Psychology of Leaders and Leadership, Vol 26(2), May 2023, 115-126; doi:10.1037/mgr0000141
Narratives of wisdom exemplars facilitate comprehension of the cognitive and behavioral constituents that make up wisdom. The pedagogical significance of narratives featuring wisdom exemplars is beyond dispute. The present study investigated the impact of narratives featuring wise leaders on the cultivation of wisdom in leadership situations. The research methodology involved a randomized controlled experiment with business students as participants. The experimental group was prompted to nominate a wise leader, narrate their story, and reflect on it. Conversely, the control condition did not require participants to partake in these activities. Subsequently, both groups were prompted to envision a hypothetical conflict scenario within a professional environment and provide a response from a leadership standpoint. The findings of this study reveal that recounting the narratives of exemplary wise leaders contributes to the augmentation of three prevalent facets of wise thinking: compromise, intellectual humility, and others’ perspectives. These results hold significant implications for educators and organizations seeking to improve the efficacy of leadership training initiatives and foster the growth of wise leaders capable of navigating intricate professional situations. The study’s limitations and potential avenues for future research are discussed in the concluding section. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)