Insight From Proverbs: Accepting Correction

When we talk about insights, I love the book of Proverbs. Solomon asked for wisdom and this is a record of his wise sayings to his adult son. Proverbs 17:10 says, “A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.” I think rather than this being addressed to the person doing the rebuking, this is addressed to all of us. Are we willing to take correction? All of us are imperfect. We don’t measure up to our own standards, much less the ones other people expect of us. And of course people expect leaders to be held to a higher standard.

Consider:

Am I willing to be corrected?

Am I willing to apologize?

How long has it been since someone corrected me and I thanked them for their candor?

Or do we put a shell of protection around ourselves? Do we ask others to tiptoe around us? Do we make it easy for someone to challenge us? Or does it take a heroic act of courage for someone on your team to speak up and tell you something you need to hear? Wise people are people that allow a rebuke, a correction, a suggestion to go in deeply and make an impact on their behavior.

---

–Jim Wiginton is the founder and managing partner of Broad Insights, an international business coaching firm based in Greenville, South Carolina. Jim possesses a wealth of business expertise, much of it gained as an executive for Michelin North America, Plastic Omnium, and Alfmeier Corporation. He has more than 5,000 hours of coaching experience, and a Doctorate of Business Administration from Paris School of Business.