Becoming a fool

I recently read the book, Leadership and Self Deception. In a nutshell it is about how if we want lasting success in life then we have to learn how to value others and learn to focus on others rather than ourselves. The book is challenging, because it is counter-intuitive. We are wired to focus on ourselves. It would make sense if like worked this way: "the more I focus on myself the better off I will become." But the challenge of the book is that actually life works this way: "the more I focus on others the better off I will become." It seems backward.
I read another backward seeming book recently, the Bible, in particular the first few chapters of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. In which repeatedly Paul compares the "wisdom of the world" with the "wisdom of God". Paul writes in I Corinthians 3:18, "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise."
Becoming a fool.
I believe that a guy 2000 years ago died, and then came back to life. I believe that he walked on water---literally walked on water. I believe that this guy was actually God in human form. I believe that this guy, Jesus, is the key to my peace and significance in life.  I understand that that sounds foolish, and I am ok with that.
Self Deception is subtle yet powerful. Is it possible that by focusing less on ourselves, we could actually improve ourselves? Is it possible that by embracing seemingly foolish ideas, we could actually encounter greater wisdom?