Tuesday morning → one verse → one leadership thought → one question: What will you do differently?

Proverbs 1:3 — Seeing Clearly Enough to Act Wisely

Abridged version

“To receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice and equity.”

MY STORY — Where does this touch my life?

I remember running eye tests in remote villages in Nicaragua. Ron was the optician, and I helped with the Spanish. We would change a lens and ask, “Better or worse?” Almost every time, the answer was “Better.”

But it wasn’t always better. People were grateful and didn’t want to appear ungrateful. We learned to slow down, change the lenses again and gently check what we were being told.

Clear eyesight mattered. Women sewed in poor light, and families sorted damaged beans from their harvest before storage. Missed beans could rot and spoil months of food. Giving someone glasses wasn’t the goal; helping them see clearly was. That lesson went well beyond eyesight. We need the wisdom to know whether the good we are doing is actually helping.

KNOWLEDGE — One word worth knowing

The Hebrew word translated “equity” is מֵישָׁרִים — mêšārîm, carrying the sense of straightness, uprightness and fairness.

A lens can distort what someone sees. Gratitude can distort an answer. My desire to help can even distort my judgement. Proverbs connects wisdom with right and fair action: before I can act wisely, I need to see clearly.

UNDERSTANDING — Seeing it through Strengths

Gallup Strength: Restorative

Restorative notices what isn’t working and wants to put it right. I picture a pothole: while others find a way around it, Restorative stops to fill it so everyone can travel more easily tomorrow.

But eagerness to fix something can outrun understanding. In Nicaragua, we could have handed over the first pair of glasses that seemed to work and felt pleased with ourselves. Mature Restorative asks whether the real problem has been addressed.

Restorative sees the problem. Wisdom makes sure we’re seeing the right problem.

WISDOM — Turning insight into action

Covey: Habit 5 — Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

We had to listen beyond “Yes, that’s better.” Was their vision clearer, or were they trying to please us?

A team member says, “I understand.” A client says, “I’m fine.” Those words matter, but they may need another question. Understanding means being curious enough to discover what the answer actually means.

NEW TESTAMENT CONNECTION — James 1:22

James calls us to put what we hear into practice. Wisdom becomes visible in how we live: checking our assumptions, asking another question and changing our approach when needed.

What do I already know that I need to put into practice? The evidence of learning is what I do differently.

REFLECTION — Questions for professional supervision

• Where am I trying to fix something before fully understanding it?
• Whose answer am I accepting because it confirms what I hoped to hear?
• How will I know whether my help is actually helping?

WHAT WILL YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?

Before offering your next solution, slow down and ask one more question. Be willing to discover that your first understanding needs adjusting.

Good intentions want to help. Wisdom takes the time to see clearly.

THE VERSE FOCUS

Proverbs 1:1 — Identity: Do I know who I am and where I belong?
Proverbs 1:2 — Teachability: Am I still willing to be taught?
Proverbs 1:3 — Discernment: Am I seeing clearly enough to act wisely?

Identity gives me somewhere to stand. Teachability keeps me growing. Discernment helps me see what to do next.