Using Wisdom

I like stories, like the one below, that show interesting and creative ways of doing things or solving problems. The story below is a different way of seeking a resolution to a problem. To me the beginning of the story is about utilizing wisdom. It kind of reminds me of something Solomon would do.

 The full article is primarily about using persuasion to cure incivility. I think the question we should consider is can we, or will we, adopt this method, this attitude and the wisdom involved in it and include it in our repertoire?

 

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Persuasion as the Cure for Incivility

What if, instead of demonizing opponents, we took steps to persuade them?

By JOHN I. JENKINS

Appearing in the January 8, 2013 Wall Street Journal

Several decades ago, my predecessor as the president of the University of Notre Dame, the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, was presented with a dilemma. A Jewish student, after repeated hazing by some kids in his dorm, had left campus and gone home. After thinking it over, Father Hesburgh summoned the perpetrators. "Pack your bags," he told them. "Go find your friend. Either you persuade him to come back to Notre Dame, or you don't come back."

The approach worked for everyone concerned, and it may offer an idea for easing the incivility that marks much public discourse and leads to political stalemate. We need to try harder to persuade one another—to try to get people to change their minds.

Father Jenkins is president of the University of Notre Dame. His book "Conviction: The Power and Peril of Our Passionate Beliefs" will be published by Random House later this year.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323339704578173860563117812.html

Some observations about the first part of this article:

·         What this story presents is Father Hesburgh utilizing wisdom to solve a problem

·         That it may be possible to eliminate incivility

·         That people who disagree can be shown how to work together to solve a problem

·         That you as the leader can teach those who work for you to solve things simply