The essence of prudence is practical wisdom. Now that sounds more interesting.  To be wise in a down-to-earth way, to decide what to do and when – and what not to do and why – feels business-like.  Having the prudence to decide to go to that meeting or to plan how to chair it – well, that could make a significant difference in the workplace.

Jennifer Fox Eades in her book ‘Celebrating Strengths’ recalls Aristotle’s definition of prudence:

The prudent individual is neither reckless nor rigid, neither impulsive or compulsive, but balanced and flexible. A prudent person is one who considers what life is for and how this may be best achieved, one who balances short term pleasures against long term goals.

The idea of taking time to make reflective choices, to imagine a future and work towards its attainment – that does sound like practical wisdom.  Add the concept of synchronicity and life becomes full of possibilities.  Synchronicity is the sense of going with the flow.  Sensing opportunities and being prepared to risk their exploration.

Joseph Jaworski, with Peter Senge, refer in their book ‘Synchronicity’ as it being the ‘inner path of leadership’.  It combines skills and experience with creativity and vision – all earthed in the reality of business and home life.  To put it another way, it’s prudence dressed up in colour, psychedelic and exciting, full of ‘what if’ and ‘I wonder…’.

Here’s to prudence and synchronicity – useful attributes in difficult times.

Note: I’ve added the two references to the 3D HR Book Store