The Leading Wisdom Development Framework: An Integrated Roadmap for Cultivating a Sense of Purpose and Meaning

Abstract

Our aspirations for gifted learners in talent development programs need to go beyond the development of expertise, creative productivity, and eminence. It is argued that wisdom development should be the ultimate goal of educating gifted learners. It is not merely what talents gifted learners develop, but how they use these talents, which will determine how meaningfully they lead their lives, and contribute to the lives of others in society. A theoretically grounded Leading Wisdom Development Framework (LWDF) is presented which articulates developmental levels of wisdom: emerging wisdom, developing wisdom, enhancing wisdom, and advancing wisdom. The framework outlines leadership actions which include deepening teaching quality and collective teacher capacity, strengthening programming, enabling student agency, collaborating with the wider community, and anchoring changes into the school culture. Effective leaders create conditions for integrated wisdom and talent development of gifted learners so that they can use their talents for the greater good of others.