A Whole New Mind

What was the catalyst in American history that caused this nation to move from the Agriculture Age to the Industrial Age?  Perhaps it was the use of machinery and electricity.  What then caused the move to the Information Age?  Most likely it was the computer.  Author Dan Pink hypothesizes that we are on the verge of another leap in ages.  The Conceptual Age.  What is the cause and what is the Conceptual Age?

Pink cites three factors as the cause.  Asia, Abundance and Automation.  Work can be done cheaper in Asia.  From call centers to programmers to financial services, Asian workers are less expensive.  More people are enjoying greater economic freedom and an increased standard of living.  This has created an abundance and glut of stuff, from an abundance and glut of stores.  Automation has shrunk the knowledge worker's world.  One can get medical and law questions answered online where they used to have to pay a doctor or lawyer.  This trend is crossing most industries.

The Conceptual Age is an age based upon right brain thinking.  People will have to create and have the ability to emphasize in order to keep pace.  As Asia, Abundance and Automation bear down upon us like electricity did on the 19Th century, we'll need to maintain our left brain thinking and expand our right brain abilities - creating a whole new mind.

Pink provides readers with six right brain senses that will help to develop the whole new mind:  Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play and Meaning.  He devotes a chapter to each aptitude and includes exercises and ideas for further development.

Can one man alone name the next age of commerce?  I don't think so.  But Dan Pink is definitely pulling back the curtains, revealing a glimpse at a Wizard that has not been so prevalent in our assumptions.  I see two sets of people who can truly benefit from the perspective of this future Wizard:  Baby Boomers between the ages of 42 and 55.  ( I will include those BB's who are over 55 and have jettisoned the 1960 and 70's business mindset and who possess an open mind).  The second set is those who are in and graduating college,  right up to the age of 42, maybe with a greater emphasis on the younger folks though.

The Boomers look into the Conceptual Age

The most important point for the Boomers to remember is that they are not going to change or make those younger reform to an outdated business mindset.  It will be almost as important for them to help the younger workforce implement Pink's right brain senses of Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play and Meaning.  Next in importance is for this generation to provide air cover for their younger colleagues.  Agents of close-mindedness must be held at bay and parted off to the side.

The Generations to Follow

To those of you who are entering the workforce, do so with patience.  Yours is the way of the future.  Clicking your glass slippers however, will not land you in the home that you want to be in.  You must work closely with those who are open-minded and appreciate your views, ideas and opinions.  There are those who will guide you around the land mines of the obsolescent business mindset.  They want you to succeed.  Utilize their wisdom and inject your heart's desire.

As for those of you who are in the older portion of these generations, your role is the second and third runners of the relay.  As leaders in the making, you perhaps enjoy the best of both worlds.  You've absorbed the wisdom of your elders and you can feed off the enthusiasm of those entering the workforce.  Yours is to stay the course.

Although I am not sure Dan Pink is the next Eli Whitney, the next Henry Ford or the next Bill Gates, he offers a refreshing look into the future.  I highly recommend reading A Whole New Mind as long as you keep your mind open when doing so!

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Outstanding review Dave. I picked this book up a few weeks ago, and I definitely plan to read it in 2006. Thanks for confirming that.

[Dave]

Thanks Phil! To be aware of the change going on around us is a good thing brother.

[FreeStoring]

hay!!
good project :)
senks :)