Book Report : A Whole New Mind

One of my favorite reads this fall is Daniel Pink’s A Whole New Mind. Besides being an excellent read on design and developing your creative side, it is a quick read well worth your time. I read it through once, then skimmed it again looking for ideas to incorporate into my weekly routine- things like keeping a design notebook, reading my wife’s Real Simple magazine, and checking out various right-brain games on the Internet.

Daniel Pink’s elevator speech…

The future belongs to the person with a very different kind of mind- one that emphasizes creation over repetition, recognizing and drawing meaning from patterns rather than merely following them. While the logical, left-brain abilities will continue to be necessary for success in one’s career, they are no longer sufficient. When choosing a career path, one must consider the following questions:

  1. Can someone overseas do it cheaper?
  2. Can a computer do it faster?
  3. Am I offering something that satisfies thenon material, transcendent desires of an abundant age?

Abundance, Asia and Automation…

These three factors are changing the world in which Americans live. For example, take abundance. Self-storage is a billion dollar business and promises to only grow into the future. Think there were self-storage facilities in the Great Depression?

Asia is changing the face of the workforce because of the inexpensive, well-trained labor waiting to draw repetitive and programmatic jobs in India and China. Routine functions and programming have been turned over to computers and robots. Indeed, much of the work performed by doctors are following decisions trees when diagnosing patients, something slowly be turned over to the likes of the websites Web MD and some 23,000 other med-related sites.

Pink’s Six Senses…
The book does a great job discussing each of Pink’s suggested senses- design, story, symphony, empathy, play, meaning- then listing ideas in his portfolio section where you can develop each of these skills in your own life.

(1) Design. Pink brings up an important point in this section… we all start out in childhood as designers. We are not afraid to make mistakes and follow wherever our imagination takes us. It is through the oftentimes mind-numbing experience that is high school and college that we lose this initial courage to design. Says Pink- “Design is a high-concept aptitude that is difficult to outsource or automate. Some of my favorite suggestions to grow your design aptitude- visit a design museum (Pink lists 10) and checking out open houses for design ideas and elements.

(2) Story. There’s a reason why you can remember the stories your grandpa would tell around the fireplace 20 years prior but have trouble remembering your combo to the lock at the gym. Our minds are wired to make as many connections as possible, and stories fit much better with this model that rote memorization. But while remembering stories may be every person’s forte, telling them is a bit trickier. So how do you develop this skill? Pink suggests writing a mini-saga of your life, whipping out a tape recorder and interviewing a relative or friends, and turning your cellphone into the story teller by snapping a picture story of your day (I plan on developing this one into a post in the near future). Story is important with social networking (have you heard how Facebook got started ?!?!)

(3) Symphony. This could be one of the most underrated skills on this list. Pink calls symphony an “essential aptitude” for a growing population of workers. While entrepreneurs and inventors have traditionally done a good job at incorporating this into new ventures, those who want to stay ahead must see symphony for what it is- developing relationships. Some advice- keep a metaphor log (and read this book) and practice good brainstorming habits. That is:

  • Go for quantity.
  • Encourage wild ideas.
  • Be visual.
  • Defer judgment.
  • Take one conversation at a time.

(4) Empathy. Many of us can boost our powers of empathy. Doctor’s are taking class to help put themselves in the position of the patient, lawyers are trying to warm up to their clients (hard to believe, huh?) and yes, women still take the cake when it comes to empathy. So how can men get a leg up on their competition. Volunteer at a local charity and eavesdrop at the local coffee shop.

(5) Play. Happiness is an excellent stimulus for the brain. Americans have seen a shift in the workplace from a rigid place where business does not get mixed with pleasure, to one where, work and play are intertwined to create a more invigorating environment where workers are happy and yes, more effective in their jobs. Look at Google as a shining example. Employees enjoy mid-afternoon sand volleyball, ping pong, and video games, and still manage to continue to take over the world. Look for a laughter club near you to stimulate your brain with the fun stuff.

(6) Meaning. Aren’t we all looking for meaning? Viktor Frankl went looking for meaning while imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp and developed his theory of logotherapy- an influential movement in psychotherapy. Marshalling the elements of happiness and spirituality may eventually help find that meaning, but these books could help you get there faster: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, What Should I Do with My Life? by Po Bronson, and The Art of Happiness by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, M.D.

Design. Story. Symphony. Empathy. Play. Meaning. Developing a higher facility in all of these will not guarantee success, but they will certainly move you closer to becoming better prepared for the next decade two years. Our world will only continue to change faster. Will you be ready?

Author: Daniel Pink

Published: 2005, updates in 2006

My Rating: 3.5 out of 4