Have you ever believed you have more inside you? More potential? More to give? I certainly have and I found a book that can help us both.

I recently finished How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day by Michael Gelb. I enjoyed the book because it includes a brief history of da Vinci’s life and achievements combined with a deep look into his thinking and the practices that embodied his work. Each section includes some exercises to help expand the reader’s thinking.

Gelb opens the book with this statement:

Although it is hard to overstate Leonard da Vinci’s brilliance, recent scientific research reveals that you probably underestimate your own capabilities.

I couldn’t agree more.

We’re in the middle of a real renaissance in the leadership community and the lessons and exercises in this book can help you be a part of it. This is a must-read for any leaders and service professionals looking to make a real different in the work they do.

Thinking like da Vinci is built around seven principles:

1. Curiosità: having insatiable curiosity and learning continuously


2. Dimostrazione: testing knowledge through experience


3. Sensazione: refining of the senses


4. Sfumato: embracing ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty


5. Arte / Scienza: practicing “whole brain” thinking


6. Corporalita: acquiring grace, poise and physical fitness


7. Connessione: recognizing and appreciating the interconnectedness of things

My Favorites

I loved the entire construct of the book, but two areas really stood out to me:

Curiosità

One of the main practices that illustrates da Vinci’s insatiable curiosity and love for learning was his use of notebooks. He used them to record his thoughts, ideas, inventions and drawings. He also used them to observe interesting words and build a personal lexicon.

Whole Brain Thinking (Arte / Scienza)

I think my favorite exercise was on creating mind maps. Since I started using them, I have found mind maps to be a great way to organize the thoughts in my head, by visually documenting them on paper. I even used a mind map to record the major points from the book and plan for this podcast.

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Deep, creative thinking is such an important part of leading and thriving in the world today, and learning to think a little more like Leonardo will go a long way to helping us all be more successful.

Episode Resources

• Book: How To Think Like Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Gelb


• Article: Ask More Questions


• Article: Be Winston Wolf, Solve Problems For Your Customer


• Article: Your Whole Self


• Article: Reframe Problems To Turn Prospects Into Paying Customers


• Podcast: Creativity Is Everybody’s Business


• Podcast: The Cat Is Alive and Well – Go, Be Curious


• Podcast: Making Connections

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The post #052 How To Think Like Leonardo da Vinci [Leadership Success Podcast] appeared first on David P. Mariano | Finance Career Launch.