Dear Abbe,
Our company's HR group has hired a “Wisdom Consultant” to come in and work with our managers. Do they have some way of imparting whatever wisdom they believe they have to our leadership? Are you familiar with this kind of consultation work? What should we expect from our managers after this consultation?
Concerned in Clearwater
Dear Concerned,
Ach! Weisheit … Unsinn … sometimes it all comes from the same place. Wisdom consultants, gurus, sages, and advisors have been around for millennia. Wisdom is a rare commodity obtained through experience and discernment. Unfortunately experience and discernment have also been rare commodities. So, I can understand your concern. A friend of mine who knew the second wife of a purported cousin of Shakespeare is fond of quoting the well-known adage, “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows he is a fool.” I am familiar with “wisdom consultation” work, though back in the day we called it “knocking some sense” into them. As to what your managers should expect, well what else? Large invoices and “I'm sorry, if you didn't understand the wisdom I imparted, and you failed to properly implement. I cannot be held responsible.” Follow-up Wisdom incurs additional fees. I've always just followed my hometown saying, “The wise man satisfies different thirsts at different fountains.”
Need to import Herr Abbe at high fees to tell people what you've been telling them for free for the last several years? Contact his personal Time Management Consultant at [email protected].
