How To Think Like Leonardo da Vinci

How To Think Like Leonardo da Vinci

Seven Steps to Genius Every Day

by Michael Gelb

A great book to both learn about da Vinci and how any of us can live more like this great man. My flags...

pg 4 The theory of multiple intelligences is now accepted widely and when combined with the realization that intelligence can be developed throughout life, offers a powerful inspiration for aspiring Renaissance men and women.

pg 9 The Seven Da Vincian principles are:

Curiosta – an insatiable curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning.

Dimostrazione – a commitment to test the knowledge through experience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.

Sensazione – the continual refinement of the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience.

Sfumato (literally 'going up in smoke') – a willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty.

Arte/scienza – the development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination. 'Whole brain' thinking.

Coporalita – the cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise.

Connessione – a recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena. Systems thinking.

pg 66 Some people like to muse on the philosophical conundrum ''What is the meaning of life?'' But more practical philosophers ask ''How can I make my life meaningful?''

pg 87 Try a stream of conscious writing session on the topic ''What I would do differently if I had no fear of making mistakes.''

pg 93 Mark McCormack, author ''What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School'': ''A masters in business can sometimes block ability to master experience. Many of the MBAs we hired were either congenitally naïve or victims of their business training. The result was a kind of real-life learning disability – a failure to read people properly or to size up situations an uncanny knack for forming the wrong perceptions.'' The best leaders and managers know, as Leonardo did, that experience is the heart of wisdom.