to create a nuclear reactor. Is the knowledge of nuclear energy bad? No, it is the wielder of that knowledge in bad ways that is bad. 

What people do with knowledge, or as a result of it, does not say something about the knowledge that they have attained, it says something about the people and the actions they committed. “Good" knowledge can be used by bad people in bad ways. We should strive to gain as much knowledge as we can, but we must use it for the betterment of mankind.

Listen to Story 2​.

“The only real security that a man can have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability.”
Henry Ford 

Experience - Experience is defined as “the first-person effects or influence of an event or subject gained through involvement in or exposure to it.”

While knowledge emphasizes theory and the obtainment of information and ideas, experience stresses practice, or the application of knowledge over a prolonged period of time. In other words, experience comes with time, exposure, and practice. It is based on practical application of the facts, concepts, and theories of our basic knowledge. Experience is the act of exercising or challenging our knowledge in order to obtain wisdom. 

Although we can learn from the experiences of others, we don’t seem to be inclined to do so in many instances (e.g., “That stove is hot. Don’t touch it.”). We all would undoubtedly agree that we can gain wisdom from the experiences of others. Perhaps we should make a bigger effort to do so. 

Listen to Story 3​.

“A mind  that is stretched by a new experience
can never go back to its old dimensions.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. 

Wisdom – Wisdom is defined as the ability to use our knowledge and experience to make good judgments and decisions. 

Wisdom isn’t a virtue that is given to us at birth; it can only be acquired through experience. Any of us who are interested in trying new things, and reflecting on the resulting knowledge, has the ability to gain wisdom. By learning as much as we can, analyzing our experiences, and putting our increased knowledge to the test, we can become wiser. 

Wisdom is insight. It’s the ability to diagnose and to size up a situation where much is unknown, discerning what is wrong, and what might improve the situation. Wisdom is also intuition; it is what feels right when our conscious knowledge and experience appear limited. 

In our search for wisdom, we must also search for a way to assist those around us with what we’ve learned. So, we must be wise, share what we’ve learned with others, and help make the world a better place in which to live. 

Listen to Story 4​.

“A word from the wise - from those who have had experience in life - is far more valuable than many realize. If we are wise we will take it and make use of it, thus saving ourselves much time and grief.”

Dorothea S. Kopplin 

Conclusion 

Despite their differences in meaning and purpose, “basic knowledge” and experience can both be encapsulated in the term “advanced knowledge”. Advanced knowledge is the ability to think and act using basic knowledge, experience, common sense, understanding, and insight. Therefore, the term advanced knowledge encompasses both basic knowledge and experience within it. Advanced knowledge is commonly referred to as wisdom. 

One challenge we face, when it comes to obtaining knowledge, is trying to motivate ourselves. Sometimes we find ourselves completely stumped by what we should learn and why. Discovering our purposes in life, setting important goals to help us fulfill our purposes, and reaching for the applicable knowledge are great first steps in motivating ourselves to gain more knowledge. 

“Knowledge is power?” Perhaps not. Knowledge on its own is neutral, but the application of useful knowledge, now that is powerful. 

“Knowledge without application is simply knowledge. Applying the knowledge to one’s life is wisdom - and that is the ultimate virtue.”
Kasi Kaye Iliopoulos 

Listen to Story 5.

“The purpose of life is to become acquainted with the deepest recesses of a person’s own mind by reflecting upon what a person reads, witnesses, and personally experiences. Wisdom is a form of power. Lacking knowledge of the world and without comprehending the essence of humanity, we can never know the truth of our own being.”
Kilroy J. Oldster

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