The Definition and Evolution of Professional Wisdom: The Paths and Processes of Mentoring and Meandering

By Mark Gorkin, LICSW, the “Stress Doc” ™

[Adapted from my article first published in PCMA Capital Chapter, The Chatter, June 2003]

While exploring a theme during an association committee meeting, two thought-provoking questions were posed: What is “professional wisdom” and how does one gain the same? The Webster’s Third New International Dictionary helps launch an investigation. To summarize, as an adjective, “professional” refers to an individual engaged in an occupation requiring a high level of training and proficiency. The role is characterized by technical and/or ethical standards, such that this individual demonstrates a fine artistry or workmanship based on education, the application of sound knowledge, conscientiousness and experience.

“Wisdom” seemingly emerges from a professional foundation or, at least, reaches some maturity through “hard-earned,” growing pains process or journey that enriches both the head and the heart. Wisdom is:
1) Accumulated information or lore, or instinctive adaptation;
2) The intelligent application of learning; that is, the ability to discern inner qualities and essential relationships; and,
3) Characterized by integrity and character.

Perhaps Benjamin Franklin said it best: “The mouth of a wise man is in his heart.”

Now that we have defined our terms, let’s identify two wisdom-generating paths and processes – “mentoring” and “meandering.” While posited separately, clearly, these “M & M”s can come together and nourish a life journey. And, like everything else, overdosing on these “M & M”s can have consequences:

1. Mentoring. Most of us can think of a knowledgeable and understanding, more senior supervisor or colleague (or relative, teacher, coach, therapist, etc.) who took us under his or her wing. This individual shared ideas and preached from experience, helped us bathe wounds or got us back on our feet during or after daunting learning curve trials. He or she also provided practical shortcuts based on greater time on the battle lines. For many, this person becomes a role model significantly influencing both our professional substance and communication style, especially in those identify-forming years. One caveat: totally embracing a mentor’s way – because one sees the mentor as God-like or because it’s easier following a familiar or safe trail – may hinder the development of one’s own individuality and confidence to explore.

Let me provide an example. When I first moved to Washington, DC in 1990, after sixteen years in New Orleans, I was hungry for connecting with another collection of oddballs and outcasts. In the Big Easy, all it took was strolling down the street; in DC I had to join an “Artists Support Group.” One of the mind-opening discoveries was the fact that many of the visual artists, with BFAs and MFAs, were lamenting the loss of their distinct visual style and “voice.” These folks believed they had aligned too closely with a graduate advisor or other faculty member, forsaking much of their previous interests, perspectives or style. Also, for practical reasons many had crossed the border from fine to commercial/graphic arts. Now, often struggling with a seemingly mid-career malaise or burnout, they wanted to return to their creative roots and rediscover a vehicle for personal if not singular artistic expression.

Now consider this anti-academic saga. As a speaker and writer, my odyssey began by dropping out of the Tulane University School of Social Work doctoral program in 1981. A mystical-like experience propelled me to attempt a wildly creative dissertation topic that was, frankly, “off the academic wall.” (In hindsight, I understand why my advisors were skeptical. At the time I wasn’t going to let those conservative academics stifle this budding talent.) Eventually, I burnt out on the process, dropped out of the program and was on my own – a state both scary and exhilarating. My professional canvas was blank. How was I going to fill it? There were two silver linings: I was ready to become an expert on stress and burnout (I may be hard-headed but I’m no dummy) and New Orleans definitely needed a “Stress Doc” ™.

In the early ‘80s, oil had gone bust and the state of Louisiana had passed West Virginia as the most economically depressed state in the union. The burnt out “Bayou State” was ready for an expert who could so personally and vividly talk about the experience of the “erosive spiral.” Through sheer “chutzpah,” I broke into radio and TV and began experimenting with and developing my own style of brief essays that blended good psychology with irreverent wit (my “psychohumorist” ™ voice), memorable phraseology (“Practice Safe Stress” ™) and fast-paced energy. For example, one early radio essay title was: “Breaking out of a hell of a Shell or Don’t Feel Too Sorry for Humpty Dumpty…He Needed to Hit Bottom.”

Actually, these substance and style attributes, supplemented by an ability to generate engaging and fun group exercises for audiences of any size, over time led to designing uncommon programming as a speaker and workshop leader. As a former girl friend noted, I have been on “the journey of a word artist.” This example of the dangers of mentoring and, conversely, the opportunities that opened once outside of academia, leads to the second path for gaining professional wisdom.

2. Meandering. In contrast to mentoring, one may evolve skills, experience and ultimately, some wisdom, less by coaching and more by on the job training, especially when (mostly) flying solo. A meandering learning curve, not surprisingly, is often of longer duration, with unexpected detours and learning paths and has greater frequency of errors. Self-defeating consequences may arise: one can get lost or stuck when rigidly defying authority or custom or always having to do it “my way.” Still there may be two distinctly positive outcomes: a) the development of a more individual, fresh and authentic voice or uncommon modus operandi and b) a greater willingness to take risks and a begrudging acceptance of the need for and, even, value of both failing and of challenging the conventional. Solitary meandering may well help foster inner resources and resolve.

Evolution and “The Secret of Wisdom”

Whether through mentoring or meandering, when character develops in the course of meaningful, give-and-take interaction or integrity builds from soul-searching solitude, and these maturational markers gradually learn to dance together, here is a path and process for personal-professional evolution and wisdom. As Jonas Salk, one of the groundbreaking discoverers of the Polio Vaccine, observed: Evolution is about getting up one more time than we fall down, being courageous one more time than we are fearful, trusting just one more time than being anxious. And along with a sense of persistence, everyday struggle and appreciation for even small triumphs is the need for serenity: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can...and the wisdom to know where to hide the bodies." No...Just kidding. ;-) "And the wisdom to know the difference." And the older I get, the more profound "The Serenity Prayer" seems. Yet, a fundamental question remains: how the heck do you get the wisdom? Okay, folks. Here it is...The Secret of Wisdom.

Once there was a young woman who heard that an old wise woman had the secret of wisdom. The young woman was determined to track the old woman down. After traveling many months, the young woman found the old woman in a cave. She entered and addressed the old woman: "Old Wise Woman, I hear you have The Secret of Wisdom. Would you share it with me? The old woman looked at the youth and said, "Yes, you seem sincere. The Secret of Wisdom is good judgment." "Good judgment, of course," said the youth, thanked her mentor, and started to leave. However, as she got to the entrance of the cave she paused, turned back and said, "Old Woman, I feel funny, but, if I may ask, how does one obtain good judgment?" "That's a good question," said the sage. "One obtains good judgment through experience." "Experience, of course," said the young seeker, and proceeded to leave. But once again she stopped in her tracks, and humbly walked back to her mentor. "Old Woman," said the young woman, "I feel foolish, but I have to ask: How does one obtain experience?" The old woman paused, nodded her head, and then proceeded: "Now you have reached the right question. How does one obtain experience?. . . Through bad judgment!"

Remember, errors of judgment or design rarely consign one to a state of incompetence; they more likely reveal inexperience or immaturity, perhaps even boldness. Our so-called "failures" can be channeled as guiding streams (okay, sometimes raging rivers) of opportunity and experience that ultimately enrich – widen, deepen and expand – the risk-taking passage...If we can just immerse ourselves in these unpredictably roiling yet so often rejuvenating waters. Here are words that spur the striving for higher levels of professionalism and wisdom and also help us all…Practice Safe Stress!

Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is an acclaimed keynote and kickoff speaker and "Motivational Humorist" known for his interactive, inspiring and FUN speaking and workshop programs. In addition, the "Doc" is a team building and organizational development consultant for a variety of govt. agencies, corporations and non-profits and is AOL's "Online Psychohumorist" ™. Mark is an Adjunct Professor, No. VA (NOVA) Community College and currently he is leading "Stress, Team Building and Humor" programs for the 1st Cavalry and 4th Infantry Divisions, Ft. Hood, Texas. A former Stress and Conflict Consultant for the US Postal Service, the Stress Doc is the author of Practice Safe Stress and of The Four Faces of Anger. See his award-winning, USA Today Online "HotSite" – www.stressdoc.com -- called a "workplace resource" by National Public Radio (NPR). For more info on the Doc's "Practice Safe Stress" programs or to receive his free e-newsletter, email stressdoc@aol.com or call 301-875-2567.