“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”
~Aristotle
Do you know how underground pipes are laid? With the use of heavy construction machinery called the Pipelayer.
A Pipelayer is around 15 feet tall and is used to install heavy pipes that weigh several tons.
During installation, a pipelayer machine is used for lifting and installing heavy pipes in trenches and underground systems to transport clean water and manage sewage systems.
There is an interesting part of this machine called the ‘Counterweight’. It is attached to the rear end and is designed to provide stability and balance while lifting and installing massively huge pipes. Since the pipes are huge and heavy, the machine might lose its balance while lifting and laying down these pipes. This is why a Counterweight is placed at the rear end of the pipelayer.
Similarly, in a leadership journey, a leader faces many situations where he or she must act with compassion and wisdom, both balancing the weight of each other.
But what is the significance of compassion and wisdom put together? How does it help a leader? Allow me to further elaborate on this through some of these amazing scenes in this political thriller and drama series called ‘Designated Survivor’:
Speechwriter: “Yeah, you mean maybe he’ll realize he has no business running the country? That he should just step aside, maybe let one of the generals take over, or the CIA Director, somebody who actually knows what the hell they’re doing? … Kirkland’s a follower. We need a Leader.”
Walking out of the toilet, the speechwriter realizes he is mocking the acting president in front of the man himself.
Speechwriter: “Uh, Mr President.”
Acting President, Kirkman: “Do you really believe everything you just said? You really think I should step down?”
Speechwriter: “I do.”
Acting President, Kirkman: “You may be right. But for now, I’m all you’ve got, and you have… exactly 52 minutes to write a speech convincing the American people that that’s a good thing.”
Designated Survivor is about a low-level cabinet member, Tom Kirkman. Due to a catastrophic attack on the Capitol building, everyone in the line ahead of Kirkman is wiped out, leaving him to become the President of the United States. As he grapples with security threats, and political intrigue, and searches for the one responsible for the attack, his untested leadership skills are put to the test.
The lingering thoughts in the minds of many are evident as he listens to a speechwriter talk about him in the men’s room. However, as Kirkman struggles with the sudden jump to the presidency, he becomes aware that he is now at the top, and that it is time to step up.
If you notice, he doesn’t run down the speechwriter for his harsh words or even saying his name wrong. Instead, he agrees with the speechwriter that he probably should step down but at the same time should not give up so easily.
Kirkman’s journey, however, does not end here. He certainly has a long way to go but with some people who are prepared to lift his spirits and give him the necessary boost he requires.
President Kirkman: “435 representatives, 100 senators, and 9 justices… And now it’s just down to the two of us.”
Congresswoman: “I know… you don’t know whether to feel ashamed or grateful to be alive.”
President Kirkman: “Apologetic. To the American people for being stuck with me as their leader. I mean, let’s face it, the pundits might be right.”
Congresswoman: “Mr President. Do you know what I did this morning, sir? I cried and then I prayed. Do you know when was the last time I did those two things?”
President Kirkman: “9/11”
Congresswoman: “Nobody thought we could get through it back then, but we did. And nobody thinks we can get through it now, but we will. This is your house now. So, make it your own. Whatever you need, just ask. Republican, Democrat, Independent… It doesn’t matter anymore. We’re all Americans today.”
While President Kirkman starts to question his leadership role, he is reminded that he is in charge. At the same time, as he gains awareness of his role as president, his character surfaces with compassion for the victims. After the attack on the capitol building, emotions run high but Kirkman does not let his or anyone else’s emotions drive decisions and actions. Here’s another example of how Kirkman implements compassion and wisdom at the same time.
President Kirkman: “75%?”
General Cochrane: “That’s as high as it gets when it comes to a call like this.”
President Kirkman: “75 is still a ‘C’ on a test, General.”
General Cochrane: “This is not a test. This is war.”
President Kirkman: “All the more reason to get it right, don’t you think?”
General Cochrane: “Sir, I know we got off on the wrong foot. You did a fine job staving off the Iranians last night. But I am advising you that the country is on the brink, and talk will not work here. America is demanding action and I am giving you an enemy we can kill.”
President Kirkman: “You think I don’t want to strike back against the people who did this? I lost colleagues, friends, people I love. I want to find every single person involved in this attack from planning to execution and rip them limb from limb, which is why I need to know exactly who did this. Come back to me with more than 75%, and I’ll launch the damn missiles myself.”
It’s a clear scene of how a leader, in this case, President Kirkman, expresses a strong desire for revenge. However, he also prioritizes understanding who is responsible for the attack on the Capitol building. He shows compassion for the victims alongside a desire to prevent future tragedies instead of going on a war rampage.
Kirkman recognizes the gravity of launching a military attack. He questions the intel on 75% claimed regarding who the enemy might be and emphasizes the need for more information before deciding with such significant consequences.
He embodies the ideals of compassion and wisdom as he acknowledges the pain but also prioritizes a measured response that should solely be based on accurate information. Therefore, as a leader with compassionate wisdom, he seeks a solution that addresses both the grief and the need for justice.
The Counterweight Wings of a leader’s flight
Compassion is one wing of a flight while wisdom is the second wing that supports a proper take-off for a successful leadership journey. Any leader who works with both has, what I call, Compassionate Wisdom. With this, one can make informed decisions without getting too attached to a situation, its evocative feelings, or the outcome.
Going back to the pipelayer counterweight component, we understand the significance. Just as the counterweight on a pipelayer machine – compassion and wisdom act as counterweights to each other. When put together, their intensity is balanced, creating an environment to make informed decisions as a leader, especially during complex situations like rough terrains where pipelayer machines have to be operated.
I would like to add that there is another part of the Pipelayer machine called the ‘Crawler Tracks’. These tracks are built in place of wheels. So, the machine does not run on wheels but on crawler tracks which helps in maneuvering its movement from one point to another.
Consider these crawler tracks as your Spiritual Quotient that helps you optimize the counterweight balance of compassionate wisdom.
What helps leaders deal with the rough terrain of their challenges is that, just like the crawler tracks, their high SiQ levels can support and strengthen the counterweight of compassion and wisdom at any time.
Hence, the only way to increase one’s ability of Compassionate Wisdom is by enhancing one’s Spiritual Quotient (SiQ). A strong sense of compassion with deep wisdom is possible only with a heightened SiQ.
Your spiritual quotient is the base you can leverage to be more compassionate as a leader while you deal with all situations with the wisdom you have gained as a leader. No longer must you get too attached to a situation and let it drive you. Rather deal with people and situations objectively through the lens of compassionate wisdom.
In ‘Alice Fell’, William Wordsworth narrates the story of a little orphan in his poem. He shows her an act of compassion. This helps lift her spirits, making her forget for a brief moment that she struggles with poverty and has no family. However, compassion with wisdom is what is shown in this poem, the last three stanzas of which I share here:
The chaise drove on; our journey’s end
Was nigh; and, sitting by my side,
As if she had lost her only friend
She wept, nor would be pacified.
Up to the tavern-door we post;
Of Alice and her grief I told;
And I gave money to the host,
To buy a new cloak for the old.
“And let it be of duffil grey,
As warm a cloak as man can sell!”
Proud creature was she the next day,
The little orphan, Alice Fell!
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