Occasional Book Review ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
I've read two very unique books by Michael J. Gelb, an innovator in the field of creative thinking and leadership development. My background in public education - both teaching and administration connects me to these types of books. The titles tend to be quite engaging as well: HOW TO THINK LIKE LEONARDO Da VINCI (1998) which I read in March, 2000 and just decided to read again; and DISCOVER YOUR GENIUS: How to Think Like History's Ten Most Revolutionary Minds (2002) which I read in October, 2006
It's not only a great history lesson, but a motivational tool that enables the interested party to branch out with a variety of followup exercises. In fact, THE HOW TO THINK LIKE LEONARDO Da VINCI WORKBOOK is a companion volume to go into greater detail with followup exercises. I did not get that book.
The first book by Gelb gives you a great introduction to the life of Leonardo with the remaining sections reviewing the "SevenDa Vincian Principles which are written in Italian: "Curiosita" an unrelenting quest for continuous learning; "Dimostrazione" test knowledge through experience, persistence, and willingness to learn from mistakes;"Sensazione" refinement of the senses, especially sight; "Sfumato" embrace ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty; "Arte/Scienza"balance between science and art - whole-brain thinking; "Corporalita" culivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise; and "Connessione" interconnectedness of all things - systems thinking.
The other book identifies the the ten Plato - love of wisdom; Brunelleschi - expanding your perspective; Columbus- going perpendicular: strengthening your optimism, vision, and courage; Copernicus - revolutionizing your worldview; Elizabeth I - wielding your power with balance and effectiveness; Shakespeare - cultivating your emotional intelligence; Jefferson - celebrating your freedom in the pursuit of happiness; Darwin - developing your power of observation and opening your mind; Gandhi - applying the principles of spiritual genius to harmonize spirit, mind, and body; and Einstein - unleashing your imagination and combinatory play.
This was another very interesting volume which I plan to reread in the coming months. As one can see, each of these great thinkers offers a specific set of principles as well. And one finds a lot of followup potential here as well.
Both books offer some interesting thinking which just might be helpful for real estate agents, buyers and seller of real estate, and even some talented high school students who might select one these thinkers for a creative paper or two. dap
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