The sage is a leader is a leader who focuses on systems and whose main operating principal is creating order.

So what does that mean?

As described in “From Sage to Artisan”, as a sage leader, you need to be interested in the big picture. You need to examine the entire system, viewing everything within your sphere of knowledge as a piece in the puzzle, getting excited when you find new pieces that fit in the puzzle and add clarity to the big picture.

In order to locate all the pieces, you need to ask questions! You need to be inquisitive, observant, and continuously look for connections.

However, it is important to note that as a sage leader, you do not ask questions to increase uncertainty or procrastinate but rather to create a complete big picture. This allows you to make the best decision based on a complete set of information.

Think about this: It’s November and you have been performing above expectations in your job throughout the year.

However, this month, you missed a project deadline and had a conversation with your manager. Next month is your yearly evaluation.

How would you feel if your manager rated you as “Does Not Meet Expectations” referencing the deadline you missed in November without considering any of your other projects completed?

If your boss is a sage leader, then you have nothing to worry about. The sage leader will be able to evaluate you based on your entire career and not only the latest missed deadline.

If you don’t have a sage leader for a manager, then you have your work cut out for you.

The strengths of the sage emerge as he/she embraces challenges and utilizes them to generate ideas and identify best path forward. The sage leader is not intimidated with chaos or uncertainty and is able to create an environment where he/she can flourish, shine and be a leader.

If this sounds like a role you would enjoy, skills you will need to nourish, develop, or acquire include:

• Resourcefulness in utilizing past experiences and constantly “connecting the dots”
• Building a database of knowledge in fields related to your field of expertise
• Encouraging and sponsoring brain storming sessions to generate ideas and build a complete picture of the puzzle

However, the sage leader is not beyond mistakes and the role can be taken to an extreme where it can become a hindrance. To avoid that, always evaluate your skills and ensure that you don’t:

• Lose interest in important details while pursuing the big picture
• Use searching for puzzle pieces as an excuse to procrastinate
• Forget about the people – your colleagues and team members. The wheels of the best crafted system will reach a halt without the right people behind them

The sage is a dynamic leader, providing his/her organization with creative solutions and ultimately a competitive edge by being aware of the continuously evolving environment.

However, if the sage leader does not fit your personality or skills, stay tuned. There are other leadership styles to explore as they are defined in the book “From Sage to Artisan”. Remember though, developing skills for areas of low preference is important for being a well rounded leader.

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