

Curiosity may be the most powerful force behind innovation, learning, and change. Therefore, I recently read the new Leonardo Da Vinci biography exceptionally written by Walter Isaacson to dive into understanding history’s most curious human. Isaacson used 500 pages to encapsulate Leonardo Da Vinci’s genius including a highly insightful summary at the end of his book. Although I dare not attempt to replicate his significant work, I would like to share with creatives and those who nurture creative environments in their organizations several lessons that I took from this book
Arguably history’s greatest artist, Da Vinci was also one of its greatest scientists. His genius crossed many scientific disciplines including Architecture, Anatomy, Geometry, Aeronautics, Hydraulics, Physiology, Optics, Mechanical and Military Engineering, Robotics, Zoology, and Waterworks. However, his most lucrative talent was in theatrical production where he designed and planned lavish festivals in his home towns of Florence and Milan.
Curiosity may be the most powerful force behind innovation, learning, and change. Therefore, I recently read the new Leonardo Da Vinci biography exceptionally written by Walter Isaacson to dive into understanding history’s most curious human. Isaacson used 500 pages to encapsulate Leonardo Da Vinci’s genius including a highly insightful summary at the end of his book. Although I dare not attempt to replicate his significant work, I would like to share with creatives and those who nurture creative environments in their organizations several lessons that I took from this book
Arguably history’s greatest artist, Da Vinci was also one of its greatest scientists. His genius crossed many scientific disciplines including Architecture, Anatomy, Geometry, Aeronautics, Hydraulics, Physiology, Optics, Mechanical and Military Engineering, Robotics, Zoology, and Waterworks. However, his most lucrative talent was in theatrical production where he designed and planned lavish festivals in his home towns of Florence and Milan.
Da Vinci was never ashamed of his curiosity or uniqueness. He typically operated in a child-like fantasy world allowing his mind to drift wherever it wanted it to go. He was flamboyant, authentic, and unabashedly alternative. He was secure and self-assured and completely absorbed in his greater purpose. Not money, but safety, appreciation, and freedom to explore were his priorities in selecting his work. Da Vinci didn’t create for others, he created to satisfy his insatiable intellectual appetite.
Da Vinci’s thirst for learning led him to community. He was a social man and was a frequent dinner host to engage with others. He had an open heart and was interested in learning and sharing with diverse sets of people and used their input to build upon his ideas and approaches. Da Vinci was a team player and some of his most enjoyable experiences and important works were collaborative efforts with others.
Da Vinci may also be the world’s greatest perfectionist. He chose to abandon lucrative or unfinished work if it did not meet his standards of perfection. He held several his greatest paintings, including the Mona Lisa, until his death to continually perfect them as he accumulated additional knowledge to improve them.
While today’s ever-changing world becomes exceedingly chaotic and complex, we need relentlessly curious leaders and innovation-based organizations that support them to tackle our most challenging problems and promising opportunities. What can we learn from Leonardo Da Vinci? Here are several of my thoughts,
Leonardo Da Vinci taught us that curiosity is the basis for creativity and innovation. The more relentless our curiosity, the more likely we will be innovative and creative, and possibly one step closer to perfection.
Da Vinci was never ashamed of his curiosity or uniqueness. He typically operated in a child-like fantasy world allowing his mind to drift wherever it wanted it to go. He was flamboyant, authentic, and unabashedly alternative. He was secure and self-assured and completely absorbed in his greater purpose. Not money, but safety, appreciation, and freedom to explore were his priorities in selecting his work. Da Vinci didn’t create for others, he created to satisfy his insatiable intellectual appetite.
Da Vinci’s thirst for learning led him to community. He was a social man and was a frequent dinner host to engage with others. He had an open heart and was interested in learning and sharing with diverse sets of people and used their input to build upon his ideas and approaches. Da Vinci was a team player and some of his most enjoyable experiences and important works were collaborative efforts with others.
Da Vinci may also be the world’s greatest perfectionist. He chose to abandon lucrative or unfinished work if it did not meet his standards of perfection. He held several his greatest paintings, including the Mona Lisa, until his death to continually perfect them as he accumulated additional knowledge to improve them.
While today’s ever-changing world becomes exceedingly chaotic and complex, we need relentlessly curious leaders and innovation-based organizations that support them to tackle our most challenging problems and promising opportunities. What can we learn from Leonardo Da Vinci? Here are several of my thoughts,
Leonardo Da Vinci taught us that curiosity is the basis for creativity and innovation. The more relentless our curiosity, the more likely we will be innovative and creative, and possibly one step closer to perfection.
If we want to build innovative organizations, we should start by creating curious organizations which nurture and enhance the curiosity of people.
Are you curious about how OrgForce Consulting can help you harness the Power of Curiosity? Contact David Miller at (301) 633-1684 or dmiller@org-force.com to learn more.
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