Participant Materials

How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci:

Liberating Creativity and Innovation in the Workplace
Featuring Michael Gelb

Participant Materials created by PBSThe Business & Technology Network

Program produced by Impact Television
PBS and the PBS logo are trademarks and service marks of the Public Broadcasting Service and are used with its permission.
©2001 National Technological University Corporation
All Rights Reserved.
Dear Participant,

Welcome to How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci. Today's presentation is based on the
best-selling book How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day,
by Michael Gelb, founder and president of The High Performance Learning© Center.
Michael Gelb is a widely known expert in creative approaches to improving performance. He
has worked with numerous businesses including Amoco, AT&T, DuPont, Ford, IBM, National
Public Radio and Xerox, to teach their leaders and staff the same Da Vinci principles he will
be presenting to you today.

In addition to his ground-breaking work on Leonardo Da Vinci, Michael Gelb is widely known
as the author of Mind Mapping, Body Learning, Thinking for a Change, Samurai Chess (with
Grand Master Raymond Keene), and Lessons from the Art of Juggling (with Tony Buzan).

Exploring the art, sculpture, music and notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci, Michael Gelb
identified seven key principles in the thinking of this great genius. He asserts that these
principles can be taught, and that anyone can learn how to think like a genius.

Today's program provides new approaches to inspiring creativity, developing critical thinking
skills, and generating new ideas. In the next two and a half hours, Michael Gelb will share
the seven principles and invite you to participate in understanding them and actively
practicing them.

While viewing the presentation, follow along and take notes in this participant guide. It cues
you to key learning points and includes numerous activities and specified "homework" to
enable your learning. Be prepared to have your customary ways of thinking challenged.

Today's organizations desperately need people who have both analytical skills and bold
imagination, who can create innovative products and new businesses. Michael Gelb's
presentation – and the tools it contains – can help you and your organization achieve new
levels of performance.

Of course, Leonardo Da Vinci did not develop his genius overnight, nor did Michael Gelb
learn how to understand that genius and apply his methods in just a couple of hours. Simply
watching today’s program will not transform you into an instant genius. It requires rigorous
self-development and learning through practice. To facilitate this learning, activities for
before, during and after the seminar have been designed to accompany the presentation.
Look for cues in the section entitled “How to Get the Most Out of This Seminar” beginning on
page 5. There is also a useful list of resources at the end of the participant's guide,
beginning on page 34.

For those participating in the live presentation of the program, you will have the opportunity
to ask questions by phone, fax, or e-mail.

Telephone: 800.848.1109
Fax: 301.280.1760
E-mail: [email protected]
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Program Outline Page

Introduction 7
Maximizing Our Potential 8
Learning from Leonardo: 7 Steps to Genius Every Day 9
Activity 1: Assessing your Curiosita 10
CURIOSITA: Approaching life with insatiable curiosity
and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning
Activity 2: Curiosita Skill Builder 11
DIMOSTRAZIONE: Committing to test knowledge through
experience, persistence and a willingness to learn from mistakes
Activity 3: Dimostrazione Assessment and Skill Builder 15
SENSAZIONE: Continually refining the senses, especially
sight, as the means to enliven experience
Homework 1.
SFUMATO: Embracing ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty
Activity 4: Assessing Sfumato 17
Activity 5: Sfumato Skill Builder 20
INTERMISSION - 5 minute break
Learning from Leonardo: 7 Steps to Genius Every Day (continued)
ARTE/SCIENZA: Balancing science and art, logic and
imagination - ‘whole-brain thinking’
Activity 6: Arte/Scienza Assessment - Left-brain/right-brain 24
Activity 7: Arte/Scienza Skill Builder - Mind mapping 28
Homework 2.
CORPORALITA: Cultivating grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise
Homework 3.
CONNESSIONE: Recognizing and appreciating the
interconnectedness of all things – ‘systems thinking’
Activity 8: Connessione Assessment 30
Activity 9: Connessione Skill Builder 31
INTERMISSION - 5 minute break
Question and Answer session 32
Wrap up 33
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What You Will Learn:

By participating in this seminar, you will be able to:

 Increase your creative capabilities every day

 Apply methods to balance critical and analytical thinking with imagination

 Expand your ability to generate new ideas

 Use mind maps to navigate through ambiguity and uncertainty

 Identify how to apply "systems thinking" to problem solving

 Nurture creativity and innovation in your organization

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How To Get The Most Out Of This Seminar. . .

Pre-Presentation Activities
 Prepare yourself for challenge. Some of the concepts presented in this seminar may
ask you to stretch the scope of your thinking.

 Open yourself to new ideas, it is often helpful to relax both mind and body through
simple breathing exercises. Begin by sitting erect with your back straight and your
head centered above the torso. Let your arms dangle loosely. Rest your hands on
your thighs or knees with your elbows close to your body.

 Close your eyes to avoid being distracted, and breathe in a deep breath slowly until
your lungs are full. Then exhale at a slightly more rapid rate and breathe in slowly
again. Envision the air entering and leaving your body. Repeat this for a minute or
two.

Since the purpose of this exercise is to help tension fall away, you should "pass" if it makes
you uncomfortable to do this among colleagues. On the other hand, the peaceful feeling that
is induced by this practice might just be worth the risk of discomfort.

During this Program

 Participate! Learning is not a passive activity. You can absorb a lot by just
looking and listening, but you'll learn a great deal more if you are actively
involved.

 Take notes in the space provided in this participant guide. Different people take
notes differently. This has been accommodated by providing blank space for
notes without ruled lines. To get the most out of this program, you might want to
take notes in a way that is new for you. If you are accustomed to writing notes
out, try drawing pictures instead to capture your ideas. If you usually doodle your
way through notes, try structuring your notes in outline form. If you are a super
stenographer who always catches the content verbatim, try taking notes with your
non-dominant hand! Pages have been identified with key words to act as cues for
your notes.

 Contribute to the discussion. Jot down any questions that come to mind during
the presentation and fax or email them. You can also collect your questions on
page 32 and then call in your question during the question and answer period at
the end of the program.
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 Engage in the learning activities. Throughout the seminar there will be

opportunities to participate in activities designed to reinforce the learning.
Although you will be pressed for time, be sure to at least begin each activity, and
write down any questions that arise during the work. If you begin each activity it
will be easier for you to return later to those that you could not complete.

 Fill out and submit the evaluation form.

Post-Presentation Activities

 Complete any unfinished activities. These are important skill-builders that will
help you internalize the Da Vinci principles.

 Do the "homework". You will find a wealth of post-presentation activities

beginning on page 34. Because there is not enough time during the seminar to
practice each of the Da Vinci principles, activities have been provided that will not
only reinforce the learning, but will help you apply what you have learned in your
organization.

 Share what you have learned with other members of your organization who were
not present at the seminar.

 Read Michael Gelb's book, How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps
to Genius Every Day (Delacorte Press, New York, 1998).

 Consider using the resources listed at the end of the participant's guide to learn
more, and to develop one or more new skills that will expand your brain's
capability. The "recommended reading" list begins on page 46.
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Introduction
For more than five centuries Western civilization has viewed with admiration and awe
the life and works of a great genius of the Renaissance, Leonardo Da Vinci. The
phrase "Renaissance man", which is used to describe anyone with a multitude of
talents and skills, might have been coined to describe Leonardo Da Vinci. He was a
painter whose masterpieces still influence artists today and delight all who see them.
He was an astronomer, a musician, a scientist, an inventor, and a profound
philosopher, who kept meticulous notes and sketches of all he thought and observed.

How did he achieve all this? Da Vinci himself has recorded his methods and has
described how to think, how to develop and use our inherent capabilities, how to
integrate everything we learn into one harmonious whole.

Five centuries later, as people search for new ways to improve the performance of
their organizations, Da Vinci's ideas have re-emerged as the buzzwords of
management theory. When we speak of

"continuous learning",
"whole-brain thinking",
"mind-body connection"
"brainstorming",
"systems thinking",
"thriving on chaos",

we are simply using new language to describe concepts set down long ago by
Leonardo Da Vinci.

In today's global marketplace, all organizations are searching for ways to revitalize
themselves. Corporations, government entities and non-profits all need to find new
methods of working, new ways to organize themselves, new products and services in
a rapidly changing world. People in organizations are being called upon to develop
competencies that will enlarge their own scope and will yield innovation and
productivity for their organizations. For these people, Leonardo Da Vinci has a
message: If you are willing to apply yourself, you can learn how to think like a genius!
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Notes

Introduction to Michael Gelb:

Leonardo Da Vinci:

Maximizing Our Potential - You don't have to be a genius to think like one:
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Learning from Leonardo:

Seven Steps to Genius Every Day

 CURIOSITA:
Approaching life with insatiable curiosity and an unrelenting quest for continuous
learning

 DIMOSTRAZIONE:
Committing to test knowledge through experience, persistence and a willingness to
learn from mistakes

 SENSAZIONE:
Continually refining the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience

 SFUMATO
Embracing ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty

 ARTE/SCIENZA
Balancing science and art, logic and imagination - ‘whole-brain thinking’

 CORPORALITA
Cultivating grace, ambidexterity, fitness, and poise

 CONNESSIONE
Recognizing and appreciating the interconnectedness of all things – ‘systems
thinking’
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Notes
Curiosita: Approaching life with insatiable curiosity and an unrelenting quest for continuous
learning:

ACTIVITY 1:

Assessing Your Curiosita

Your curiosita is what brought you to this seminar. Your desire to learn and develop your
natural abilities is the fountain from which all Da Vincian practices will flow. Begin by
answering the questions below. Your answers will indicate how well you are already using
your curiosita, and where there is room for improvement.

True False
My friends would describe me as open-minded & curious.
I am always learning something new.
I seek out new perspectives when facing an important decision.
I take adequate time for reflection.
I am a voracious reader.
When I hear a new word, I always look it up.
I solicit feedback from friends, relations & colleagues.
I love learning.
I am skilled at identifying and solving problems.
I keep a journal to record insights and questions.
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Notes

What If? . . . :

ACTIVITY 2:

Curiosita Skill Builder:

"What, When, Who, How, Where, Why… and What if"?

Think of a real problem or question that you are concerned with in your work or within your
organization. Write your question or problem statement below, and then fill in answers to
"what, when, who, how, where, and why". Some cues have been provided to stimulate
your thinking.

Once the problem has been explored, set the problem aside for a while, and then, when
you return to it, propose as many "what if" scenarios as you can think of. Enlist the help of
colleagues and associates. Record all scenarios, no matter how outrageous they seem at
first. Then select one or more scenarios, and subject them to the six-question treatment.

QUESTION/PROBLEM STATEMENT:

What . . .

is the problem? are the underlying issues? preconceptions, prejudices, or paradigms

may be influencing my perception ? will happen if I ignore it? problems may be
caused by solving this problem? metaphors from nature can I use to illuminate it?
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When. . .

did it start? does it happen? doesn't it happen? will the consequences of it be felt?
must it be resolved?

Who. . .

cares about it? is affected by it? created it? perpetuates it? can help solve it?

How. . .

does it happen? can I get more objective information? can I look at it from unfamiliar
perspectives? can it be changed? will I know that it has been solved?

Where. . .

does it happen? did it begin? haven't I looked? else has this happened?

Why. . .

is it important? did it start? does it continue?

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(Ask Why, Why, Why, Why, Why . . . to get to the bottom of an issue.)

What have you learned about your question or problem from asking these questions?
Summarize your insights below.

What if…

(Try this exercise with others in a group problem-solving session.)

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Notes

Dimostrazione: Committing to test knowledge through experience, persistence, and a

willingness to learn from mistakes:

Open-mindedness:

Persistence:

Willing to make mistakes:

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ACTIVITY 3:

Dimostrazione: Assessment & Skill-Builder

Rate yourself with these questions, answering "mostly yes" or "mostly no". For each
question, jot down an instance in your experience when the answer was "yes" and an
instance when the answer was "no":

 Do I view mistakes as learning experiences? Y N

"Yes" example

"No" example

 Am I willing to acknowledge my mistakes? Y N

"Yes" example

"No" example

 Do I question ‘conventional wisdom’ and authority? Y N

"Yes" example

"No" example

 Do I persevere in the face of obstacles? Y N

"Yes" example

"No" example

 Now, select a problem at work and ask, "How would I handle it differently if I weren’t
afraid of making mistakes"?

Write your answer here:

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Notes

Sensazione: Continually refining the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven
experience:

Sfumato: Embracing ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty:

Mona Lisa:

Ambiguity and uncertainty:

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ACTIVITY 4:
Assessing Sfumato

In this activity you will be assessing the degree to which you embrace ambiguity, paradox
and uncertainty. In the following list, quickly rate yourself on a scale of 1-5, where 1
represents a need for certainty at all times, and 5 represents a well-developed capacity for
ambiguity and comfort with uncertainty and paradox. Then, go back and write down an
example from recent experience which illustrates your self-rating. Finally, add up your
"score". A total less than 30 indicates a strong need to develop your ability to "go up in
smoke" if you want to think like Leonardo Da Vinci.

I am comfortable with ambiguity. 1 2 3 4 5

Example:

I am in touch with my intuition. 1 2 3 4 5

Example:

I thrive on change. 1 2 3 4 5
Example:

I see the humor in life every day. 1 2 3 4 5

Example:

I know when I feel anxious. 1 2 3 4 5

Example:

I spend sufficient time with myself. 1 2 3 4

5
Example:

I trust my gut. 1 2 3 4
5
Example:
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I can hold contradictory ideas in my mind. 1 2 3 4 5

Example:

I delight in paradox and irony. 1 2 3 4 5

Example:

I believe that conflict often

inspires creativity. 1 2 3 4 5
Example:
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Notes

Tolerating uncertainty:

Intuition:
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ACTIVITY 5:
Sfumato: Skill Building
Here are two activities aimed at strengthening your Sfumato skills. Select one of them to
get started on during the seminar, and plan to come back afterward to complete the other.

Activity 1:

Cultivate Confusion Endurance: The Sfumato principle asks us to sharpen our senses in
the face of paradox and embrace creative tension. It is useful to explore the paradoxes in
our everyday lives. For example:

 Strengths and weaknesses. List at least three of your personal weaknesses. Then list
three or more of your personal strengths.

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

How are these qualities related?

 Goals and process. Write down an important goal you accomplished at work.

Describe the process you followed. How do goal and process relate?

Have you ever achieved success without experiencing fulfillment?

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In your personal experience does the end justify the means? Why, or why not?

You can continue this exercise indefinitely by examining other paradox pairs in your life:
Joy and sorrow, good and evil, change and constancy, humility and pride, etc.

Activity 2:

Making space for incubation: When do you get your best ideas? Think of a moment of
creative breakthrough. Trace the process. Were you alone? What kind of input preceded
the breakthrough? Did you have to take a break? How long a break? Do you have a strong
faith in your creative process? Give examples of success.
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Welcome back from the break. In the first section of our program, we looked at:
 Human potential
 The genius of Leonardo Da Vinci

We then explored the first four of seven steps to genius every day:

 CURIOSITA:
Approaching life with insatiable curiosity and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning
 DIMOSTRAZIONE:
Committing to test knowledge through experience, persistence and a willingness to learn
from mistakes
 SENSAZIONE:
Continually refining the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven experience
 SFUMATO
Embracing ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty

In this next section we will continue learning from Leonardo by taking a closer look at the last
three of the seven steps:

 ARTE/SCIENZA
Balancing science and art, logic and imagination - ‘whole-brain thinking’
 CORPORALITA
Cultivating grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise
 CONNESSIONE
Recognizing and appreciating the interconnectedness of all things – ‘systems thinking’
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Notes

Arte/Scienza: Balancing science and art, logic and imagination - ‘whole-brain thinking’:

Whole-brain thinking:
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ACTIVITY 6:
Arte/Scienza
Assessment (Left-
brain/Right-brain)

This self-assessment is designed to help you get a rough idea as to whether you tend to be
"left-brained" or "right-brained". Circle a value from 1 to 5 for each statement, where 5 is
"very much so" and 1 is "not at all".

I like details. 1 2 3 4 5

I am almost always on time. 1 2 3 4 5

I am skilled at math. 1 2 3 4 5

I rely on logic. 1 2 3 4 5

I write clearly. 1 2 3 4 5

Friends describe me as articulate. 1 2 3 4 5

Analysis is one of my strengths. 1 2 3 4 5

I am organized and disciplined. 1 2 3 4 5

I like lists. 1 2 3 4 5

I start a book at page 1 and read in order. 1 2 3 4 5

The preceding list describes a classic "left-brained" person. See how you do on this next list:

I am highly imaginative. 1 2 3 4 5

I am good at brainstorming. 1 2 3 4 5

I often say or do the unexpected. 1 2 3 4 5

I love to doodle. 1 2 3 4 5
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In school, I was better at

geometry than algebra. 1 2 3 4 5

I read a book by skipping around. 1 2 3 4 5

I look at the big picture, leave the

details to others. 1 2 3 4 5

I often lose track of time. 1 2 3 4 5

I rely on intuition. 1 2 3 4 5

Most people have a proclivity toward one hemisphere or the other of the brain. Was that
your result? Of course, all people have a "left-brain" and a "right-brain". Looking at your own
answers, you can see that you have some characteristics of each. But having a proclivity
toward one hemisphere points at the opportunity to bring the brain in balance - balancing
Arte and Scienza - by developing the less prominent capabilities of the brain.
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Mind Mapping

The Rules

1) Begin your mind map with a symbol or a picture (representing your topic) at the
center of your page.

Starting at the center opens your mind to a full 360 degrees of association. Pictures and
symbols are much easier to remember than words. Drawing a picture or symbol stimulates
your right hemisphere and strengthens your ability to think creatively about your subject.

2) Use key words.

Key words are the information-rich "nuggets" of recall and creative association. Choosing key
words exercises your analytical "left brain" and helps you find the essence of your subject.

3) Connect the key words with lines radiating from your central image.

By linking words with lines ("branches"), you'll show clearly how one key word relates to
another.

4) Print your key words.

Printing is easier to read and remember than writing.

5) Print one key word per line.

By doing this, you free yourself to discover the maximum number of creative associations for
each key word. The discipline of one word per line also trains you to focus on the most
appropriate key word, enhancing the precision of your thought and minimizing clutter.

6) Print your key words on the lines and make the length of the word the same as the
line it is on.

This maximizes clarity of association and encourages economy of space.

7) Use colors, pictures, dimension, and codes for greater association and emphasis.
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Highlight important points and illustrate relationships between different branches of your
mind map. You might, for instance, prioritize your main points through color-coding,
highlighting in yellow the most important points, using blue for secondary points, and so forth.
Pictures and images, preferably in vivid color, should be used wherever possible; they
stimulate your creative association and greatly enhance your memory.
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ACTIVITY 7:
Arte / Scienza Skill Builder

Mind mapping activates both Arte and Scienza – your whole brain. Mind maps let you
organize your material logically and even sequentially, while encouraging imagination and
spontaneity. Mind maps record in detail where you've been, while suggesting a multitude of
potential next steps.

Practice this important skill. Begin by creating a mind map in the space below of what you
have learned so far in this seminar:

Write down a problem at work you would like to solve:

Plan to mind map this problem and brainstorm solutions later. Share the mind mapping
technique with colleagues and associates and enlist their help in using a mind map to define
and solve this problem. You will find a valuable mind-mapping post-presentation activity on
page 39.
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Notes

Corporalita: Cultivating grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise:

Fitness and grace:

Connessione: Recognizing and appreciating the interconnectedness of all things –

‘systems thinking’:

Juggling:
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ACTIVITY 8:
Connessione Assessment

The ability to see the interconnectedness of things, to appreciate how separate things and
phenomena relate to the whole is often called "systems thinking". Do you think of yourself
as a ‘systems thinker’? Answer these questions on a scale of 1-5, where 1 is "never" or
"not at all" and 5 is "always" or "completely".

I enjoy analogies and metaphors. 1 2 3 4 5

I frequently make connections

other people miss. 1 2 3 4 5

I can articulate systems dynamics –patterns,

connections, and networks –in the workplace. 1 2 3 4 5

I seek a ‘holistic’ approach to health. 1 2 3 4 5

My life goals and work are integrated

with my values. 1 2 3 4 5

I study the details to grasp the ‘whole’. 1 2 3 4 5

At times I feel connected with all creation. 1 2 3 4 5

Why would you want to improve your Connessione?

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Notes

Systems Thinking:

ACTIVITY 9:
Connessione Skill Builder

Metaphors and analogies are useful ways to make connections that are not otherwise
apparent. You can practice making connections by using the body metaphor to explore the
dynamics of your organization, department or work unit:

Which organization are you exploring?

Who is the head?
Who is the heart?
What is the stage of our development?
Is the head in harmony with the body?

What is the quality of nourishment?

How is our circulation?
What is our backbone?
Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing?
Are we ambidextrous?
What is the state of our health? Chronic maladies? Growing pains? Life threatening
disease?

What are we doing to be more fit?

Where do I fit in?

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Question Sheet

Use this form to write your questions for Michael Gelb or for discussion among your
colleagues. Please write clearly.

Name (optional)
Organization
Location

Your question (25 words or less):

Tel 800-848-1109 (USA and Canada)

Fax 301-280-1760
E-mail [email protected]

PBS and the PBS logo are trademarks and service marks of the Public Broadcasting Service and are used with its permission.
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Wrap-up

In today's session we focussed on your unlimited potential to liberate your creativity and
ignite innovation in your organization. We learned that some of the most modern ideas
about creativity and high performance were actually formulated centuries ago by a great
genius, Leonardo Da Vinci.

Michael Gelb helped us learn from Leonardo by explaining the "seven steps to genius
every day":

 CURIOSITA:
Approaching life with insatiable curiosity and an unrelenting quest for
continuous learning
 DIMOSTRAZIONE:
Committing to test knowledge through experience, persistence and a
willingness to learn from mistakes
 SENSAZIONE:
Continually refining the senses, especially sight, as the means to enliven
experience
 SFUMATO
Embracing ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty
 ARTE/SCIENZA
Balancing science and art, logic and imagination - ‘whole-brain thinking’
 CORPORALITA
Cultivating grace, ambidexterity, fitness and poise
 CONNESSIONE
Recognizing and appreciating the interconnectedness of all things – ‘systems
thinking’
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In his presentation, Michael Gelb explained the method for using these seven principles. A
wealth of exercises has been provided for your use both during the presentation and
afterward, offering opportunities to learn and develop the skills embodied in this method.

Not everyone can be a genius. But through rigor and dedicated application, anyone can
learn how to think like a genius. With this knowledge and these tools at your disposal, you
and your organization can begin a new period of increased creativity and innovation.

Post-Presentation Activities

During this seminar there was not enough time to assess and build skills relating to all
seven of the Da Vinci principles. Beginning on the next page you will find a series of
activities that will augment the work you did during the seminar. Before tackling these, be
sure to go back and complete the activities you began during the seminar. You will note
that some of those also have post-presentation components.
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POST-PRESENTATION ACTIVITY:

Assessing Sensazione

Think of the time in the past year when you felt most alive. Chances are that you can
conjure up all the images and sensations associated with that event, because at such times
your senses tend to be heightened and focused. By refining your Sensazione, you will be
able to bring the sensory aliveness of your peak experiences to your life every day.

In the pages that follow you will find some suggestions for activities and exercises designed
to develop your Sensazione. As before, it is helpful to assess the current state of your
Sensazione. Begin by ticking off the checklists below to help identify where your senses are
most developed and which senses need more work.

Self-Assessment: Vision
When different colors and hues are side by side, I am sensitive as to whether they
harmonize or clash.
I know the color of all my friends' eyes.
I look out into the far horizon and up to the sky at least once a day.

I am good at describing a scene in detail.

I like doodling and drawing.
Friends would describe me as alert.
I am sensitive to subtle changes in lighting.
I can picture things clearly in my mind's eye.

Self-Assessment: Hearing
Friends describe me as a good listener.
I am sensitive to noise.
I can tell when someone is singing off-key.
I can sing on key.
I listen to jazz or classical music regularly.
I can distinguish the melody from the bass line in a piece of music.
I know what all the controls on my stereo system are for and can hear the
difference when I adjust them.
I enjoy silence.
I am attuned to subtle changes in a speaker's voice tone, volume, and inflection.
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Self-Assessment: Smell
I have a favorite scent (What is it? Why do I like it? What does it remind me of?)
Smells affect my emotions strongly, for better or worse.
I can recognize friends by their scent.
I know how to use aromas to influence my mood.
I can reliably judge the quality of food or wine by its aroma.
When I see fresh flowers, I usually take a few moments to breathe in their aroma.

Self-Assessment: Touch
I am aware of the "feel" of the surfaces that surround me daily, i.e., the chairs,
sofas, and car seats I sit on.
I am sensitive to the quality of fabric that I wear.
I like to touch and be touched.
Friends say I give great hugs.
I know how to listen with my hands.
When I touch someone, I can tell if they are tense or relaxed.

Self-Assessment: Taste
I can taste the "freshness" of fresh foods.
I enjoy many different types of cuisine.
I seek out unusual taste experiences.
I can discern the flavor contributions of different herbs and spices in a complex
dish.
I am a good cook.
I eat consciously, aware of the taste of my food.
I avoid junk food.
I avoid eating on the run.
I enjoy participating in taste tests and wine tastings.

Self-Assessment: Synesthesia

I enjoy describing one sense in terms of another.

My experience of one sense affects all my other senses.
I intuitively understand which colors are "cold" and which are "hot."
My response to art is visceral.
I am aware of the role of synesthesia in the thinking of great artists and scientists.
I can sense which of these sounds, ooooohhlaaaa, zip-zip-zip, ni-ni-ni-ni-ni, are
reflected in the following shapes: ~', ^ ^ ^, vvvvv.
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POST-PRESENTATION ACTIVITY:

Sensazione: Skill Building

VISION: LOOKING AND SEEING:

The Eye-Palming Exercise. Sit at a desk in a quiet, private place. Keep your feet squarely on
the floor and sit so that you are supported by the bones at the bottom of your pelvis. If you
wear glasses, take them off; contact lenses are okay. Now rub your palms together
vigorously for about twenty seconds. Resting your elbows lightly on the desk, cup your palms
and place them gently over your closed eyes. (Do not touch the eyeball or put pressure on
the sides of your nose.) Breathe deeply, in an easy, relaxed fashion, and rest with your eyes
closed for about three minutes. When you are ready to finish, take your palms away from
your eyes, but leave your eyes closed for another twenty seconds or so. (Do not rub your
eyes!) Then gently open your eyes and look around. Write down your impressions.

Focus Near and Far. This is a very simple and valuable exercise that you can practice many
times each day. Look at something close to you, such as this page or your hand; now
change your focus to the farthest horizon. Pick out a specific element of the far horizon and
focus on it for a few seconds; then come back to your hand, and again out to the farthest
horizon, focusing on a different element this time. In addition to enlivening your eyes and
expanding your perception, this exercise can improve your driving and specifically prevent
you from speeding, unknowingly, past state troopers on the freeway.

"Soft Eyes." Sitting in front of a computer screen and reading reports drives many people
toward a habitually hard, narrow focus. Instead, allow a few deep exhalations and try the
following exercise:

Place your index fingers together at eye level about twelve inches from your face. Looking
straight ahead, move your fingers slowly away from each other on the horizontal plane. Stop
moving your fingers when you can no longer see them with your peripheral vision. Bring your
fingers back to center and do the same exercise with the vertical plane. Exhale.

Now "soften" your eyes by relaxing the muscles of your forehead, face, and jaw and allow a
receptivity to the broadest possible expanse of vision. Note the way this exercise affects your
mind and body (XO percent of your eyes' light receptors are designed for peripheral vision).
How do you feel when you soften your eyes? Write down your impressions .
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LISTENING AND HEARING:

Every sound and every silence provides an opportunity to deepen auditory attunement; but
city sounds can be overwhelming and cause us to dull our sensitivity. Surrounded by noises
from televisions, airplanes, subways and automobiles, most of us "tune out" for
self-protection. Try the following exercises to "tune up" your auditory sense.

Layered Listening. Enjoy a few full deep exhalations, and listen to the sounds around you
now. First you'll hear the loudest, most obvious sounds: the air conditioning, the clock ticking,
the traffic outside, the background noises of people and machinery. Then, as that "layer"
becomes clarified, begin to notice the next layer down. Sounds of your breathing, a gentle
breeze, footsteps in the hall, the shifting of your sleeve when you move your hand. Keep
moving your awareness deeper into the next layer and then the next . . . do this for the next
few minutes and then record your observations:

Listen for Silence. Practice listening for the spaces between sounds— in music,
conversation, wherever you hear it. Find a place of complete silence. On a blank page,
describe how silence sounds, and how it feels to be in a place of complete quiet:

AROMATIC AWARENESS

Every day, all day, we are confronted with a smorgasbord of smells. Our five million olfactory
cells can sniff out one molecule of an odor-causing substance in one part per trillion of air.
And we take about 23,000 breaths per day, processing about 440 cubic feet of scent-laden
air. But most people have a very limited vocabulary for describing aromatic experience: "It
stinks" or "That smells good" are the most common references. Aim to increase your
discrimination and appreciation for smell by expanding your olfactory vocabulary. Perfumers
categorize smells as floral (roses), minty (peppermint), musky (musk), ethereal (pears),
resinous (camphor), foul (rotten eggs), and acrid (vinegar). Use these terms and make up
your own descriptors as you explore the following exercises.

What Do You Smell Right Now? In the manner of your most beloved canine acquaintance,
explore your immediate environment with your nose. Breathe in the smell of the surrounding
air, your shirt, a pencil or pen, or the paper these words are printed on. Describe what you
smell, right now, as vividly as you can.

Make "Smells" a Theme for a Day. Record what you smell and how it affects you through the
course of a day. Most people find that smell has a powerful effect on their emotions and
memory. Seek out unusual or intense aromas. Spend half an hour at your favorite florists.
Make a scent-centered visit to your nearest zoo. Inhale the aroma of ten different perfumes
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and describe your reactions. How does smell affect your moods? Your memory? List three
specific examples of aromas affecting your emotion or recall:

Olfactory Cornucopia. This exercise is easier and more fun to do with friends. Assemble a
range of items with distinctive aromas; for example,: a slice of lemon, a piece of sod, a few
leaves of basil, your pillowcase, some Tiger Balm or Vicks VapoRub, freshly ground coffee, a
jar of capers, a piece of charcoal. Put on a blindfold and ask a friend to hold each item, in
turn, close to your nose for thirty seconds. Describe each smell and your reaction to it:

GOOD TASTE

For most of us, the opportunity to taste presents itself at least three times a day. But in the
rush of our lives, it is often difficult to pay attention. It is all too easy to "grab a bite on the
run," and to consume an entire meal without really tasting anything. Instead, pause for a few
moments before every meal. Reflect on the origins of the meal you are about to enjoy. Aim to
be 100 percent present as you taste the first bite of your food.

Comparative Tasting: Just as comparing one great performance to another is a marvelous

way to develop your hearing, the same holds true for taste and smell. Buy three different
kinds of chocolate (i.e., dark, milk, semisweet). Begin by looking carefully at each one and
describing any differences you observe in color or clarity. Then smell each one for thirty
seconds. Describe the aromas. Next taste each one in turn; hold a piece in your mouth and
let it melt on your tongue. Take a sip of spring water between tastes to clear your palate.
Describe the differences in aroma and taste:

TOUCHING AND FEELING

Your brain receives information from more than 500,000 touch detectors and 200,000
temperature sensors. Yet Leonardo lamented that most people "touch without feeling." The
secret of sensitive "feeling" touch is an attitude of receptivity, learning to "listen" deeply with
your hands and whole body.

Touch Like an Angel. Imagine the quality of touch that Leonardo used in applying the
gossamer layers of paint in creating his angels and virgins. Now, with the exquisite delicacy
of the maestro as your inspiration, touch the objects around you. Touch the world around you
as though you were experiencing each sensation for the first time. Record your observations.
Begin by describing the feeling of your pen in your hand as you write.

Blindfold Touch. Invite a friend to share this exercise. Assemble as many of the following
objects as you can find: a leather jacket, a cashmere scarf, a glass, a potato, a rose, a
handful of coins, a scouring pad, a sponge, a dab of moisturizing cream, your friend's hand,
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and anything else you would like to explore. Put on a blindfold and explore them all with
receptive, listening hands. Describe the textures, weight, temperature, and other sensations.

Touch Nature. Go outside and explore the textures of nature: the needles of a pine tree,
rocks and stones, flowing water, the wind, the earth at your feet. Write your observations
down.
SYNESTHESIA

Synesthesia, the merging of the senses, is a characteristic of great artistic and scientific
geniuses. You can heighten all your powers of Sensazione by cultivating synesthetic
awareness. A simple way to begin is to practice describing one sense in terms of the others.
Try the following exercises for developing synesthesia.

Drawing Music. Listen to your favorite piece of music. As you listen, experiment with
expressing your impressions by drawing shapes and colors.

Shaping the Invisible. If you were to sculpt a particular piece of music, what materials would
you use? What shapes would you make? Which colors? How would the music smell? If you
could bite into the music, what would it taste like? Try this imaginary multisensorial sculpting
exercise with at least two of your favorite pieces of music.

Sounds of Color. Look at a reproduction of your favorite painting. Vocalize the sounds
inspired by the colors, shapes, and textures on the canvas.

Transpositions. Make a list of great artists and composers. Imagine transposing them based
on their work, not their personalities. In other words, if Picasso were a composer who would
he be? If Aaron Copland were a painter, who would he be? For example, perhaps, if Picasso
were a musician he could be Stravinsky; and if Copland were a painter he might be Andrew
Wyeth. This is a delightful exercise to do with friends. After everyone has offered a few
transpositions, ask each person to explain their choices.

Synesthetic Problem-Solving. Think back to one of the questions you worked with in
Curiosita. Give it a color, shape, and texture. Imagine what it smells and tastes like. How
does it feel? What are the textures, tastes, shapes, colors, and sounds of some possible
solutions?
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POST-PRESENTATION ACTIVITY:

Practice Your Mind-Mapping Skills

Mind mapping is an invaluable tool for simplifying complex tasks such as strategic planning,
presentation preparation, meeting management, test preparation, and systems analysis.
Probably it is best to make your first few mind maps on relatively simple, lighthearted
subjects. Choose one of the following topics to practice your mind-mapping skill. Take about
twenty minutes for this first practice map.

Mind Map Your Favorite Movie. Begin with a simple drawing that represents your favorite
movie's title. Print key words and draw images that express the characters, plot, and themes.
Remember to put key words and images on lines radiating out from your central symbol.

Mind Map Your Dream House. Explore the delightful fantasy of a dream house using a mind
map. Start with a symbol of your paradise in the center and then branch out with key words
and images that represent the elements of your ideal living environment. Remember, let your
mind work by association instead of trying to put things down in order. Just generate ideas
for your ideal environment. Then after you have come up with a multitude of possibilities, you
can go back and put them in order.

After you've made one or two practice mind maps, tackle the problem you wrote down at the
seminar.

Instructions:
Think of an idea at work that you have been exploring.
1. Use a large piece of paper
2. Think of THE idea you would like to explore or the problem you would like to solve
3. In the center draw an abstract image of your topic
4. Free associate branches of the map – use keywords, color, pictures - "Off the wall" is OK
5. Take a break and then generate another wave of branches
6. Take another break – review – look for connections and emerging themes – connect
related parts of your mind map with arrows, codes, colors, etc.

Now, find relationships that can help you integrate and organize the most cogent ideas and
then reorder them to reflect new possibilities or solutions.
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POST-PRESENTATION ACTIVITY:
Assessing Corporalita
The idea that a robust mind and a healthy body are linked was not original with Leonardo Da
Vinci. It is one of the concepts from ancient Greece that was revived during the
Renaissance, and it is a concept that is given lip service in our present-day civilization. But
the reality is that as we move forward into the "information age", more and more work is
done sedentary, and less and less time is devoted to maintaining physical health, let alone
physical development. Many organizations want your "analytical and creative skills" without
understanding that these depend as much on a well-developed physical being as on "brain
power". Leonardo Da Vinci understood this fully more than 5 centuries ago, and he had a
prescription for minimal physical and mental health. He wrote:
"To keep in health these rules are wise:
• Beware of anger and avoid grievous moods.
• Rest your head and keep your mind cheerful.
• Be covered well at night.
• Exercise moderately.
• Shun wantonness, and pay attention to diet.
• Eat only when you want and sup light.
• Keep upright when you rise from the dining table.
• Do not be with the belly upwards or the head lowered.
• Let your wine be mixed with water, take a little at a time, not between meals
and not on an empty stomach.
• Eat simple (i.e., vegetarian) food.
• Chew well.
• Go to the toilet regularly!"

Assess your own corporalita by putting a check mark next to each statement that describes you.
I am aerobically fit.
I am getting stronger.
My flexibility is improving.
I know when my body is tense or relaxed.
I am knowledgeable about diet and nutrition.
Friends would describe me as graceful.
I am becoming more ambidextrous.
I am aware of the ways in which my physical state affects my attitudes.
I am aware of the ways in which my attitudes affect my physical state.
I have a good understanding of practical anatomy.
I am well coordinated.
I love to move.
To make headway in developing your mental skills, it will be necessary to undertake
improvements in your physical being. On the next page you will find some exercises to get
you started on improving body awareness and condition.
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POST-PRESENTATION ACTIVITY:

Corporalita Exercises

Make a sketch of your own body: On the path of self-development, people often contemplate
the classic question "Who am I?" You can make significant progress by asking another basic
question: "Where am I?" Body image and body awareness play a tremendous role in our
sense of who we are.

Make a sketch of your whole body on a sheet of paper or in the space below. Don't worry
about creating an artistic drawing – just do a simple five-minute sketch; even a modified stick
figure would be OK.

After you've sketched your whole body, color in red the places where you feel the most
tension and stress. Then with a black marker, delineate the points in your body where your
energy seems blocked, the parts where you feel the least. Next use a green color to indicate
the areas of your body that feel most alive, where the energy flows most freely.

Most people have significant areas of red and black. Much of our unnecessary tension and
stress is a result of ignorance and misinformation regarding our own natural structure and
function. Inaccurate "body maps" result in misuse, exacerbating stress, and dulling
awareness. If your self-portrait shows areas of tension and stress, find and begin a program
of physical exercise aimed at relaxing and freeing up your body.

Here's another simple exercise:

Mirror Observation. Stand in front of a full-length mirror. Avoid judging or evaluating your
appearance, just observe your reflection objectively, and record your answers below:

Does your head tend to tilt to one side or the other?

Is one shoulder higher than the other?

Does your pelvis rock forward or is it held back?

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Is your weight distributed evenly on your feet or do you depend on one leg more than the
other for support?

What parts of your body appear to be overly tense?

Are your pelvis, torso, and head in a balanced alignment?

Review your responses. How does your actual appearance relate to the drawing you made
of your body? Are you surprised by these results?

Cultivate Ambidexterity. Leonardo, a natural left-hander, regularly switched hands when

working on the Last Supper and other masterpieces.

Begin your investigation of ambidexterity by exploring the power of your nondominant hand.
Try the following exercises.

Reverse Crossing. Practice interlocking your fingers and crossing your arms and legs in
reverse of your normal pattern. See if you can wink your nondominant eye and roll your
tongue over to both sides.

Use Your Nondominant Hand. Try using your nondominant hand for a day, or part of a day to
start. Turn on the lights, brush your teeth, eat your breakfast, unlock your front door with your
other hand. Record your feelings and observations.

Experiment with Writing. Try signing your name with the other hand here:

First attempt:
Second attempt:
Third attempt:
Fourth attempt
Fifth attempt:
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About Michael Gelb

MICHAEL J. GELB is a modern Renaissance man with a lifelong fascination for the
essence of creativity, the balance of mind and body, and a passion for awakening the
fullness of human potential. After graduating with honors from Clark University with degrees
in psychology and philosophy he spent a year in England at The International Academy for
Continuous Education studying the esoteric traditions of the world with J.G. Bennett.

While completing a three-year training as a teacher of the Alexander technique—a method

of developing mind-body coordination—Gelb earned a master's degree from Goddard
College in psycho-physical re-education. His first book, Body Learning: An Introduction to
the Alexander Technique, evolved from his master's thesis and was published in 1981. This
was followed by Present Yourself: Captivate Your Audience with Great Presentation Skills.

Gelb's practical exploration of balancing mind and body led to a fascination with the art of
juggling. Supporting himself through graduate school by working as a professional juggler,
Gelb appeared live on stage with both The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. In 1994 he, and
co-author Tony Buzan, released Lessons from the Art of Juggling: How to Achieve Your
Full Potential in Business, Learning and Life. In 1996, Gelb introduced the concept of
Synvergent thinking in Thinking for a Change: Discovering Your Power to Create,
Communicate and Lead. His audio programs, "Mind Mapping" and "Putting Your Creative
Genius to Work" distributed by Nightingale-Conant, are also international bestsellers. Since
1978, Michael has been working with organizations around the world to optimize their
human potential. His many clients include Amoco, AT&T, DuPont, IBM, Lucent
Technologies, Merck, NPR, and Xerox.

A passionate student and teacher of the martial art of Aikido, in which he holds a third-
degree black belt, and a lover of the game of chess, Gelb is co-author with Grand Master
Raymond Keene of the recent Walker Kooks release Samurai Chess: Mastering Strategy
Through the Martial Art of the Mind.

Gelb's other passions include Italian language and culture, collecting art and wine, cooking,
and the Japanese game of Go.
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RECOMMENDED READING
CURIOSITA
Adams, Kathleen. Journal to the Self New York: Warner Books, 1990. Filled with marvelous
exercises for increasing self-knowledge.

Fuller, Buckminster. Critical Path. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1981. Insights from a
modern Renaissance man.

Goldberg, Merrilee. The Art of the Question: A Guide to Short-Term Question Centered
Therapy. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1998. A therapist's masterful application of
Curiosita.

Gross, Ron. Peak Learning. Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher, l 991. A handbook for lifelong
learners.

Progoff, Ira. At a Journal Workshop. New York: Dialogue House, 1975. Progoff is the
modern pioneer in the use of journaling as a tool for personal growth.

DIMOSTRAZIONE
Alexander, F. M. The Use of the Self. New York: Dutton, 1932. An inspiring story of
learning from experience.

McCormack, Mark. What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School. New York:
Bantam, 1984. Dimostrazione in the business world.

Seligman, Martin. Learned Optimism. New York: Knopf, 1991. How to learn resilience in the
face of adversity.

Shah, Idries. The Wisdom of the Idiots. New York: Dutton,1971. A book about the Sufis,
"disciples of experience."

SENSAZIONE
Ackerman, Diane. A Natural History of the Senses. New York: Vintage Books, 1991. The
Chicago Tribune called it "an aphrodisiac for the sense receptors.

Campbell, Don. The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body,
Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit. New York: Avon Books' 1997.

Collins, Terah Kathryn. The Western Guide to Feng Shui. Carlsbad, Calif.: Hay House, Inc.,
1996.
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How to Think Like Leonardo Da

Cytowic, Richard. The Man Who Tasted Shapes. New York: Putnam,1993. A neurologist's
creative investigation of synesthesia.

Gregory, R. L. Eye and Brain: The Psychology of Seeing (fourth edition). New York: Oxford
University Press, 1990.

Rossbach, Sarah. Interior Design with Feng Shui. New York: Dutton,1987. A manual for
creating "brain-nourishing environments."

SFUMATO
Agor, Weston. The Logic of Intuitive Decision Making. Westport, Conm: Greenwood Press,
1986. Agor makes a strong case for the use of intuition in managing complexity.

Gelb, Michael J. Thinking for a Change: Discovering the Power to Create, Communicate,
and Lead. New York: Harmony Books, 1996. Introduces the concept of "Synvergent
Thinking," an approach to thriving with Sfumato.

Johnson, Barry. Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems.

Amherst, Mass.: Human Resource Development Press, 1992. Johnson's concept of
Polarity Management is a brilliant example of applied Sfumato.

May, Rollo. The Courage to Create. New York: Bantam, 1976. A seminal exposition of the
central role of creative tension in a creative life.

ARTE/SCIENZA
Buzan, Tony. Use Both Sides of Your Brain (third edition). New York: Penguin, 1989.
Buzan's classic work, originally published in 1971, established him as the father of "whole-
brain" education. An invaluable guide for anyone interested in balancing Arte and Scienza.

Buzan, Tony, and Barry Buzan. The Mind Map Book: Radiant Thinking. London: BBC
Books, 1993. The bible of mind mapping.

Wonder, Jacqueline. Whole Brain Thinking. New York: Ballantine, 1985. Are you more Arte
or Scienza? Wonder offers the opportunity to test your brain dominance.

CORPORALITA
Anderson, Bob. Stretching. Bolinas, Calif.: Shelter Publications, 1980.

Conable, Barbara and William. How to Learn the Alexander Technique. Columbus, Ohio:
Andover Road Press, l991. The Conables introduced the concept of "body mapping."
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Cooper, Kenneth. New Aerobics. New York: Bantam, 1970.

Fincher, Jack. Lefties: The Origin and Consequences of Being Left-Handed. New York:
Putnam, 1977. An amusing and well-researched overview of the relationship between hand
and brain.

Gelb, Michael. Body Learning: An Introduction to the Alexander Technique. New York:
Henry Holt & Company, 1987 (new edition, 1995). A guide to developing the Da Vincian
qualities of poise, presence, and grace.

Gelb, Michael, and Tony Buzan. Lessons from the Art of Juggling: How to Achieve Your
Full Potential in Business, Learning, and Life. New York: Harmony Books, 1994. A unique
approach to applied ambidexterity.

CONNESSIONE
Kodish, Susan and Bruce. Drive Yourself Sane: Using the Uncommon Sense of General
Semantics. Englewood, N.J.: Institute of General Semantics, 1993. An approachable work
on systems thinking and general semantics.

Lao-Tzu. Tao Te Ching: A New English Version, with forward and notes by Stephen
Mitchell. New York: Harper & Row, 1988. Taoism mirrors many of the maestro's insights.

Russell, Peter. The Awakening Earth: Our Next Evolutionary Leap. A Connessione view of
earth and human evolution. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1982.

Senge, Peter M. The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization. New
York: Doubleday, 1990. Guides the reader to see and understand patterns, relationships,
and systems in business and everyday life.

Wheatley, Margaret. Leadership and the New Science. San Francisco: Berret-Koehler
Publishers,1992. Applications of the new physics to understanding organizations.