Do Programmers Confuse Intelligence with WISDOM?
Soft Skills • Software Development Career Advice
Why do people in tech careers often mistake intelligence for wisdom, and why is our industry so prone to making unwise decisions?
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Wisdom vs. Intelligence in Programming: Why Wisdom Is the Key to Long-Term Success
In programming, we often pride ourselves on our intelligence. We solve complex problems, write efficient code, and create innovative solutions. But there’s another quality that’s often overlooked and is even more valuable than intelligence—wisdom.
In this episode, I want to explore the difference between intelligence and wisdom, how wisdom plays an essential role in our tech careers, and how cultivating wisdom can help you achieve a more balanced, healthy, and fulfilling life as a programmer.
Intelligence vs. Wisdom: What’s the Difference?
Let’s start by defining these two terms.
Intelligence is the ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge. It’s the skill you acquire from books, courses, mentorship, and practice. If you’re learning a new programming language or framework, you’re tapping into intelligence to gain that knowledge and apply it in your work.
Wisdom, on the other hand, is knowing what to do when the rules don’t apply. It’s often gained through experience, intuition, and sound judgment. Wisdom allows you to make decisions when there’s no clear right answer, when you’re faced with ethical dilemmas, or when you have to navigate complex social dynamics at work.
In tech, we often mistake intelligence for wisdom. We think that being good at solving coding problems means we’re good at making decisions in other areas of life. But intelligence can only take you so far—wisdom is what will help you make the tough calls, especially when there’s no rulebook.
Why Programmers Often Confuse Intelligence with Wisdom
Problem Solving vs. Broader Insight
Programmers are often seen as highly intelligent because they can solve technical problems. But solving a coding issue doesn’t necessarily translate to broader insight or good judgment in other areas. I’ve seen many brilliant developers who are great at writing code but struggle when it comes to making decisions about career moves, managing projects, or dealing with interpersonal conflicts at work.
Prioritizing Speed Over Sustainability
In the tech world, we often prioritize speed—whether it’s deploying a new feature, launching a product, or solving a bug. But fast solutions aren’t always the best long-term decisions. Wisdom comes into play when we step back and ask ourselves: “Is this decision good for the long run?” Many poor decisions in the tech industry come from focusing on short-term gains rather than thinking about the long-term consequences.
Specialization vs. Holistic Thinking
In our industry, we tend to emphasize specialization—becoming an expert in one programming language, framework, or area of tech. But wisdom involves seeing the big picture. Being highly skilled in one area of programming doesn’t necessarily make you wise about software development as a whole. To cultivate wisdom, you need to broaden your perspective and consider how different aspects of development—like product management, UX, architecture, and ethics—interact with each other.
How a Lack of Wisdom Hurts Programmers
Ignoring wisdom in tech can have serious consequences, both for your career and for the industry as a whole.
Ethical Implications
One of the most glaring examples of where wisdom is needed in tech is with the rise of artificial intelligence. Companies are racing to develop AI technologies, driven by the potential for massive profits. But the ethical implications are enormous. What happens when AI is used irresponsibly?
We’ve already seen how social media platforms, another tech innovation, have had unintended consequences on mental health, privacy, and societal well-being. Without wisdom, the decisions we make today can have long-term negative impacts on our lives and society.
Short-Term Thinking
Another way that a lack of wisdom shows up is in the prioritization of short-term gains. For example, automating jobs might seem like a great way to improve efficiency, but what are the broader consequences for people who lose their livelihoods? When companies merge and eliminate competition, innovation suffers. Wisdom asks us to consider these long-term effects and make decisions that benefit more than just the bottom line.
How to Cultivate Wisdom as a Programmer
Now that we’ve explored why wisdom is so important, let’s talk about how you can cultivate it in your tech career.
1. Expand Your Breadth of Knowledge
Don’t limit yourself to mastering one programming language or framework. Learn about other aspects of software development, such as product management, UX, and architecture. Gaining a broader perspective will help you see the bigger picture and make wiser decisions.
2. Get a Mentor
A mentor can help you navigate the complexities of your career, offering guidance and pointing out your blind spots. I can’t stress enough how important it is to learn from someone who’s already been through the challenges you’re facing. A mentor doesn’t just provide technical advice; they can help you think through the larger decisions in your career, where intelligence alone may not be enough.
3. Reflect and Be Mindful
Take time to reflect on your decisions. In tech, we often feel pressured to move fast, but some of the worst decisions I’ve made came from rushing. Step back, consider your options, and think through the consequences of your choices. Mindful reflection helps you draw on your experiences and make wiser, more informed decisions.
4. Seek Truth Outside of Tech
Don’t rely solely on technical knowledge when making decisions. Wisdom comes from seeking truth in a broader sense. For me, that truth comes from my faith and the Bible. For others, it may come from philosophy, psychology, or personal values. The key is to have a set of principles or ethics that guide your decisions when there’s no clear rulebook.
5. Engage with Non-Technical Communities
Wisdom is often gained through conversations and interactions with people outside your field. Engaging with non-technical communities can help you see things from a different perspective and bring fresh insights to your work. Don’t limit your learning to programming forums or tech conferences—seek wisdom from diverse sources.
The Value of Wisdom in Your Career
Ultimately, wisdom is what will carry you through the ups and downs of a tech career. Intelligence might help you get your foot in the door, but wisdom will help you navigate the complex decisions that come with career growth, changing technologies, and ethical dilemmas.
In my own experience, I’ve found that the times when I relied solely on intelligence—without considering the broader implications—were the times when I made the worst decisions. But when I took the time to reflect, sought advice from others, and looked beyond the immediate problem, I was able to make wiser, more sustainable choices.
About the THRIVING TECHNOLOGIST show
On YouTube and all major podcast networks, Jayme shares teamwork and leadership strategies, guidelines for healthy company culture, and stories about real projects so you can have a sustainable career in the software industry.
Jayme Edwards
A family man and veteran of nearly 40 software projects, Jayme experienced many wins and losses over his career as an architect and consultant.
Now he's coaching software developers, managers, and business owners to overcome challenges in the IT industry - so they keep growing.