The Art of the Wise Fool: Breaking Barriers in Leadership

I’m Alexey Fedchenko, Co-Founder of UnitiQ, where we provide Fractional HR Service and On-demand Talent Experts to help businesses scale smarter and faster. With a deep background in product development and engineering, I’ve spent years working alongside innovative teams to create game-changing products and services that leave a lasting impact.

At UnitiQ, we specialize in connecting startups and scale-ups with the expertise they need, whether it’s fractional HR services, talent acquisition, or strategic people solutions. Our mission is to empower companies by delivering cost-effective, tailored support that aligns with their unique goals, helping them build strong teams and drive sustainable growth.

As an entrepreneur and product expert, I’m passionate about helping businesses unlock their full potential by creating products and services that truly resonate with their audiences. From concept to execution, I love diving into the challenges of scalable innovation and finding solutions that make a difference.

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The "fool" has long been one of the most intriguing and recurring figures in human history. Since ancient times, fools have captivated us, sparking both amazement and laughter. We tend to admire foolishness when we see it in others and even indulge in it ourselves. This archetype is one of the timeless patterns we've inherited at birth. However, many of us suffer from a lack of foolishness in our lives, taking ourselves too seriously as we strive to adapt to a world that values competence and efficiency. This can lead us to become mere cogs in the machinery of life.

But what does it mean to be a fool? Let's explore this fascinating concept.

As Shakespeare famously wrote, "All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players." In this grand performance of life, playfulness is a fundamental human need. Yet, we often forget this, finding ourselves bored and weary. The antidote may lie in giving the fool archetype a place in our lives, finding a balance between foolishness and responsibility. While it’s essential to avoid becoming overly silly or irresponsible, it’s equally important to cultivate the archetype of the wise fool, who, despite their wisdom, is aware of the limits of their knowledge and can laugh at themselves.

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Archetypes like the fool are not mechanical constructs; they are pieces of life itself. The fool is often seen as simple-minded or even foolish, yet there is a deep complexity to this character. The term "fool" originates from the Latin "follis," meaning "a pair of bellows," symbolizing something empty yet essential, as bellows supply the oxygen necessary for a fire to burn. Similarly, the fool can ignite the flames of insight.

In 1511, the scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam published "In Praise of Folly," a deeply insightful exploration of the fool in Western literature. It boldly praises foolishness, suggesting that without it, life would be unbearably dull. The book humorously critiques various aspects of society, including the church, and even clergymen found it amusing.

Friendship and marriage, too, contain elements of foolishness. We overlook our loved ones' flaws, considering them minor compared to the faults of others. Intellectuals, in their relentless pursuit of knowledge, can also be seen as fools. They spend years in libraries, conducting research, believing their work to be of utmost importance, only to realize that only a few intellectuals might read their book centuries later.

The fool, on the other hand, often speaks the truth because they lack the cunning to deceive and manipulate others. There is a joy in laughter and play, making foolishness not only universal but necessary and desirable for humanity. To be human is to embrace our inner fool, recognizing this as a higher form of wisdom.

The wise fool represents a return to a simple, heart-centered way of living. Sometimes, people with pure hearts can perceive deeper truths than those burdened by scholarly learning and social conventions. We might find more profound wisdom in popular proverbs than in academic treatises. As Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote, "The most intelligent person is the one who can call themselves a fool at least once a month," a rare ability in today’s world.

In literature, wise characters are sometimes portrayed as mad, while madmen express wisdom. The oxymoron of the "wise fool" is a literal paradox, where a character labeled a fool is seen as possessing deep insight by the audience. People sometimes accuse wise individuals of madness to obscure their wisdom, fearing their sharp words or simply punishing them for their boldness.

The archetypal wise fool is epitomized by Socrates, whose educational method involved exposing the foolishness of supposedly wise people. Socrates himself claimed that his wisdom stemmed from his acknowledgment of his ignorance. As Shakespeare noted, "The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool."

There are two types of fools: the born fool, who lacks social awareness and occasionally speaks the truth without understanding social norms, and the professional fool, whose job is to soften the harsh truths of life through humor and wit. The greatest fools are often far wiser than those who laugh at them. The fool is fearless in speaking the truth, and the secret to a successful fool is that they are not a fool at all. As the great English poet William Blake wrote, "If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise."

Fools, clowns, and tricksters share similarities; they provoke laughter and achieve a comic catharsis. However, there are fundamental differences between them. What may seem like a joke might actually be a warning. Danish theologian Søren Kierkegaard tells of a fire breaking out backstage in a theater. A clown comes out to warn the audience, but they think it's a joke and applaud. Kierkegaard believes the world will end under similar circumstances, with people applauding their own destruction.

Professional fools can offer insight into what is happening in the world and where we are headed, but many come from tragic backgrounds. The paradoxical connection between comedy and mental disorders like depression and anxiety is known as the "sad clown paradox," where comedy serves as a defense mechanism against suppressed feelings of anger and aggression. People may laugh at a clown but also feel pity, fear, and disgust, triggering a dual response. This complexity is why some people suffer from coulrophobia, an overwhelming fear of clowns.

The fool, however, isn’t primarily interested in laughing at people but in laughing with them or at themselves. Laughing at oneself melts the ice, stripping away both one's personal and social masks, allowing for more genuine interactions. This brave act puts one in a vulnerable position, opening up the possibility for deeper connections and understanding.

Historically, the court jester played a vital role in medieval society, entertaining the royal court through music, stories, juggling, and jokes. It was believed that keeping a fool in the household warded off the "evil eye," a superstition rooted in psychological truth. Having the fool at the forefront, where they could be kept in check, was considered a protective measure. Similarly, we must make room for the "foolish" part of ourselves, inviting it into our inner lives where it can bring fresh ideas and new energy.

Without this awareness and playfulness, our inner world can become a barren wasteland. In medieval times, the Feast of Fools was celebrated by the lower clergy on the first day of the new year to protect society from unexpected outbursts of hidden destructive impulses. All conventions were temporarily suspended, the natural order of things turned upside down, sacred rituals were parodied, church authorities mocked, and all misfits were given free rein to express long-repressed hostilities, lust, and rebellion. These sacrilegious celebrations were eventually driven underground by the church.

The fool also held a special place in the royal court, with the unique privilege of speaking the truth, even to the king. The fool wore a mock crown and scepter, mimicking the king's regalia. This close relationship with the king exempted fools from punishment, allowing them to speak without fear. However, some fools went too far and lost their heads as a result. 

The fool's role in society is to challenge norms and expose truths that others might shy away from, making them agents of change. They represent values rejected by the crowd, often because they contradict social norms and rules, making them social outcasts. Yet, every group needs such a figure, as they are catalysts for cultural vitality and renewal.

In folklore and literature, the fool is often depicted as a character of innocence and simplicity, such as in the Russian folktale of Ivan the Fool. Ivan is the youngest son in a peasant family, known for his naivety, kindness, and willingness to forgive others, even at his own expense. Unlike his brothers, who are tempted by wealth and power, Ivan leads a simple life, caring for his elderly father and mute sister while working in the fields. His brothers, lured by money and military might, leave Ivan behind, but he remains content with his modest existence.

In tarot, the Fool card represents new beginnings, innocence, and a free spirit. Often depicted as a young man with a small bundle, the fool embarks on a journey, unaware of the challenges ahead but full of hope and enthusiasm. The fool is number zero in the tarot deck, symbolizing infinite potential and the cyclical nature of life. The Fool's journey is a psychological and spiritual adventure, leading to personal growth and transformation.

The fool's connection to the number zero is significant. The circle shape of zero represents infinity and the idea of wholeness, as seen in the ancient Egyptian symbol of the ouroboros, a serpent eating its tail. This symbolizes the concept of eternal return and the unity of all things, where past, present, and future coexist simultaneously. The fool embodies this idea, as they are always in the process of becoming, constantly moving forward on their journey toward self-realization.

The fool’s journey is about embracing the unknown, stepping out of the comfort zone, and exploring new territories. While the fool may stumble and fall along the way, it is the journey itself, not the destination, that matters. This journey involves psychological and spiritual death and rebirth, where old aspects of the self are left behind to give rise to a new, more capable self.

However, the fool also has a dark side. They can be stubborn and impulsive, sometimes lacking the patience to consider their surroundings before taking action. This recklessness can lead to unintended consequences, as the fool stands on the edge of a cliff, sometimes unaware of the dangers that lie ahead.

In the end, the fool’s greatest strength is their ability to live in the present moment, seeing reality as it is without fear of change. This ability allows them to navigate the unknown with courage and curiosity, embracing life’s uncertainties and challenges.

My Final Thoughts on this topic: The fool, as an archetype, offers profound lessons about the importance of balancing wisdom and folly, seriousness and playfulness, and tradition and innovation. The fool’s journey teaches us to embrace the unknown, take risks, and remain open to new experiences. While the fool may appear naive or foolish, their willingness to explore the world without fear often leads to deeper wisdom and insight. In a world that often values conformity and caution, the fool reminds us of the power of spontaneity, curiosity, and the courage to be true to ourselves, even in the face of ridicule or misunderstanding.