Like with all other chapters I am very much inspired by Benni’s chapter 4 called “Knowing the world”. In this blog I will summarize and quote knowledge, lessons and valuable information I received.
Bennis starts out by mentioning Maintenance and Shock learning both of which I am familiar and had the “pleasure” of experiencing. Following these examples he moves into the values of Innovative learning that are Anticipation and being active, Learning by listening to others and Participation and shaping the events, rather than being shaped by them. “Innovative learning is a way of realizing a vision”, Bennis states. Further the author moves into describing the importance of liberal arts, social sciences and humanities and the ability of its graduates to be more successful in becoming effective leaders. Roger Smith’s paragraph from his book “Educating Managers” should be noted for future reference and personal growth. Another great quote from this chapter is about ambition and it states, “Ambition is the death of thought,” where the author warns about it being in the way of intellectual thought. “The only way to prevent ambition from killing your intellectual life is not to be afraid of loosing, or to say something people might think is wrong.”
Bennis also talks about the importance of travel and the value it brings in broadening one’s experience. A great quote I find useful states, “The stranger in the strange land sees more and sees fresh.” In the chapter’s Friends and Mentors section an important aspect of life that “everything is interrelated” is brought up, which I find very interesting. The following are a few valuable quotes that I’d like to note for my future reference:
“Study, travel, people, work, play, reflection, all are sources of knowledge and understanding”
“You have to get 80 or 85 percent of information and then then take your best shot, and go on to something else”
“Mistakes are not failures, and I don’t take them seriously. Its okay to make mistakes, as long as you make them in good conscience and you’re doing the best you can at the moment”
“If you haven’t failed, you haven’t tried very hard”
“Experiences aren’t truly yours until you think about them, analyze them, examine them, question them, reflect on them, and finally understand them.”
“Compelling vision combined with a unique ability to manage risk is magic behind successful entrepreneurs.”
Learning from experience means:
1. Looking back at your childhood
2. Consciously seeking the kind of experiences in the present that improve and enlarge you
3. Taking risks as a matter of course
