Daniel Pink (2005) defined the aptitude "Symphony" as "the ability to put together the pieces. [Symphony] is the capacity to synthesize rather than to analyze; to see relationships between seemingly unrelated fields; to detect broad patterns rather than to deliver specific answers; and to invent something new by combining elements nobody else thought to pair" (p. 130). Pink went on to say that those with a high aptitude of symphony are "boundary crossers" because they are able to develop expertise in a number of different spheres and disciplines and "find joy in the rich variety of human experience" (p.134). As leaders for the 21st century and beyond, it is imperative that we develop within ourselves and those we lead the freedom and confidence to attempt to make connections between ideas and fields that do not seem connectable (I'm not sure if this is a word, but it works here!). Furthermore, to work effectively with people of different cultures, beliefs, and value systems, we must be willing and able find how we connect with them. We must be able to find answers to questions like "How can a white male American Christian connect with a Chinese female Confucian?"
Pink refered to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's comment that great minds are "androgynous," which means to contain both male and female characteristics. Pink said those with androgynous minds are "boundary crossers." To me, this does not mean that I must act like a female or that a female must act like a male. Instead, in a larger sense, I believe Pink and Coleridge are stating that boundary crossers are those whose minds are not rigid and closed off to people and ideas that seem disconnected from their own. An androgynous mind is an open one, always searching for new relationships and progressive connections between seemingly different ideas and concepts.
6 comments:
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Ben, Hey I can comment on your blog now!
I enjoyed reading your relationship between leading and a symphony. Seeing the "forest for the trees" is not an aptitude that that comes easily for me...in any disciplin.
Being a musician I have always struggled at "seeing" the music as a composition. I stead I see it as individual notes that need playing. I can tell you that when you play a piece of music in a way in which you take in the whole composition it not only sounds better, but you convey feelings and mood to the audience much more effectively.
I believe that the same conclusions are drawn from your conclusions on leadership and a symphony. Thanks!
Hey Ben!!
I enjoyed reading your very insightful post about the androgynous mind and how Pink feels about what is needed for the new Conceptual Age.
Your comment leads me to reflect on a question Andrea posed during class this weekend. Her comment was about how the business world is always so much more advanced in thier decision-making skills and the things they do to prepare for teh world. Wouldn't it be great if more educational institutions learned to model the business world or began to partner with the business world in hopes to better prepare our kids for the future. I think the world would be a much better lace if we learned to be "symphonic" with the business world. If the P-12 became more like teh TSTCs of the world.
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