Lessons from Daniel Pink #1

Daniel Pink in his book, “A Whole New Mind” makes a case for the increasing demand for right-brain skills such as synthesis, design, and storytelling abilities over left-brain skills that involve sequential or logical tasks. His later graphic novel, “Johnny Bunko – The Last Career Guide You Will Ever Need” illustrates beautifully how a right brainer should approach their career. There are 6 lessons contained in the book.

Lesson #1: There is no plan.

Being able to embrace this concept requires that you have enough curiosity and self-awareness to be informed by your life. Many people do not take into account the feedback they get on a daily basis about what brings them joy and passion for their lives.

I heard Jim Stowers (American Century, Stowers Institute) speak some years ago and he made a big impression on me. He was very humble and quiet (not a very good speaker in the traditional sense) but was such an exceptional man that he was unforgettable. He lived lesson #1. Jim told a story about meeting a woman, Virginia, in whom he was exceptionally interested. He had graduated from the University of Missouri Medical School and Virginia was a nurse. She told him she could never marry a doctor because physician’s schedules were too challenging and disruptive to family life. Jim gave up medicine! They went on to have a very long and happy marriage. Somehow, he trusted his strong desire to marry her as the next right next thing even though he had put a great deal of time and energy into his medical training. And he trusted life to bring him other opportunities where he could make a meaningful contribution. He was open to possibilities even though he had no idea what new doors would potentially open for him. He was willing to live with uncertainty.

Most people would not have taken such a big risk. What Jim Stowers had was a great gut that he trusted. (He also had a great mind and was a compassionate human being.) The good news is that anyone with enough inspired curiosity and the right help can develop their gut and learn to hear it more clearly. The gut does not rely on linear logic but is logical in its own way.

That is the journey and opportunity - to discover the reasoning and the language of the gut and integrate it with the logic of the mind and empathy of the heart. Great leaders know there is always another step to take in their growth no matter how much they know or have accomplished. What is most exciting about continuing to develop emotional intelligence is that there is no cap on it. You can continually become more tuned in to yourself and to others. Capacity is developed by pushing the boundaries of where you are currently and consciously leaping into discovering the next step.

Posted by Lidia on 07/23/09

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