Throughout our careers and lives, we constantly absorb knowledge and insights from the people we encounter. This process of learning from others is fundamental to personal and professional growth. Reflecting on this, many individuals have shared profound pieces of advice and wisdom that have shaped their paths. But how else can we express the concept of learning from these experiences and mentors? Exploring “Other Words For Learned From” can enrich our vocabulary and allow for more nuanced and impactful communication about the wisdom we gain.
The following reflections are drawn from a career rich with interactions, where valuable lessons were gleaned from colleagues, leaders, and even insightful authors. These aren’t just about mimicking positive traits or avoiding negative ones; they are about actively seeking and internalizing the wisdom around us. This compilation, while not exhaustive, highlights memorable and impactful advice that has resonated over time, often embodying common sense with a touch of humor.
Words of Wisdom from Professional Journeys
“Never, ever lose your temper. But if you do, make it memorable.” This powerful statement, attributed to Springfield Mayor Ken McClure, encapsulates a vital aspect of professional conduct. It’s a reminder to maintain composure, but also to recognize that impactful moments sometimes require a strong, albeit controlled, reaction. This advice, shared during his time as Chief of Staff to Governor Matt Blunt and later as vice president at Missouri State University, highlights the strategic use of even negative emotions.
Dr. Jim Meyer, a former vice president at Emporia State University, instilled a different kind of wisdom: “Work hard and no surprises.” During the author’s tenure from 1976-86, these simple words became guiding principles. This philosophy emphasizes diligence and predictability, essential for stability and trust in any professional environment. Later, when the author transitioned to governmental relations, Dr. Meyer offered another gem: “Congratulations. You will be working with your school’s biggest donor.” This perspective shift was crucial, framing governmental relations not as a bureaucratic hurdle, but as a vital partnership.
Greg Onstot, another vice president from Missouri State University, where the author worked from 1986 to 2007, was known for his colorful and insightful analogies. Phrases like, “He’s like a lost ball in the tall weeds,” delivered with humor, effectively painted vivid pictures of situations and personalities. His advice, “You want to be right, not dead-right,” is a practical lesson in compromise, echoing the sentiment of “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.” These sayings, though lighthearted, carried significant weight, teaching valuable lessons in communication and negotiation.
Dr. Jim Baker, also from Missouri State University, offered customer-centric wisdom: “The customer isn’t always right, but the customer is always the customer.” This emphasizes the importance of perspective and service, reminding us to prioritize the relationship even when disagreements arise. This principle extends beyond business, applicable to interactions with students, legislators, family, and anyone we serve.
Presidential Perspectives: Leadership Insights
Working with university presidents provided a different echelon of insights, particularly into leadership and decision-making. The late Dr. John Keiser, Missouri State president from 1993-2005, was a master of concise truisms. “The more you do, the more you will be asked to do,” speaks to the nature of responsibility and the snowball effect of taking initiative. “It’s always easy when someone else is doing it,” offers a humorous yet poignant observation about perspective and workload. His warning, “Don’t let a five-dollar decision become a million-dollar headache,” underscores the importance of addressing small issues before they escalate.
Dr. Keiser also shared advice from his grandfather: “Remember, it ain’t your money you’re spending.” This grounded perspective on financial responsibility is crucial for anyone in leadership, especially when managing institutional resources. His stark statement, “It is possible to be fired for the right reasons,” is a sobering reminder that ethical integrity sometimes necessitates difficult stances.
Dr. Michael Nietzel, president from 2005-10, brought a different, often unconventional, approach. His father’s advice, relayed to the author’s father, Leon Kincaid: “Most things have been said and done already, so to stand out and be memorable, you have to find a different way of saying and doing things,” perfectly encapsulates Dr. Nietzel’s style.
Dr. Nietzel’s anecdote about choosing a college – “I wanted to go to Grinnell, but my dad wanted me to go to Wheaton. So, we compromised. I went to Wheaton.” – illustrates his witty and often paradoxical communication style. Similarly, his description of provost models: “If you’ve seen one provost model, you’ve seen one provost model,” cleverly highlights the uniqueness and context-specificity of organizational structures.
In his book “Degrees and Pedigrees,” Dr. Nietzel challenged conventional thinking about success, using the example of college dropouts like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. He cautioned against generalizing from outliers: “But to suggest that their highly unusual paths to success are a preferred or reasonable career strategy over earning a college degree simply ignores the evidence. It’s like pointing (down) to Muggsy Bogues and saying that being tall is not important in the NBA.” This analogy powerfully emphasizes the importance of considering the norm, not just the exceptions.
Insights from Authors and Thought Leaders: Broader Perspectives
Beyond professional circles, wisdom can be gleaned from authors and speakers who offer broader perspectives on management and life. Peter Drucker, a renowned management consultant, provided numerous insightful quotes. “Look out the window, not in the mirror,” encourages external focus and awareness. “Manners are the lubricating oil of an organization,” highlights the importance of interpersonal skills for smooth operations. “If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old,” addresses the challenge of organizational change and the need to shed outdated practices. “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things,” distinguishes between efficiency and effectiveness. “Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” emphasizes the primacy of organizational culture over strategic plans. And perhaps most impactfully, “Give up the past for the future,” a call to action for shedding unnecessary burdens and embracing forward momentum.
Tom Peters, known for “In Search of Excellence,” emphasizes the human element in success. His six-word summary of consulting, “Hard is soft. Soft is hard,” underscores that while tangible metrics are important, “soft skills” like caring and training are often the more challenging and crucial drivers of organizational success. He advises, “Listen to everyone. Ideas come from everywhere,” promoting inclusivity and open-mindedness. His mantra, “distinct… or extinct,” highlights the need for differentiation in a competitive landscape. And his observation, “There are few things that will take you further in life, than your ability to make a good presentation,” emphasizes the power of effective communication.
Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Successful People” offers a framework for personal effectiveness, with “Seek first to understand, then to be understood” standing out as particularly impactful for interpersonal relationships and effective communication. Finally, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s powerful quote, “What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you are saying,” serves as a constant reminder of the importance of aligning actions with words and leading by example.
In conclusion, “learned from” can be expressed in myriad ways: gleaned, absorbed, derived, cultivated, assimilated, imbibed, acquired, gained, extracted, and distilled, among others. Each of these words offers a slightly different nuance to the act of learning and gaining wisdom. The insights shared here, learned from a diverse group of individuals, offer valuable lessons for navigating professional and personal life. By actively seeking and reflecting upon these lessons, and by expanding our vocabulary to articulate the nuances of learning, we can enrich our understanding and application of wisdom in our own lives.
