I spent part of this past weekend re-reading part of Michael J. Gelb’s book Discover Your Genius that focuses on Christopher Columbus. Columbus Day (in the U.S.) is today and it prompted me to dig out this great book. Gelb has a great way of looking at Columbus’ characteristics which are inspirational and show that his greatness lies in his ability to go perpendicular from others in thinking (literally from the coastline and figuratively from conventional thinking) and sail out in a new direction while maintaining “optimism, vision, and courage.”
Gelb uses Columbus to point out that we can model his traits to find success in our own lives, careers, and families by:
- Cultivating optimism in the face of adversity – “Individuals and organizations who view their setbacks in the context of progress are much more likely to continue in their efforts towards success.” Approach the Monarch with your plan.
- Learn optimism – “When optimists confront misfortune or bad news they react differently. Optimists don’t take it personally.” It takes less effort to be optimistic.
- Become aware of your own coastal boundaries – “Before Columbus, most explorers hugged the coastline because they were uncomfortable with the uncharted waters. If you could summon the optimism, vision, and courage of a Columbus, in what ways would you ‘go perpendicular’ in your life now?”
- Expand your dream – “Columbus was driven by a powerful dream, nurtured from childhood, of discovering a new world.” Make your dream bigger than it already is.
- Cultivate a bias to action – “Try something new, begin working on (it) today.”
Although those critical of Columbus say that he only discovered a land that was unknown to his people, yet long occupied by Native Americans. And that his was not the first voice in claiming the earth was round – and not flat – are just the tip of controversy that minimize the accomplishments of a young explorer. Hey, it may have been Ford who invented the car, but Ferrarri, through his vision, perfected it. The greatness of Columbus comes from his attributes. And as Gelb points out, “it is easy to criticize others while standing safely on the shore.”
Many important discoveries in industry and science were made by trying to do something else, such as Alexander Graham Bell hoping to make a hearing aid, wound up with the telephone. It is the guy who gets in the boat and goes that matters. If we can step back and look at Columbus by the credentials of his character we can see the son of a cloth weaver who rose to nobility by the persistence to his vision and by having the courage and determination to see it through.
Discover Your Genius. How to Think Like History’s Ten Most Revolutionary Minds. By Michael J. Gelb Harper Collins Publishers. 2002.