More Than Smart, Wisdom Sets You Apart

“Human beings are no more intelligent than we were thirty thousand years ago. Our cumulative knowledge has grown by leaps and bounds…but knowledge is not the same thing as intelligence, which is still not the same thing as wisdom.”
— John Mark Comer, Live No Lies

Let’s begin with a few Oxford Dictionary definitions:

• Knowledge: “facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.”
• Intelligence: “the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.”
• Wisdom: “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.”

Here’s an analogy to drive home (pun intended) the differences : Knowledge is like a map. Intelligence is the ability to read it. Wisdom is knowing the best route to take—and when to take it.

The Internet Knowledge Explosion

When the internet arrived, it blew the doors off traditional access to knowledge. Suddenly, you could find an answer to almost anything, anytime, anywhere. And now, with AI, we’re supercharging intelligence—understanding how to acquire and apply knowledge faster than ever.

But are we using that intelligence wisely?

The Future of Knowledge

Futurist Gerd Leonhard, referencing Buckminster Fuller’s Knowledge Doubling Curve, shared this striking insight:

“Until 1900, human knowledge doubled every century. After World War II, it doubled every 25 years. Today, knowledge is doubling every 13 months—and with the growth of the Internet of Things, it may soon double every 12 hours.”

We’re not short on information. And now, with the advent of AI, we’re certainly not lacking the tools to apply it. But wisdom? That’s still rare—and desperately needed.

Doubt that? Just look around. Despite all our progress, many people across the globe still struggle to meet basic needs like employment, healthcare, and food. If intelligence alone solved problems, we’d be in a much better place.

Intelligence gets you hired but wisdom gets you followers.

Wisdom is earned. It’s not about knowing a lot—it’s about learning through experience, reflection, failure, and growth. It’s what inspires trust and confidence in others.

When I teach about influence and persuasion, someone almost always says, “This feels like common sense.” And my reply is always the same:

“There’s a difference between knowing and doing. Wisdom is the application of knowledge.”

Those who stick with me with an open mind start to realize, even though they “know” certain things when it comes to influence, there are nuances they never considered, and those small changes can lead to big differences when it comes to hearing “Yes!” It can be a game-changer in sales, leadership, and relationships.

So, here’s a question for you to consider as you move through your week:

Am I operating today from knowledge, intelligence, or wisdom?

Edited by ChatGPT

Brian Ahearn

Brian Ahearn is the Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE and a faculty member at the Cialdini Institute.

An author, TEDx speaker, international trainer, coach, and consultant, Brian helps clients apply influence in everyday situations to boost results.

As one of only a dozen Cialdini Method Certified Trainers in the world, Brian was personally trained and endorsed by Robert Cialdini, Ph.D., the most cited living social psychologist on the science of ethical influence.

Brian’s first book, Influence PEOPLE, was named one of the 100 Best Influence Books of All Time by Book Authority. His follow-up, Persuasive Selling for Relationship Driven Insurance Agents, was an Amazon new release bestseller. His latest book, The Influencer: Secrets to Success and Happiness, is a business parable designed to teach you how to use influence at home and the office.

Brian’s LinkedIn courses on persuasive selling and coaching have been viewed by more than 750,000 people around the world. His TEDx Talk on pre-suasion has more than a million views!