To inspire our planning sessions, our team reads from a book titled How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day by Michael J. Gelb. Who better to inspire us than Leonardo himself, a person whose many talents extended beyond surface knowledge into an in depth discipline of the sciences? This book is a great read, partly because the author explores how Da Vinci approached his life’s work and shows the reader Leonardo’s original drawings, illustration and a framework for self-improvement. Here is an outline of the 7 Da Vincian Principles mentioned in the book:
Curiosita – An insatiably curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning.
Dimostrazion – A commitment to test knowledge through experience, persistence, and willingness to learn from mistakes.
Sensazione – The continual refinement of the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience.
Sfumato – Becoming open to the unknown. A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty.
Arte/Scienza – Whole-Brain thinking. The development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination.
Corporalita – The cultivation of grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise. Balancing the body and mind.
Connessione – A recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena.