LifeSmarts:
Essential Mindsets and Skillsets for Leading by Inspiring Example at Any Age
WHAT THE HECK ARE LIFESMARTS?
We all know the terms “Book Smarts” and “Street Smarts.”
Broadly speaking, Book Smarts = formal education and intellectual knowledge.
Street Smarts = survival and common-sense knowledge.
LifeSmarts = acquired wisdom knowledge.
Just surviving to a certain age does not necessarily equate wisdom, nor does receiving advanced degrees from prestigious universities.
In fact, many of our elders and intellectual scholars lack the essential interpersonal skills, behavioral habits, and social and emotional intelligence necessary for holistic work + life success and lasting contentment, nor do they possess an infallible inner compass that guides them to live an honorable life and to lead by inspiring example in whatever sphere of influence they have, both personally and professionally that naturally enlivens others to do the same.
LifeSmarts wisdom includes impeccable character, universal ethical and humane values, kindness and compassion, regular honest self-reflection, and living with unbreakable integrity - all of which can only be adopted, practiced, and embodied via the choices we make during the course of our entire lifetime.
I was delighted to recently learn via a March 11, 2026 article in Knowable Magazine titled "What is wisdom, and can it be taught?" that wisdom has been scientifically studied for over four decades. And while a singular means of measuring what human wisdom encompasses isn't possible (for good reason), there appear to be common themes that underscore my own description of what I call LifeSmarts wisdom. The diagram below comes from the work of Monika Ardelt, a University of Florida sociologist who teaches an undergraduate course called The Quest for Wisdom and Human Flourishing.
image courtesy of the University of Florida website
Teaching the integration of all three dimensions via a Whole Systems approach are foundational in my own teaching work.
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The Knowable Magazine article writes that Ardelt's "... perspective is an example of how practicing things like reflection, humility, compassion and listening to other points of view can make someone wiser — that is, more able to adopt a larger view, especially when relating to others, and work toward the best outcome for everyone involved."​​
Life Smarts are acquired and practiced everywhere you find yourself, every day of the year - not just when or where you feel like it - and include not just what you want to learn, but what you need to learn - and unlearn!
They are acquired by welcoming and actively engaging in every learning opportunity we face and the choices we make to navigate our way through ups and downs, wins and losses, joys and pains, and unforeseen twists and turns with the constant awareness and attitude that no matter what happens we all have the power to choose to either compulsively react or thoughtfully respond to whomever or whatever is in front of us at any given moment.
That choice shapes the outcome and the direction our path takes. It includes taking full and complete ownership for the impact of the energy of the thoughts, choices, actions, and behaviors we engage in during every situation, interaction, or moment with the full comprehension that there are no unimportant situations, interactions, or moments.
Life Smarts include leading by a conscious, purposeful example that reflects our character no matter where we are or who we are with - and that no one is more or less important than anyone else.
It requires deep reverence for the vulnerable psyches of those who look to us for guidance and never taking advantage of that need, as well as the courage to acknowledge we too may sometimes need help (and get it). It is choosing to end the patterns of unhealthy, unproductive and harmful (to others and ourselves) status quo.
Perhaps most importantly though, it is choosing to
play Big in Life.