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Use Your Sense!

This is the third in our series of articles looking at the seven important principles for success outlined in Michael J Gelb’s study of an artistic and scientific genius: “How to think like Leonardo Da Vinci.” The first two looked at curiosity and challenge. This month, we explore the importance of using all of your senses. This involves the continual refinement of the senses.

Leonardo reflected that the average human: “looks without seeing, listens without hearing, eats without tasting, moves without physical awareness, inhales without awareness of odour or fragrance, and talks without thinking”. Centuries later, his assessment still provides a compelling invitation to improve our senses – along with our minds and experiences.
 
Gelb focuses mainly on the importance of sight and hearing. Similarly, specific applications for insight should focus mainly on active listening and active looking.
 
Listen up!
We need to listen well so that we can identify the true meanings and issues behind what people say:
  • With consumers, we need to understand and identify needs and opportunities that haven’t yet been met.
  • With colleagues, sometimes we need to listen and probe to get to the heart of the real question when they have a request for information.
Look here!
In terms of active looking, at the consumer level, we need to sharpen our observation skills so that we don’t miss opportunities as we observe customers and their lifestyles:
  • When looking for insights, we need good vision at a granular level so that we can perceive the detail, the links and the potential errors or ambiguities. We also need to develop skills around our holistic vision, so that we see the bigger picture.
  • Leonardo also recommended visualisation, which can help with communications. If you can visualise your outputs in terms of images, diagrams and colours (as in mind maps), this will help you to get your messages across powerfully and clearly. 
Common sense(s)
However, let’s not forget the other senses. Our fast pace of life, multiple demands and multi-tasking can all dull our sensitivity. In addition, our creativity and innovation can be helped or hindered by our environment. As a quick reminder, take another look at our ‘Tip of the Month’ from our January issue, which explained how changing your environment can help you to see things differently.
 
And don’t forget that sensory impressions can provide ‘food’ for our brains. You can stimulate them with pictures, plants and flowers around your workspace. Try listening to music and/or getting some fresh air when you take a break. And slow down and make sure that you taste what you eat and drink. As the old proverb says: “Take time to smell the roses”.
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