Leonardo da Vinci was the ultimate Renaissance man: an accomplished scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, musician, and writer. As a leader, an entrepreneur, a boss, we can learn a lot from the Principles of Leonardo Da Vinci:
1-Curiosita – You need an insatiable curiosity for life.
Great minds have one characteristic in common: they continuously ask questions throughout their lives.
2-Dimostrazione– A commitment to test knowledge through experience.
Wisdom comes from experience and the principle of Dimostrazione helps you get the most out of your experience
3-Sensazione– The continual refinement of the senses, especially sight, as the means to clarify experience.
According to Da Vinci, we can best practice Dimostrazione through our senses, particularly sight.
4-Sfumato- A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty.
An essential characteristic of Da Vinci’s genius is his ability to handle a sense of mystery.
5-Arte/Scienza– The development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination (“whole-brain thinking”).
The development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination”. This is thinking with the “whole brain”.
6-Corporalita- The cultivation of ambidexterity, fitness, and poise.
Corporalità is “the cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise”. Leonardo had amazing physical ability that complemented his genius in science and arts.
7-Connessione – A recognition and appreciation for the connectedness of all things and phenomena; “systems thinking.”
In other words, is systems thinking. One main source of Leonardo’s creativity is his ability to form new patterns through connections and combinations of different elements.
Genius is made, not born. Leadership is cultivated, not positioned.
We are gifted with an almost unlimited potential for learning and creativity.
We can uncover our own hidden abilities, sharpen our senses, and liberate our unique intelligence—by following the principles of Leonardo Da Vinci.
Source Material “How to Think like Leonardo Da Vinci” by Michael Gelb
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.
David Truss
02. May, 2011
Greetings. I thought I’d share a blog post that a former student of mine wrote, based on these principles:
How to Prevent Another Leonardo da Vinci
http://wanderingink.net/?p=49
I think it is an interesting read.
Cheers,
Dave.
Sharon Corsaro
02. May, 2011
Brilliant Lolly! So look forward to this session tomorrow… Love the uncovering, and using of, DaVinci’s work… A brilliant man with a legacy well worth noting – AND learning from! Really love this ~ I plan on being there Tuesday, #LeadFromWithin Twitter Chat – 8 pm Eastern. Thank you!
lollydaskal
02. May, 2011
Sharon, We look forward to listening, reading, absorbing and embracing your insights and wisdom.
Blessings
Lolly
Micah
02. May, 2011
Hey Lolly, great post. I really appreciate #4, Sfumato. I think it is particularly relevant in our current times of constant change and movement. There are many subjects like failure that require leaders to embrace a bit of a paradox. We must succeed, but at the same time embrace failure as part of the path to success. Jim Collins write about this acceptance or paradox as well, referencing it as the Stockdale Paradox.
lollydaskal
02. May, 2011
Micah,
Thanks for stopping by.
I hope you can join us tomorrow night when we discuss and clarify in our tweetchat Leonardo Da Vinci’s principles and how it pertains to our lives and leadership.
Bring your insights and wisdom. We would love to hear you thoughts.
Blessings
Lolly
Dax MaxGregor
03. May, 2011
Lolly, I’ve always been in awe of DaVinci. His scientific accomplishments and his artistic accomplishments can each standalone and qualify as genius.
His demonstration of genius in in both areas places him in rarified air.
I’ve never seen these before. They are quite an inspiration. I’m bookmarking these for the future.
Thanks!
lollydaskal
03. May, 2011
Join us this evening and learn a lot more about Leonardo Da Vinci.
Thanks for stopping by
Lolly
Owen Marcus
09. May, 2011
I love this. Particularly – Sfumato- A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty.
I do that without trying…
Steve Frechette
16. May, 2011
Enjoyed your post. Davinci has a great quote: “Some will see. Some will see when shown. Some will never see.” Like your blog because I think you have it right.
Business is about leading others. To leaders others, must know others. To know others, we must know ourselves. To know thyself is to understand yourself. To understand yourself, well, that’s the focus of it all.
Look forward to reading your blog. -steve frechette
Lori Ermi
21. Jan, 2012
I really love this! This is so innovative. I am going to have fun following you! Nice work Lolly!
Earl
15. Aug, 2013
We are studying this book in my MBA program and it is amazing!!!! Such a thinker … so…. acutely aware of the greatness and majesty of life that he dedicated his life to learning and expanding the mind. Wow……