The Art of Being Wise is Knowing What to Overlook

During the first few years that I served as principal of Adamsville High School, I was fortunate to work for Estel Ray Mills. He was a leader who was not afraid to confront almost any situation. You knew exactly where you stood under his leadership. He simply expected those principals whom he supervised to get the job done. Warm and friendly were not attributes that described him, but he could demonstrate compassion and wisdom when necessary. The school system flourished under his leadership.  

During the early years of his administration as McNairy County Superintendent of Education, Mr. Mills came under criticism from some of the local businesses in Adamsville. Our school system had allowed all local businesses in the county to submit bids on various products and/or services but the local ones in Adamsville had been awarded only a few. Some of the owners were  voicing their criticism to me and expressing negativity toward Mr. Mills and the school system. Serving as principal of AHS, I felt compelled to defend Mr. Mills. He had done so much for our community as was evidenced by his leading the effort in building the new high school and vocational facility in Adamsville in 1981. Now he was coming under criticism because some locals were upset with the bid process in which they had not submitted the lowest bid. They thought locals should get the bid regardless because they believed it would help to foster the local economy. 

Well, I was not in favor of the approach by my community friends. I was somewhat caught in the middle of their criticism. But, what Mr. Mills told me on this occasion has served as guideline and principle to my administration philosophy. He said, "You don't have to respond to every criticism, just keep it in the back of your mind." What he was implying was: "The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook." Some things merit a response and others do not. In this case he believed it did not meet the standard of a response. He encouraged me to not respond to the criticism, but to keep in my memory as to how people act sometimes. It was excellent advice from a man who was not afraid of public or private criticism. It seemed so out of character of him, but it was a wonderful principle for leading.   

As leaders come in contact with just and unjust criticism the principle of knowing what to overlook is so important. They need to learn to discern what is necessary to heed and what needs to be overlooked. I also believe leaders need to pray for wisdom every day in order to do this. Mr. Mills was a great leader in this respect. 

Soon the criticism died down and the integrity of his administration withstood the test. He did not answer his critics and he did not want me to respond either. His wisdom knew what to overlook in this situation. 

 Remember, I believe we are all leaders regardless of  our position.