Learning from Leonardo Da Vinci
Advance Supervisory Management
Curiosita : The Quest for Continuous Learning
© 2015
The material within this document is the intellectual property of DMC Process Design, a Research associate of The Da Vinci
Institute for Technology Management. This Module was exclusively developed and forms part of a National Certificate
Qualification in Business Management. Dissemination of this material to a third party or use of this material outside of the scope
of the qualification, will constitute a violation of the intellectual property rights of The Da Vinci Institute for Technology
Management (Pty) Ltd and DMC Process Design (Pty).
Learning from Leonardo Da Vinci
Curiosita : The Quest for Continuous Learning
Curiosita - The Quest for Continuous Learning
Curiosità is an "insatiably curious approach to life and unrelenting quest for "continuous learning". Great minds
have one characteristic in common: they continuously ask questions throughout their lives. It is however the
quality of questions asked, still keeping an open mind which broadens our universe. The latter further stretches
creative thinking and increase our ability to explore different and seemingly non-related possibilities and options.
Crucial capabilities to solve complex problems.
Gelb (2004) continues to say that everyone actually has quite a keen sense of curiosity (remember how it felt
when your young child starting to explore his world often drove you nearly around the bend as he continuously
asked "but why ...but why ...but why!). The challenge, however, lies in refining and developing this trait over the
course of an entire career. That requires that you continue to ask ‘‘great questions’’ on a regular basis -- and
then search intensely to find the answers to those great questions. Curiosity is an intense desire to learn more -- an unquenchable thirst for more and more knowledge. The
mechanism by which curiosity functions is through seeking answers to questions. Therefore, it is quite logical that
the key to expanding a sense of curiosity is to ask good questions. In fact, the greatest minds in business and history have always focused on ‘‘great questions’’. What is a great
question? It’s a question that strikes precisely to the heart of an important quality of life issue.
The question is now obviously whether one sense of curiosity be refined and enhanced, and can one learn to
formulate quality questions...
Does Da Vinci’s work suggest answers to these questions?
But before we do look at suggestions that might help improve our curiosity and need to want to know it all, it
might be a good idea to first do a self-assessment to help to understand where you do find yourself regarding
your own curiosity. When you have this information, you will know where to focus on developing these skills.
Assessing Your Curiosita
This is you desire to learn and develop your natural abilities. This is the fountain from which all Da Vincian
practices flows. 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
Statements
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.
How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci
Your understanding looking at how you have assessed yourself on the above assessment :
Need to up your Curiosita Skill?
Keep a journal or notebook
Leonardo da Vinci kept about 7,000 pages of notes recording his thoughts during his lifetime, and most scholars
believe that was only one-half of what he actually wrote. He jotted down ideas, thoughts, sketches and
impressions whenever they came to him.
In November 1994, Bill Gates purchased 18 sheets of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks for $30.8 million. da Vinci’s
notebooks included original plans and ideas for a flying machine, a helicopter, a parachute, the extendible
ladder, three-speed gear shift, the bicycle, adjustable spanners, the snorkel, hydraulic jacks, locks for canal
systems, folding furniture, a water-powered alarm clock and the world’s first revolving stage.
Page "4 of "11
Use questions to guide and structure thinking
Try and make a list of the 100 questions that are most important to you in one sitting. Then, go back through that
list and look for themes. What are most of your questions actually about?
Now, choose 10 questions that are most important to you, and rank them in importance. These questions should
relate to your broad quality of life. Some sample questions:
1.
Which activities allow me to best feel like I am expressing my natural character traits?
2.
What is the one thing I could start -- or stop -- doing today that would most improve my quality of life?
3.
What is my greatest personal talent?
4.
How can I get paid for doing what I love to do?
5.
Who are my most inspiring role models?
6.
How can I best be of service to others?
7.
What is my heart’s deepest desire?
8.
How am I perceived by: my best friend; my worst enemy; my boss; my children; my spouse?
9.
What are my blessings in life?
10. What legacy would I most like to leave?
Next, develop 10 questions from your professional field, about your career or some other aspect of your
professional life. Don’t be afraid to ask the simple questions -- they’re often the most profound:
1.
When did this start?
2.
Who is affected by this issue?
3.
How does this occur -- from different perspectives?
4.
Where else does this occur?
5.
Why is this issue important -- and to whom?
Work on a theme
Choose a theme for the day, and write down in your notebook everything you observe that day -- including your
thoughts -that ties in with that theme. Reward yourself appropriately for what you come up with.
Set aside uninterrupted time to contemplate
Page "5 of "11
Many people are so busy doing they fail to stop and think about what it is they should be doing. Offset that
tendency by setting aside quality contemplation time -- just you and your notebook. Set a goal for how much
time you allocate to this activity each day.
Stream of consciousness writing
For a 10-minute period, write down every thought that comes to you on a subject. Don’t stop to censor -- just
keep writing whatever comes to mind. You might come up with some gibberish, but there may also be some
rather profound insights in what you come up with as well.
Leonardo da Vinci’s life was actually one long exercise in creative problem solving with a high degree of
originality. It was based on his intense curiosity and an open mind posing questions from different perspectives.
He always focused on asking the right question instead of seeking the right answer to the wrong question.
Reflection
Are you curios enough? Or like Leonardo have the insatiable need to know it all…?
(Refer back to the viseo link of earlier)
Page "6 of "11
"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?
Page "7 of "11
When …?
did it start?
does 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?
Page "8 of "11
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?
Page "9 of "11
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?
Reflection
Summarise your understanding
(Try this exercise with others in a group problem-solving session.)
Curiosità is an "insatiably curious approach to life and unrelenting quest for continuous learning". Great minds
have one characteristic in common: they continuously ask questions throughout their lives. Leonardo's endless
quest for truth and beauty clearly demonstrates this. What makes great minds different is the quality of their
questions. You can increase your ability to solve problems by increasing your ability to ask good questions. Like
da Vinci, you should cultivate an open mind that allows you to broaden your universe and increase your ability
to explore it.
Key Thoughts
‘‘Most business inventions are inspired by the question, "What if...?" The multi-billion dollar economy of Silicon
Valley was largely inspired by the question, "What if we shrunk the size of computer chips?" The craze for offering
rebates as a sales incentive was born from the question, "What if we paid our consumers to buy it?" What if...
questions stimulate your imagination and shake up your perspective. Consider any product or service you might
offer, and ask, what if I: shrunk it; enlarged it; made it lighter; made it heavier; changed its shape; reversed it;
tightened it; loosened it; added something; subtracted something; interchanged parts; stayed open for 24-hours;
guaranteed it; changed its name; made it recyclable, stronger, weaker, softer, harder, portable, immovable,
doubled the price or paid customers to take it. The happiest people in the world ask, "What if I could find some
way to get paid for doing what I love?"’’
--Michael Gelb
‘‘I roamed the countryside searching for answers to things I did not understand. These questions and other
strange phenomena engage my thought throughout my life.’’
--Leonardo da Vinci
Page "10 of 11
"
‘
‘Undoubtedly the most curios man who ever lived. He wouldn’t take Yes for an answer.
--Kenneth Clark on Leonardo da Vinci
Page "11 of 11
"