Regret is a very real part of life. All of us would love to have a do-over in an action that led to some form of regret. Others of us regret our lack of courage to pursue a bold vision, mend a broken relationship, or try something new. What most of our regrets have in common is a short-sighted lack of wisdom.

The same is true in leadership. Our wisdom gap as leaders often creates a reservoir of regret that leaves us disappointed, remorseful, or wondering, What if?

But a closer look at the book of Proverbs offers us a better path forward — a wise path that grows brighter each day. King Solomon said, “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble” (Proverbs 4:18–19).

Notice, the wise path of righteousness grows brighter each day, but the foolish path of wickedness gets darker and darker. That raises an obvious question, “What does the path of wisdom look like?” Solomon answers that questions in the verses that follow. To become a wise leader, we must do five things.

Listen to the Wise

King Solomon begins his description of wisdom’s path with these words: “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body” (Proverbs 4:20–22).

When we listen to the wise, guard our hearts, watch our words, fix our eyes on the right path, and avoid distractions, we’ll grow in wisdom and act more wisely.

Wisdom requires us to listen to the right people, and Solomon was the wisest man on earth (1 Kings 4:29–31). In fact, Solomon was so wise that he wrote 3,000 proverbs, and leaders from other nations came to learn from him.

Solomon said, “The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright” (Proverbs 15:7). He also noted, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice” (Proverbs 12:15).

Notice, wise people spread knowledge, but they also need advice. They’re not only a source of wisdom but also have a growing appetite for wisdom. That combination creates a powerful wisdom-boosting cycle.

Author Jim Rohn said, “We are the combined average of the five people we hang around the most.” If you associate with foolish people, your life and leadership will begin to resemble foolishness. But if you listen to the wise, you too will become wise.

Guard Your Heart

Solomon expounded on the path of wisdom when he said, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). The condition of your heart determines the condition of your life and leadership.

In Mark 7:20–23, Jesus drove this point home: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come — sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed,malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Jesus makes it clear: Your behaviors begin with your heart. Your words are shaped by your heart. Your habits flow out of your heart. To become a wise and fruitful leader, guard what you allow into your heart. As author John Eldredge observed, “Caring for your heart is the first blow against the Enemy's schemes.”

Watch Your Words

All of us can point to a time — or should I say, “times” — when our words hurt others and created problems for us. But Solomon wisely advised, “Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips” (Proverbs 4:24).

Hal Donaldson, author and founder of Convoy of Hope, noted that our words can be weapons or welcome mats. They can be weapons that damage, demean, and create distance, or a welcome mat that invites, helps, and heals.

The apostle Paul further highlights the importance and power of our words. He said, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,but only what is helpful for building others upaccording to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

To become a wise leader, watch your words. And when you say something out of line, own it, correct it, and apologize for it.

Fix Your Eyes on the Right Path

It’s not enough to know the right path; you must also walk on the right path. Solomon describes it like this: “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways” (Proverbs 4:25–26).

There’s a foundational truth embedded in this passage that impacts all of life and leadership: The path you take determines the story you tell.

If you take the right path, you’ll one day tell a story reflecting God’s faithfulness. But if you take the wrong path, you’ll one day tell a story riddled with regrets. If you’re wondering which story you’ll tell, look at the path you’re on right now.

The same is true for your leadership. If you want to tell a leadership story that makes the greatest difference and adds the deepest value to others, then look closely at the path you’re traveling.

Is your path marked by servant-leadership? Is your path characterized by humility, kindness, love, courage, competence, and character? Or is your leadership path tainted by harshness, pride, duplicity, and spiritual apathy?

The leadership path you take determines the leadership story you will one day tell. Choose your path wisely, and then fix your eyes on that path.

Avoid Distractions

We’re surrounded by distractions. Take cell phones for example. As wonderful as they can be, drivers are four times more likely to crash while talking on the phone, and 23 times more likely crash while texting.

The wise path — like every path — also has its distractions, and Solomon articulated it like this: “Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:27).

To keep from drifting off the path of wisdom, leaders must not only fix their eyes on the right path, but also avoid the ideas, opinions, and philosophies that sound good but are spiritually destructive.

Invitations will come day after day and week after week to abandon the wise path for one that looks more glamorous and rewarding. But don’t fall for it. Send a rejection notice to every invitation and remain faithful to the path of wisdom. In the end, you — and those you love — will experience the reward of wisdom.

This is how leaders can become wise. When we listen to the wise, guard our hearts, watch our words, fix our eyes on the right path, and avoid distractions, we’ll grow in wisdom and act more wisely. Which of these five keys needs your attention today?