《00177_The_Wise_Leader》.pdf

strategy+business issue 71 Summer 2013 The Wise Leader Practical wisdom in business comes from combining the broad view with the narrow, and opportunity with constraint. by PraSa d ka iPa a nd navi ra djou reprint 00177 ll e e a a d d i i n n never have too much of it in a com- tive. They relish high-stakes games, g g i d i The Wise pany. Smart leaders can see patterns and display an aggressive, winner- d e e a in seemingly random information, take-all mentality. Bill Gates exem- a s s Leader enabling them to take decisive ac- plified this form of leadership when tion while their peers are still assess- he took Microsoft from a college Practical wisdom in ing a situation, and to make the stra- dropout’s startup in 1976 to a com- tegic choices that bring competitive pany with a market capitalization of business comes from advantage. But there are two catego- more than US$616 billion by 1999. combining the broad ries of smartness, both of which But these leaders’ expeditious and view with the narrow, carry benefits and risks. Most exec- sometimes self-centered approach to and opportunity with utives favor one or the other, and decision making can also cause constraint. that makes it more difficult for them trouble. Gates learned this in 1998, to lead.