I thought Gardner's commentary about Daniel Pink and his book in the preface of Five Minds for the Future was interesting. Although Gardner offered contructive criticism for Pink's dismissal of the need to learn a clear discipline (I agree because if we don't, we cannot even hope to become interdisciplinary), and Pink's omission of how to treat others, Gardner agreed with Pink's main premise that the creative mind is essential for success.
Gardner even calls one his five minds "the creating mind." Gardner (2008) also stated, "Those corporations that do not embrace innovation will almost inevitably be muscled out by those that do" (p. 78). He then listed famous companies such as Sears Roebuck, American Motors, Pan American Airlines, and Westinghouse as those who were at the corporate top in the past but failed to successfully integrate creativity and innovation. Even those solid long-standing companies could not survive on their names alone as Gardner noted they "have either shrunk in size or gone out of business altogether" (2008, p. 78).
We have read a plethora of information this semester promoting creative, synthesizing, integrative thinking. Success depends upon seeing the entire picture, and we cannot do that with limited either/or thinking.
Gardner does make a good point. Those companies that make the effort to allow innovation will not only stay in step with the times, but they encourage their emplpoyees to be creative and more committed to the company. These long lasting commitments save money for the company and fosters good feelings at the workplace. Michael Fullan, describing the Secret One, also talks about making the workplace likable for the employees. I really liked Fullan's Theory of Y Assumptions that stated,"If a jobe is satisfying, then the result will be commitment to the organization. Fullan sites Xerox as a good example. Its founder did such a good job of "loving" his employees that the company name today is still used to describe the process of making photocopies no matter what he make of the copier might be.
ReplyDeleteThat means we need to be the proverbial "Renaissance Man," multi-talented. I like that!
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