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Participant Materials

How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci:


Liberating Creativity and Innovation in the Workplace
Featuring Michael Gelb

Participant Materials created by PBS The Business & Technology Network Program produced by Impact Television
PBS and the PBS logo are trademarks and service marks of the Public Broadcasting Service and are used with its permission. 2001 National Technological University Corporation All Rights Reserved.

Dear Participant,
Welcome to How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci. Today's presentation is based on the best-selling book How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day, by Michael Gelb, founder and president of The High Performance Learning Center. Michael Gelb is a widely known expert in creative approaches to improving performance. He has worked with numerous businesses including Amoco, AT&T, DuPont, Ford, IBM, National Public Radio and Xerox, to teach their leaders and staff the same Da Vinci principles he will be presenting to you today. In addition to his ground-breaking work on Leonardo Da Vinci, Michael Gelb is widely known as the author of Mind Mapping, Body Learning, Thinking for a Change, Samurai Chess (with Grand Master Raymond Keene), and Lessons from the Art of Juggling (with Tony Buzan). Exploring the art, sculpture, music and notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci, Michael Gelb identified seven key principles in the thinking of this great genius. He asserts that these principles can be taught, and that anyone can learn how to think like a genius. Today's program provides new approaches to inspiring creativity, developing critical thinking skills, and generating new ideas. In the next two and a half hours, Michael Gelb will share the seven principles and invite you to participate in understanding them and actively practicing them. While viewing the presentation, follow along and take notes in this participant guide. It cues you to key learning points and includes numerous activities and specified "homework" to enable your learning. Be prepared to have your customary ways of thinking challenged. Today's organizations desperately need people who have both analytical skills and bold imagination, who can create innovative products and new businesses. Michael Gelb's presentation and the tools it contains can help you and your organization achieve new levels of performance. Of course, Leonardo Da Vinci did not develop his genius overnight, nor did Michael Gelb learn how to understand that genius and apply his methods in just a couple of hours. Simply watching todays program will not transform you into an instant genius. It requires rigorous self-development and learning through practice. To facilitate this learning, activities for before, during and after the seminar have been designed to accompany the presentation. Look for cues in the section entitled How to Get the Most Out of This Seminar beginning on page 5. There is also a useful list of resources at the end of the participant's guide, beginning on page 34. For those participating in the live presentation of the program, you will have the opportunity to ask questions by phone, fax, or e-mail. Telephone: Fax: E-mail: 800.848.1109 301.280.1760 talk@ntuc.com

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Program Outline
Introduction Maximizing Our Potential Learning from Leonardo: 7 Steps to Genius Every Day Activity 1: Assessing your Curiosita CURIOSITA: Approaching life with insatiable curiosity and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning Activity 2: Curiosita Skill Builder DIMOSTRAZIONE: Committing to test knowledge through experience, persistence and a willingness to learn from mistakes Activity 3: Dimostrazione Assessment and Skill Builder SENSAZIONE: Continually refining the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience Homework 1. SFUMATO: Embracing ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty Activity 4: Assessing Sfumato Activity 5: Sfumato Skill Builder INTERMISSION - 5 minute break Learning from Leonardo: 7 Steps to Genius Every Day (continued) ARTE/SCIENZA: Balancing science and art, logic and imagination - whole-brain thinking Activity 6: Arte/Scienza Assessment - Left-brain/right-brain Activity 7: Arte/Scienza Skill Builder - Mind mapping Homework 2. CORPORALITA: Cultivating grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise Homework 3. CONNESSIONE: Recognizing and appreciating the interconnectedness of all things systems thinking Activity 8: Connessione Assessment Activity 9: Connessione Skill Builder INTERMISSION - 5 minute break Question and Answer session Wrap up

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What You Will Learn:


By participating in this seminar, you will be able to: Increase your creative capabilities every day Apply methods to balance critical and analytical thinking with imagination Expand your ability to generate new ideas Use mind maps to navigate through ambiguity and uncertainty Identify how to apply "systems thinking" to problem solving Nurture creativity and innovation in your organization

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How To Get The Most Out Of This Seminar. . .


Pre-Presentation Activities Prepare yourself for challenge. Some of the concepts presented in this seminar may ask you to stretch the scope of your thinking. Open yourself to new ideas, it is often helpful to relax both mind and body through simple breathing exercises. Begin by sitting erect with your back straight and your head centered above the torso. Let your arms dangle loosely. Rest your hands on your thighs or knees with your elbows close to your body. Close your eyes to avoid being distracted, and breathe in a deep breath slowly until your lungs are full. Then exhale at a slightly more rapid rate and breathe in slowly again. Envision the air entering and leaving your body. Repeat this for a minute or two. Since the purpose of this exercise is to help tension fall away, you should "pass" if it makes you uncomfortable to do this among colleagues. On the other hand, the peaceful feeling that is induced by this practice might just be worth the risk of discomfort. During this Program Participate! Learning is not a passive activity. You can absorb a lot by just looking and listening, but you'll learn a great deal more if you are actively involved. Take notes in the space provided in this participant guide. Different people take notes differently. This has been accommodated by providing blank space for notes without ruled lines. To get the most out of this program, you might want to take notes in a way that is new for you. If you are accustomed to writing notes out, try drawing pictures instead to capture your ideas. If you usually doodle your way through notes, try structuring your notes in outline form. If you are a super stenographer who always catches the content verbatim, try taking notes with your non-dominant hand! Pages have been identified with key words to act as cues for your notes. Contribute to the discussion. Jot down any questions that come to mind during the presentation and fax or email them. You can also collect your questions on page 32 and then call in your question during the question and answer period at the end of the program.

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Engage in the learning activities. Throughout the seminar there will be opportunities to participate in activities designed to reinforce the learning. Although you will be pressed for time, be sure to at least begin each activity, and write down any questions that arise during the work. If you begin each activity it will be easier for you to return later to those that you could not complete. Fill out and submit the evaluation form. Post-Presentation Activities Complete any unfinished activities. These are important skill-builders that will help you internalize the Da Vinci principles. Do the "homework". You will find a wealth of post-presentation activities beginning on page 34. Because there is not enough time during the seminar to practice each of the Da Vinci principles, activities have been provided that will not only reinforce the learning, but will help you apply what you have learned in your organization. Share what you have learned with other members of your organization who were not present at the seminar. Read Michael Gelb's book, How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day (Delacorte Press, New York, 1998). Consider using the resources listed at the end of the participant's guide to learn more, and to develop one or more new skills that will expand your brain's capability. The "recommended reading" list begins on page 46.

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Introduction
For more than five centuries Western civilization has viewed with admiration and awe the life and works of a great genius of the Renaissance, Leonardo Da Vinci. The phrase "Renaissance man", which is used to describe anyone with a multitude of talents and skills, might have been coined to describe Leonardo Da Vinci. He was a painter whose masterpieces still influence artists today and delight all who see them. He was an astronomer, a musician, a scientist, an inventor, and a profound philosopher, who kept meticulous notes and sketches of all he thought and observed. How did he achieve all this? Da Vinci himself has recorded his methods and has described how to think, how to develop and use our inherent capabilities, how to integrate everything we learn into one harmonious whole. Five centuries later, as people search for new ways to improve the performance of their organizations, Da Vinci's ideas have re-emerged as the buzzwords of management theory. When we speak of "continuous learning", "whole-brain thinking", "mind-body connection" "brainstorming", "systems thinking", "thriving on chaos", we are simply using new language to describe concepts set down long ago by Leonardo Da Vinci. In today's global marketplace, all organizations are searching for ways to revitalize themselves. Corporations, government entities and non-profits all need to find new methods of working, new ways to organize themselves, new products and services in a rapidly changing world. People in organizations are being called upon to develop competencies that will enlarge their own scope and will yield innovation and productivity for their organizations. For these people, Leonardo Da Vinci has a message: If you are willing to apply yourself, you can learn how to think like a genius!

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Notes
Introduction to Michael Gelb:

Leonardo Da Vinci:

Maximizing Our Potential - You don't have to be a genius to think like one:

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Learning from Leonardo:


Seven Steps to Genius Every Day CURIOSITA: Approaching life with insatiable curiosity and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning

DIMOSTRAZIONE: Committing to test knowledge through experience, persistence and a willingness to learn from mistakes

SENSAZIONE: Continually refining the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience

SFUMATO Embracing ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty

ARTE/SCIENZA Balancing science and art, logic and imagination - whole-brain thinking

CORPORALITA Cultivating grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise

CONNESSIONE Recognizing and appreciating the interconnectedness of all things systems thinking

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Notes
Curiosita: Approaching life with insatiable curiosity and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning:

ACTIVITY 1:

Assessing Your Curiosita

Your curiosita is what brought you to this seminar. Your desire to learn and develop your natural abilities is the fountain from which all Da Vincian practices will flow. Begin by answering the questions below. Your answers will indicate how well you are already using your curiosita, and where there is room for improvement. True False My friends would describe me as open-minded & curious. I am always learning something new. I seek out new perspectives when facing an important decision. I take adequate time for reflection. I am a voracious reader. When I hear a new word, I always look it up. I solicit feedback from friends, relations & colleagues. I love learning. I am skilled at identifying and solving problems. I keep a journal to record insights and questions.

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Notes
What If? . . . :

ACTIVITY 2:

Curiosita Skill Builder: "What, When, Who, How, Where, Why and What if"?

Think of a real problem or question that you are concerned with in your work or within your organization. Write your question or problem statement below, and then fill in answers to "what, when, who, how, where, and why". Some cues have been provided to stimulate your thinking. Once the problem has been explored, set the problem aside for a while, and then, when you return to it, propose as many "what if" scenarios as you can think of. Enlist the help of colleagues and associates. Record all scenarios, no matter how outrageous they seem at first. Then select one or more scenarios, and subject them to the six-question treatment. QUESTION/PROBLEM STATEMENT: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ What . . . _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ is the problem? are the underlying issues? preconceptions, prejudices, or paradigms may be influencing my perception ? will happen if I ignore it? problems may be caused by solving this problem? metaphors from nature can I use to illuminate it?

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When. . . _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ did it start? does it happen? doesn't it happen? will the consequences of it be felt? must it be resolved? Who. . . _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ cares about it? is affected by it? created it? perpetuates it? can help solve it?

How. . . _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ does it happen? can I get more objective information? can I look at it from unfamiliar perspectives? can it be changed? will I know that it has been solved? Where. . . _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ does it happen? did it begin? haven't I looked? else has this happened?

Why. . . _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ is it important? did it start? does it continue?

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(Ask Why, Why, Why, Why, Why . . . to get to the bottom of an issue.) What have you learned about your question or problem from asking these questions? Summarize your insights below. _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ What if _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ (Try this exercise with others in a group problem-solving session.)

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Notes
Dimostrazione: Committing to test knowledge through experience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from mistakes:

Open-mindedness:

Persistence:

Willing to make mistakes:

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ACTIVITY 3: Dimostrazione: Assessment & Skill-Builder


Rate yourself with these questions, answering "mostly yes" or "mostly no". For each question, jot down an instance in your experience when the answer was "yes" and an instance when the answer was "no": Do I view mistakes as learning experiences? Y N "Yes" example___________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ "No" example____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Am I willing to acknowledge my mistakes? Y N "Yes" example___________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ "No" example____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Do I question conventional wisdom and authority? Y N "Yes" example___________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ "No" example____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Do I persevere in the face of obstacles? Y N "Yes" example___________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ "No" example____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Now, select a problem at work and ask, "How would I handle it differently if I werent afraid of making mistakes"?

Write your answer here: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

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Notes
Sensazione: Continually refining the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience:

Sfumato: Embracing ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty:

Mona Lisa:

Ambiguity and uncertainty:

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ACTIVITY 4: Assessing Sfumato

In this activity you will be assessing the degree to which you embrace ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty. In the following list, quickly rate yourself on a scale of 1-5, where 1 represents a need for certainty at all times, and 5 represents a well-developed capacity for ambiguity and comfort with uncertainty and paradox. Then, go back and write down an example from recent experience which illustrates your self-rating. Finally, add up your "score". A total less than 30 indicates a strong need to develop your ability to "go up in smoke" if you want to think like Leonardo Da Vinci. I am comfortable with ambiguity. 1 2 3 4 5 Example:__________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ I am in touch with my intuition. 1 2 3 4 5 Example:__________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ I thrive on change. 1 2 3 4 5 Example:__________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ I see the humor in life every day. 1 2 3 4 5 Example:__________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ I know when I feel anxious. 1 2 3 4 5 Example:__________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ I spend sufficient time with myself. 1 2 3 4 5 Example:__________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ I trust my gut. 1 2 3 4 5 Example:__________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

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I can hold contradictory ideas in my mind. 1 2 3 4 5 Example:__________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ I delight in paradox and irony. 1 2 3 4 5 Example:__________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ I believe that conflict often inspires creativity. 1 2 3 4 5 Example:__________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

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Notes
Tolerating uncertainty:

Intuition:

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ACTIVITY 5: Sfumato: Skill Building Here are two activities aimed at strengthening your Sfumato skills. Select one of them to get started on during the seminar, and plan to come back afterward to complete the other. Activity 1: Cultivate Confusion Endurance: The Sfumato principle asks us to sharpen our senses in the face of paradox and embrace creative tension. It is useful to explore the paradoxes in our everyday lives. For example: Strengths and weaknesses. List at least three of your personal weaknesses. Then list three or more of your personal strengths. WEAKNESSES _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

STRENGTHS _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

How are these qualities related? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

Goals and process. Write down an important goal you accomplished at work. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Describe the process you followed. How do goal and process relate? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Have you ever achieved success without experiencing fulfillment? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

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In your personal experience does the end justify the means? Why, or why not? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ You can continue this exercise indefinitely by examining other paradox pairs in your life: Joy and sorrow, good and evil, change and constancy, humility and pride, etc.

Activity 2: Making space for incubation: When do you get your best ideas? Think of a moment of creative breakthrough. Trace the process. Were you alone? What kind of input preceded the breakthrough? Did you have to take a break? How long a break? Do you have a strong faith in your creative process? Give examples of success. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

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Welcome back from the break. In the first section of our program, we looked at: Human potential The genius of Leonardo Da Vinci We then explored the first four of seven steps to genius every day: CURIOSITA: Approaching life with insatiable curiosity and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning DIMOSTRAZIONE: Committing to test knowledge through experience, persistence and a willingness to learn from mistakes SENSAZIONE: Continually refining the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience SFUMATO Embracing ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty

In this next section we will continue learning from Leonardo by taking a closer look at the last three of the seven steps:

ARTE/SCIENZA Balancing science and art, logic and imagination - whole-brain thinking CORPORALITA Cultivating grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise CONNESSIONE Recognizing and appreciating the interconnectedness of all things systems thinking

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Notes
Arte/Scienza: Balancing science and art, logic and imagination - whole-brain thinking:

Whole-brain thinking:

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ACTIVITY 6: Arte/Scienza Assessment (Left-brain/Right-brain)

This self-assessment is designed to help you get a rough idea as to whether you tend to be "left-brained" or "right-brained". Circle a value from 1 to 5 for each statement, where 5 is "very much so" and 1 is "not at all". I like details. I am almost always on time. I am skilled at math. I rely on logic. I write clearly. Friends describe me as articulate. Analysis is one of my strengths. I am organized and disciplined. I like lists. I start a book at page 1 and read in order. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

The preceding list describes a classic "left-brained" person. See how you do on this next list: I am highly imaginative. I am good at brainstorming. I often say or do the unexpected. I love to doodle. 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5

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In school, I was better at geometry than algebra. I read a book by skipping around. I look at the big picture, leave the details to others. I often lose track of time. I rely on intuition.

1 1

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

1 1 1

2 2 2

3 3 3

4 4 4

5 5 5

Most people have a proclivity toward one hemisphere or the other of the brain. Was that your result? Of course, all people have a "left-brain" and a "right-brain". Looking at your own answers, you can see that you have some characteristics of each. But having a proclivity toward one hemisphere points at the opportunity to bring the brain in balance - balancing Arte and Scienza - by developing the less prominent capabilities of the brain.

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Mind Mapping
The Rules 1) Begin your mind map with a symbol or a picture (representing your topic) at the center of your page. Starting at the center opens your mind to a full 360 degrees of association. Pictures and symbols are much easier to remember than words. Drawing a picture or symbol stimulates your right hemisphere and strengthens your ability to think creatively about your subject. 2) Use key words. Key words are the information-rich "nuggets" of recall and creative association. Choosing key words exercises your analytical "left brain" and helps you find the essence of your subject. 3) Connect the key words with lines radiating from your central image. By linking words with lines ("branches"), you'll show clearly how one key word relates to another. 4) Print your key words. Printing is easier to read and remember than writing. 5) Print one key word per line. By doing this, you free yourself to discover the maximum number of creative associations for each key word. The discipline of one word per line also trains you to focus on the most appropriate key word, enhancing the precision of your thought and minimizing clutter. 6) Print your key words on the lines and make the length of the word the same as the line it is on. This maximizes clarity of association and encourages economy of space. 7) Use colors, pictures, dimension, and codes for greater association and emphasis.

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Highlight important points and illustrate relationships between different branches of your mind map. You might, for instance, prioritize your main points through color-coding, highlighting in yellow the most important points, using blue for secondary points, and so forth. Pictures and images, preferably in vivid color, should be used wherever possible; they stimulate your creative association and greatly enhance your memory.

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ACTIVITY 7: Arte / Scienza Skill Builder

Mind mapping activates both Arte and Scienza your whole brain. Mind maps let you organize your material logically and even sequentially, while encouraging imagination and spontaneity. Mind maps record in detail where you've been, while suggesting a multitude of potential next steps. Practice this important skill. Begin by creating a mind map in the space below of what you have learned so far in this seminar:

Write down a problem at work you would like to solve: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Plan to mind map this problem and brainstorm solutions later. Share the mind mapping technique with colleagues and associates and enlist their help in using a mind map to define and solve this problem. You will find a valuable mind-mapping post-presentation activity on page 39.

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Notes
Corporalita: Cultivating grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise:

Fitness and grace:

Connessione: Recognizing and appreciating the interconnectedness of all things systems thinking:

Juggling:

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ACTIVITY 8: Connessione Assessment

The ability to see the interconnectedness of things, to appreciate how separate things and phenomena relate to the whole is often called "systems thinking". Do you think of yourself as a systems thinker? Answer these questions on a scale of 1-5, where 1 is "never" or "not at all" and 5 is "always" or "completely". I enjoy analogies and metaphors. I frequently make connections other people miss. I can articulate systems dynamics patterns, connections, and networks in the workplace. I seek a holistic approach to health. My life goals and work are integrated with my values. I study the details to grasp the whole. At times I feel connected with all creation. 1 2 3 4 5

1 1

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

1 1 1

2 2 2

3 3 3

4 4 4

5 5 5

Why would you want to improve your Connessione? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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Notes
Systems Thinking:

ACTIVITY 9: Connessione Skill Builder Metaphors and analogies are useful ways to make connections that are not otherwise apparent. You can practice making connections by using the body metaphor to explore the dynamics of your organization, department or work unit: Which organization are you exploring?_______________________________ Who is the head?________________________________________________ Who is the heart?________________________________________________ What is the stage of our development?_______________________________ Is the head in harmony with the body?________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What is the quality of nourishment?__________________________________ How is our circulation?____________________________________________ What is our backbone?____________________________________________ Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing?____________________ Are we ambidextrous?_____________________________________________ What is the state of our health? Chronic maladies? Growing pains? Life threatening disease?________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ What are we doing to be more fit?____________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Where do I fit in?_________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

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Question Sheet
Use this form to write your questions for Michael Gelb or for discussion among your colleagues. Please write clearly.

Name (optional) ___________________________________________________________ Organization __________________________________________________________ Location __________________________________________________________

Your question (25 words or less): ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Tel Fax E-mail

800-848-1109 (USA and Canada) 301-280-1760 talk@ntuc.com

PBS and the PBS logo are trademarks and service marks of the Public Broadcasting Service and are used with its permission.

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Wrap-up
In today's session we focussed on your unlimited potential to liberate your creativity and ignite innovation in your organization. We learned that some of the most modern ideas about creativity and high performance were actually formulated centuries ago by a great genius, Leonardo Da Vinci.

Michael Gelb helped us learn from Leonardo by explaining the "seven steps to genius every day":

CURIOSITA: Approaching life with insatiable curiosity and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning

DIMOSTRAZIONE: Committing to test knowledge through experience, persistence and a willingness to learn from mistakes

SENSAZIONE: Continually refining the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience

SFUMATO Embracing ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty

ARTE/SCIENZA Balancing science and art, logic and imagination - whole-brain thinking

CORPORALITA Cultivating grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise

CONNESSIONE Recognizing and appreciating the interconnectedness of all things systems thinking

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In his presentation, Michael Gelb explained the method for using these seven principles. A wealth of exercises has been provided for your use both during the presentation and afterward, offering opportunities to learn and develop the skills embodied in this method.

Not everyone can be a genius. But through rigor and dedicated application, anyone can learn how to think like a genius. With this knowledge and these tools at your disposal, you and your organization can begin a new period of increased creativity and innovation.

Post-Presentation Activities

During this seminar there was not enough time to assess and build skills relating to all seven of the Da Vinci principles. Beginning on the next page you will find a series of activities that will augment the work you did during the seminar. Before tackling these, be sure to go back and complete the activities you began during the seminar. You will note that some of those also have post-presentation components.

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POST-PRESENTATION ACTIVITY:

Assessing Sensazione Think of the time in the past year when you felt most alive. Chances are that you can conjure up all the images and sensations associated with that event, because at such times your senses tend to be heightened and focused. By refining your Sensazione, you will be able to bring the sensory aliveness of your peak experiences to your life every day. In the pages that follow you will find some suggestions for activities and exercises designed to develop your Sensazione. As before, it is helpful to assess the current state of your Sensazione. Begin by ticking off the checklists below to help identify where your senses are most developed and which senses need more work. Self-Assessment: Vision When different colors and hues are side by side, I am sensitive as to whether they harmonize or clash. I know the color of all my friends' eyes. I look out into the far horizon and up to the sky at least once a day. I am good at describing a scene in detail. I like doodling and drawing. Friends would describe me as alert. I am sensitive to subtle changes in lighting. I can picture things clearly in my mind's eye. Self-Assessment: Hearing Friends describe me as a good listener. I am sensitive to noise. I can tell when someone is singing off-key. I can sing on key. I listen to jazz or classical music regularly. I can distinguish the melody from the bass line in a piece of music. I know what all the controls on my stereo system are for and can hear the difference when I adjust them. I enjoy silence. I am attuned to subtle changes in a speaker's voice tone, volume, and inflection.

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Self-Assessment: Smell I have a favorite scent (What is it? Why do I like it? What does it remind me of?) Smells affect my emotions strongly, for better or worse. I can recognize friends by their scent. I know how to use aromas to influence my mood. I can reliably judge the quality of food or wine by its aroma. When I see fresh flowers, I usually take a few moments to breathe in their aroma. Self-Assessment: Touch I am aware of the "feel" of the surfaces that surround me daily, i.e., the chairs, sofas, and car seats I sit on. I am sensitive to the quality of fabric that I wear. I like to touch and be touched. Friends say I give great hugs. I know how to listen with my hands. When I touch someone, I can tell if they are tense or relaxed. Self-Assessment: Taste I can taste the "freshness" of fresh foods. I enjoy many different types of cuisine. I seek out unusual taste experiences. I can discern the flavor contributions of different herbs and spices in a complex dish. I am a good cook. I eat consciously, aware of the taste of my food. I avoid junk food. I avoid eating on the run. I enjoy participating in taste tests and wine tastings. Self-Assessment: Synesthesia I enjoy describing one sense in terms of another. My experience of one sense affects all my other senses. I intuitively understand which colors are "cold" and which are "hot." My response to art is visceral. I am aware of the role of synesthesia in the thinking of great artists and scientists. I can sense which of these sounds, ooooohhlaaaa, zip-zip-zip, ni-ni-ni-ni-ni, are reflected in the following shapes: ~', ^ ^ ^, vvvvv.

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POST-PRESENTATION ACTIVITY: Sensazione: Skill Building VISION: LOOKING AND SEEING: The Eye-Palming Exercise. Sit at a desk in a quiet, private place. Keep your feet squarely on the floor and sit so that you are supported by the bones at the bottom of your pelvis. If you wear glasses, take them off; contact lenses are okay. Now rub your palms together vigorously for about twenty seconds. Resting your elbows lightly on the desk, cup your palms and place them gently over your closed eyes. (Do not touch the eyeball or put pressure on the sides of your nose.) Breathe deeply, in an easy, relaxed fashion, and rest with your eyes closed for about three minutes. When you are ready to finish, take your palms away from your eyes, but leave your eyes closed for another twenty seconds or so. (Do not rub your eyes!) Then gently open your eyes and look around. Write down your impressions. Focus Near and Far. This is a very simple and valuable exercise that you can practice many times each day. Look at something close to you, such as this page or your hand; now change your focus to the farthest horizon. Pick out a specific element of the far horizon and focus on it for a few seconds; then come back to your hand, and again out to the farthest horizon, focusing on a different element this time. In addition to enlivening your eyes and expanding your perception, this exercise can improve your driving and specifically prevent you from speeding, unknowingly, past state troopers on the freeway. "Soft Eyes." Sitting in front of a computer screen and reading reports drives many people toward a habitually hard, narrow focus. Instead, allow a few deep exhalations and try the following exercise: Place your index fingers together at eye level about twelve inches from your face. Looking straight ahead, move your fingers slowly away from each other on the horizontal plane. Stop moving your fingers when you can no longer see them with your peripheral vision. Bring your fingers back to center and do the same exercise with the vertical plane. Exhale. Now "soften" your eyes by relaxing the muscles of your forehead, face, and jaw and allow a receptivity to the broadest possible expanse of vision. Note the way this exercise affects your mind and body (XO percent of your eyes' light receptors are designed for peripheral vision). How do you feel when you soften your eyes? Write down your impressions .

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LISTENING AND HEARING: Every sound and every silence provides an opportunity to deepen auditory attunement; but city sounds can be overwhelming and cause us to dull our sensitivity. Surrounded by noises from televisions, airplanes, subways and automobiles, most of us "tune out" for self-protection. Try the following exercises to "tune up" your auditory sense. Layered Listening. Enjoy a few full deep exhalations, and listen to the sounds around you now. First you'll hear the loudest, most obvious sounds: the air conditioning, the clock ticking, the traffic outside, the background noises of people and machinery. Then, as that "layer" becomes clarified, begin to notice the next layer down. Sounds of your breathing, a gentle breeze, footsteps in the hall, the shifting of your sleeve when you move your hand. Keep moving your awareness deeper into the next layer and then the next . . . do this for the next few minutes and then record your observations: Listen for Silence. Practice listening for the spaces between sounds in music, conversation, wherever you hear it. Find a place of complete silence. On a blank page, describe how silence sounds, and how it feels to be in a place of complete quiet: AROMATIC AWARENESS Every day, all day, we are confronted with a smorgasbord of smells. Our five million olfactory cells can sniff out one molecule of an odor-causing substance in one part per trillion of air. And we take about 23,000 breaths per day, processing about 440 cubic feet of scent-laden air. But most people have a very limited vocabulary for describing aromatic experience: "It stinks" or "That smells good" are the most common references. Aim to increase your discrimination and appreciation for smell by expanding your olfactory vocabulary. Perfumers categorize smells as floral (roses), minty (peppermint), musky (musk), ethereal (pears), resinous (camphor), foul (rotten eggs), and acrid (vinegar). Use these terms and make up your own descriptors as you explore the following exercises. What Do You Smell Right Now? In the manner of your most beloved canine acquaintance, explore your immediate environment with your nose. Breathe in the smell of the surrounding air, your shirt, a pencil or pen, or the paper these words are printed on. Describe what you smell, right now, as vividly as you can. Make "Smells" a Theme for a Day. Record what you smell and how it affects you through the course of a day. Most people find that smell has a powerful effect on their emotions and memory. Seek out unusual or intense aromas. Spend half an hour at your favorite florists. Make a scent-centered visit to your nearest zoo. Inhale the aroma of ten different perfumes

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and describe your reactions. How does smell affect your moods? Your memory? List three specific examples of aromas affecting your emotion or recall: Olfactory Cornucopia. This exercise is easier and more fun to do with friends. Assemble a range of items with distinctive aromas; for example,: a slice of lemon, a piece of sod, a few leaves of basil, your pillowcase, some Tiger Balm or Vicks VapoRub, freshly ground coffee, a jar of capers, a piece of charcoal. Put on a blindfold and ask a friend to hold each item, in turn, close to your nose for thirty seconds. Describe each smell and your reaction to it: GOOD TASTE For most of us, the opportunity to taste presents itself at least three times a day. But in the rush of our lives, it is often difficult to pay attention. It is all too easy to "grab a bite on the run," and to consume an entire meal without really tasting anything. Instead, pause for a few moments before every meal. Reflect on the origins of the meal you are about to enjoy. Aim to be 100 percent present as you taste the first bite of your food. Comparative Tasting: Just as comparing one great performance to another is a marvelous way to develop your hearing, the same holds true for taste and smell. Buy three different kinds of chocolate (i.e., dark, milk, semisweet). Begin by looking carefully at each one and describing any differences you observe in color or clarity. Then smell each one for thirty seconds. Describe the aromas. Next taste each one in turn; hold a piece in your mouth and let it melt on your tongue. Take a sip of spring water between tastes to clear your palate. Describe the differences in aroma and taste: TOUCHING AND FEELING Your brain receives information from more than 500,000 touch detectors and 200,000 temperature sensors. Yet Leonardo lamented that most people "touch without feeling." The secret of sensitive "feeling" touch is an attitude of receptivity, learning to "listen" deeply with your hands and whole body. Touch Like an Angel. Imagine the quality of touch that Leonardo used in applying the gossamer layers of paint in creating his angels and virgins. Now, with the exquisite delicacy of the maestro as your inspiration, touch the objects around you. Touch the world around you as though you were experiencing each sensation for the first time. Record your observations. Begin by describing the feeling of your pen in your hand as you write. Blindfold Touch. Invite a friend to share this exercise. Assemble as many of the following objects as you can find: a leather jacket, a cashmere scarf, a glass, a potato, a rose, a handful of coins, a scouring pad, a sponge, a dab of moisturizing cream, your friend's hand,

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and anything else you would like to explore. Put on a blindfold and explore them all with receptive, listening hands. Describe the textures, weight, temperature, and other sensations. Touch Nature. Go outside and explore the textures of nature: the needles of a pine tree, rocks and stones, flowing water, the wind, the earth at your feet. Write your observations down. SYNESTHESIA Synesthesia, the merging of the senses, is a characteristic of great artistic and scientific geniuses. You can heighten all your powers of Sensazione by cultivating synesthetic awareness. A simple way to begin is to practice describing one sense in terms of the others. Try the following exercises for developing synesthesia. Drawing Music. Listen to your favorite piece of music. As you listen, experiment with expressing your impressions by drawing shapes and colors. Shaping the Invisible. If you were to sculpt a particular piece of music, what materials would you use? What shapes would you make? Which colors? How would the music smell? If you could bite into the music, what would it taste like? Try this imaginary multisensorial sculpting exercise with at least two of your favorite pieces of music. Sounds of Color. Look at a reproduction of your favorite painting. Vocalize the sounds inspired by the colors, shapes, and textures on the canvas. Transpositions. Make a list of great artists and composers. Imagine transposing them based on their work, not their personalities. In other words, if Picasso were a composer who would he be? If Aaron Copland were a painter, who would he be? For example, perhaps, if Picasso were a musician he could be Stravinsky; and if Copland were a painter he might be Andrew Wyeth. This is a delightful exercise to do with friends. After everyone has offered a few transpositions, ask each person to explain their choices. Synesthetic Problem-Solving. Think back to one of the questions you worked with in Curiosita. Give it a color, shape, and texture. Imagine what it smells and tastes like. How does it feel? What are the textures, tastes, shapes, colors, and sounds of some possible solutions?

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POST-PRESENTATION ACTIVITY:

Practice Your Mind-Mapping Skills Mind mapping is an invaluable tool for simplifying complex tasks such as strategic planning, presentation preparation, meeting management, test preparation, and systems analysis. Probably it is best to make your first few mind maps on relatively simple, lighthearted subjects. Choose one of the following topics to practice your mind-mapping skill. Take about twenty minutes for this first practice map. Mind Map Your Favorite Movie. Begin with a simple drawing that represents your favorite movie's title. Print key words and draw images that express the characters, plot, and themes. Remember to put key words and images on lines radiating out from your central symbol. Mind Map Your Dream House. Explore the delightful fantasy of a dream house using a mind map. Start with a symbol of your paradise in the center and then branch out with key words and images that represent the elements of your ideal living environment. Remember, let your mind work by association instead of trying to put things down in order. Just generate ideas for your ideal environment. Then after you have come up with a multitude of possibilities, you can go back and put them in order. After you've made one or two practice mind maps, tackle the problem you wrote down at the seminar. Instructions: Think of an idea at work that you have been exploring. 1. Use a large piece of paper 2. Think of THE idea you would like to explore or the problem you would like to solve 3. In the center draw an abstract image of your topic 4. Free associate branches of the map use keywords, color, pictures - "Off the wall" is OK 5. Take a break and then generate another wave of branches 6. Take another break review look for connections and emerging themes connect related parts of your mind map with arrows, codes, colors, etc. Now, find relationships that can help you integrate and organize the most cogent ideas and then reorder them to reflect new possibilities or solutions.

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POST-PRESENTATION ACTIVITY: Assessing Corporalita The idea that a robust mind and a healthy body are linked was not original with Leonardo Da Vinci. It is one of the concepts from ancient Greece that was revived during the Renaissance, and it is a concept that is given lip service in our present-day civilization. But the reality is that as we move forward into the "information age", more and more work is done sedentary, and less and less time is devoted to maintaining physical health, let alone physical development. Many organizations want your "analytical and creative skills" without understanding that these depend as much on a well-developed physical being as on "brain power". Leonardo Da Vinci understood this fully more than 5 centuries ago, and he had a prescription for minimal physical and mental health. He wrote: "To keep in health these rules are wise: Beware of anger and avoid grievous moods. Rest your head and keep your mind cheerful. Be covered well at night. Exercise moderately. Shun wantonness, and pay attention to diet. Eat only when you want and sup light. Keep upright when you rise from the dining table. Do not be with the belly upwards or the head lowered. Let your wine be mixed with water, take a little at a time, not between meals and not on an empty stomach. Eat simple (i.e., vegetarian) food. Chew well. Go to the toilet regularly!"
Assess your own corporalita by putting a check mark next to each statement that describes you.

I am aerobically fit. I am getting stronger. My flexibility is improving. I know when my body is tense or relaxed. I am knowledgeable about diet and nutrition. Friends would describe me as graceful. I am becoming more ambidextrous. I am aware of the ways in which my physical state affects my attitudes. I am aware of the ways in which my attitudes affect my physical state. I have a good understanding of practical anatomy. I am well coordinated. I love to move. To make headway in developing your mental skills, it will be necessary to undertake improvements in your physical being. On the next page you will find some exercises to get you started on improving body awareness and condition.

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How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci

POST-PRESENTATION ACTIVITY:

Corporalita Exercises

Make a sketch of your own body: On the path of self-development, people often contemplate the classic question "Who am I?" You can make significant progress by asking another basic question: "Where am I?" Body image and body awareness play a tremendous role in our sense of who we are. Make a sketch of your whole body on a sheet of paper or in the space below. Don't worry about creating an artistic drawing just do a simple five-minute sketch; even a modified stick figure would be OK. After you've sketched your whole body, color in red the places where you feel the most tension and stress. Then with a black marker, delineate the points in your body where your energy seems blocked, the parts where you feel the least. Next use a green color to indicate the areas of your body that feel most alive, where the energy flows most freely. Most people have significant areas of red and black. Much of our unnecessary tension and stress is a result of ignorance and misinformation regarding our own natural structure and function. Inaccurate "body maps" result in misuse, exacerbating stress, and dulling awareness. If your self-portrait shows areas of tension and stress, find and begin a program of physical exercise aimed at relaxing and freeing up your body. Here's another simple exercise: Mirror Observation. Stand in front of a full-length mirror. Avoid judging or evaluating your appearance, just observe your reflection objectively, and record your answers below: Does your head tend to tilt to one side or the other? ________________________________________________________________ Is one shoulder higher than the other? ________________________________________________________________ Does your pelvis rock forward or is it held back? ________________________________________________________________

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How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci

Is your weight distributed evenly on your feet or do you depend on one leg more than the other for support? ________________________________________________________________ What parts of your body appear to be overly tense? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Are your pelvis, torso, and head in a balanced alignment? ________________________________________________________________ Review your responses. How does your actual appearance relate to the drawing you made of your body? Are you surprised by these results? Cultivate Ambidexterity. Leonardo, a natural left-hander, regularly switched hands when working on the Last Supper and other masterpieces. Begin your investigation of ambidexterity by exploring the power of your nondominant hand. Try the following exercises. Reverse Crossing. Practice interlocking your fingers and crossing your arms and legs in reverse of your normal pattern. See if you can wink your nondominant eye and roll your tongue over to both sides. Use Your Nondominant Hand. Try using your nondominant hand for a day, or part of a day to start. Turn on the lights, brush your teeth, eat your breakfast, unlock your front door with your other hand. Record your feelings and observations. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Experiment with Writing. Try signing your name with the other hand here: First attempt:______________________________________________________ Second attempt:___________________________________________________ Third attempt:_____________________________________________________ Fourth attempt_____________________________________________________ Fifth attempt:______________________________________________________

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How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci

About Michael Gelb


MICHAEL J. GELB is a modern Renaissance man with a lifelong fascination for the essence of creativity, the balance of mind and body, and a passion for awakening the fullness of human potential. After graduating with honors from Clark University with degrees in psychology and philosophy he spent a year in England at The International Academy for Continuous Education studying the esoteric traditions of the world with J.G. Bennett. While completing a three-year training as a teacher of the Alexander techniquea method of developing mind-body coordinationGelb earned a master's degree from Goddard College in psycho-physical re-education. His first book, Body Learning: An Introduction to the Alexander Technique, evolved from his master's thesis and was published in 1981. This was followed by Present Yourself: Captivate Your Audience with Great Presentation Skills. Gelb's practical exploration of balancing mind and body led to a fascination with the art of juggling. Supporting himself through graduate school by working as a professional juggler, Gelb appeared live on stage with both The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. In 1994 he, and co-author Tony Buzan, released Lessons from the Art of Juggling: How to Achieve Your Full Potential in Business, Learning and Life. In 1996, Gelb introduced the concept of Synvergent thinking in Thinking for a Change: Discovering Your Power to Create, Communicate and Lead. His audio programs, "Mind Mapping" and "Putting Your Creative Genius to Work" distributed by Nightingale-Conant, are also international bestsellers. Since 1978, Michael has been working with organizations around the world to optimize their human potential. His many clients include Amoco, AT&T, DuPont, IBM, Lucent Technologies, Merck, NPR, and Xerox. A passionate student and teacher of the martial art of Aikido, in which he holds a thirddegree black belt, and a lover of the game of chess, Gelb is co-author with Grand Master Raymond Keene of the recent Walker Kooks release Samurai Chess: Mastering Strategy Through the Martial Art of the Mind. Gelb's other passions include Italian language and culture, collecting art and wine, cooking, and the Japanese game of Go.

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RECOMMENDED READING CURIOSITA Adams, Kathleen. Journal to the Self New York: Warner Books, 1990. Filled with marvelous exercises for increasing self-knowledge. Fuller, Buckminster. Critical Path. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1981. Insights from a modern Renaissance man. Goldberg, Merrilee. The Art of the Question: A Guide to Short-Term Question Centered Therapy. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1998. A therapist's masterful application of Curiosita. Gross, Ron. Peak Learning. Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher, l 991. A handbook for lifelong learners. Progoff, Ira. At a Journal Workshop. New York: Dialogue House, 1975. Progoff is the modern pioneer in the use of journaling as a tool for personal growth. DIMOSTRAZIONE Alexander, F. M. The Use of the Self. New York: Dutton, 1932. An inspiring story of learning from experience. McCormack, Mark. What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School. New York: Bantam, 1984. Dimostrazione in the business world. Seligman, Martin. Learned Optimism. New York: Knopf, 1991. How to learn resilience in the face of adversity. Shah, Idries. The Wisdom of the Idiots. New York: Dutton,1971. A book about the Sufis, "disciples of experience." SENSAZIONE Ackerman, Diane. A Natural History of the Senses. New York: Vintage Books, 1991. The Chicago Tribune called it "an aphrodisiac for the sense receptors. Campbell, Don. The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit. New York: Avon Books' 1997. Collins, Terah Kathryn. The Western Guide to Feng Shui. Carlsbad, Calif.: Hay House, Inc., 1996.

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Cytowic, Richard. The Man Who Tasted Shapes. New York: Putnam,1993. A neurologist's creative investigation of synesthesia. Gregory, R. L. Eye and Brain: The Psychology of Seeing (fourth edition). New York: Oxford University Press, 1990. Rossbach, Sarah. Interior Design with Feng Shui. New York: Dutton,1987. A manual for creating "brain-nourishing environments." SFUMATO Agor, Weston. The Logic of Intuitive Decision Making. Westport, Conm: Greenwood Press, 1986. Agor makes a strong case for the use of intuition in managing complexity. Gelb, Michael J. Thinking for a Change: Discovering the Power to Create, Communicate, and Lead. New York: Harmony Books, 1996. Introduces the concept of "Synvergent Thinking," an approach to thriving with Sfumato. Johnson, Barry. Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems. Amherst, Mass.: Human Resource Development Press, 1992. Johnson's concept of Polarity Management is a brilliant example of applied Sfumato. May, Rollo. The Courage to Create. New York: Bantam, 1976. A seminal exposition of the central role of creative tension in a creative life. ARTE/SCIENZA Buzan, Tony. Use Both Sides of Your Brain (third edition). New York: Penguin, 1989. Buzan's classic work, originally published in 1971, established him as the father of "wholebrain" education. An invaluable guide for anyone interested in balancing Arte and Scienza. Buzan, Tony, and Barry Buzan. The Mind Map Book: Radiant Thinking. London: BBC Books, 1993. The bible of mind mapping. Wonder, Jacqueline. Whole Brain Thinking. New York: Ballantine, 1985. Are you more Arte or Scienza? Wonder offers the opportunity to test your brain dominance. CORPORALITA Anderson, Bob. Stretching. Bolinas, Calif.: Shelter Publications, 1980. Conable, Barbara and William. How to Learn the Alexander Technique. Columbus, Ohio: Andover Road Press, l991. The Conables introduced the concept of "body mapping."

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Cooper, Kenneth. New Aerobics. New York: Bantam, 1970. Fincher, Jack. Lefties: The Origin and Consequences of Being Left-Handed. New York: Putnam, 1977. An amusing and well-researched overview of the relationship between hand and brain. Gelb, Michael. Body Learning: An Introduction to the Alexander Technique. New York: Henry Holt & Company, 1987 (new edition, 1995). A guide to developing the Da Vincian qualities of poise, presence, and grace. Gelb, Michael, and Tony Buzan. Lessons from the Art of Juggling: How to Achieve Your Full Potential in Business, Learning, and Life. New York: Harmony Books, 1994. A unique approach to applied ambidexterity. CONNESSIONE Kodish, Susan and Bruce. Drive Yourself Sane: Using the Uncommon Sense of General Semantics. Englewood, N.J.: Institute of General Semantics, 1993. An approachable work on systems thinking and general semantics. Lao-Tzu. Tao Te Ching: A New English Version, with forward and notes by Stephen Mitchell. New York: Harper & Row, 1988. Taoism mirrors many of the maestro's insights. Russell, Peter. The Awakening Earth: Our Next Evolutionary Leap. A Connessione view of earth and human evolution. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1982. Senge, Peter M. The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization. New York: Doubleday, 1990. Guides the reader to see and understand patterns, relationships, and systems in business and everyday life. Wheatley, Margaret. Leadership and the New Science. San Francisco: Berret-Koehler Publishers,1992. Applications of the new physics to understanding organizations.

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